Here's to the forgotten Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo

"BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo" (bluemazda2)
06/13/2018 at 12:00 • Filed to: Fiat Coupe, 20V Turbo, Bangle Butt

As much as we all remember 90s European sports cars such as the E36 M3 and the 986 Boxster, some gems of the time remain unsung heroes whose glory days are long behind them.

Pictured in Blu Elettrico

One of my personal favorites, the Fiat Coupe, specifically the 20V Turbo, faded away into the sands of time far before most of us had even discovered its existence.

This is one of the cars that got me to love cars as a kid. I remember driving a Blu Elettrico one in Gran Turismo wondering why we never got it in the states considering how cool and fast it was.

The OG Bangle Butt

Produced from 1993 to 2000, the Fiat Coupe was Fiat’s answer to sporty cars such as the BMW E36 Coupe, Ford Probe, and Alfa Romeo GTV. Penned by Chris Bangle, the car received mixed reviews at the time due to its polarizing aesthetics. It was originally powered by one of two 4-cylinder engines derived from the Lancia Delta. After a short time, the turbocharged one was replaced by a turbocharged 20-valve inline-5, which produced a whopping 220 hp and 230 lb-ft. of torque. It was mated to either a 5-speed or 6-speed manual.

Fiat tried to make its cars sportier in the 90s with the introduction of the Coupe as well as the Barchetta and Punto HGT Abarth. The Barchetta was a front wheel drive competitor to the likes of the BMW Z3, Mazda Miata, MG F, and Audi TT. The Punto HGT Abarth was aimed at the VW Polo GTI.

Although it was very quick in 20V Turbo Plus form, it never rose to the fame it deserved. It hit 60 in only 6.3 seconds and hit 155 mph with only 220 hp, which was unheard of at the time. Not only that, but it was available with Recaro seats and side airbags, which was a big deal at the time. Not to mention the fact that it weighed in at under 3000 lbs, even in 20V Turbo Plus guise.

Its build quality and reliability always kept it from shining as brightly as it could’ve. Combined with the depreciation, the Coupe was eventually discontinued in 2ooo with no replacement. Just under 73,000 Coupes were produced from 1993 to 2000, making it relatively rare. Fast forward 18 years, and we find that the Coupe only gets rarer with every day that passes.

The best part? We can import them as of this year. Not the 20V, but the regular one for now. The 20V will become eligible as of 2021, which means we still have a few years to wait. By 2025, we’ll get the finest of the bunch, the 20V Turbo Plus. They’re pretty cheap in Europe, but it’ll be hard to find a clean one with low miles.

As a matter of fact, not only was it in Gran Turismo, but it was also a DLC car in Forza 4

Not to mention the fact that it was featured in season 11 of Top Gear as a “police car” with chariot spikes on the rear wheels

Shoutout to JKM for reminding me of this

Although it’s largely forgotten, the 20V Turbo Plus Coupe will always remain one of my favorite Italian cars of all time.

DISCUSSION (6)

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
06/13/2018 at 12:05

I’m a sucker for the Barchetta. I prefer its looks over the 20v Coupe a bit more.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
06/13/2018 at 12:35

Shame there was a better looking Italian coupe from the 90s that stole its thunder.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
06/13/2018 at 12:36

Squeeze the power through the long banked curve

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
06/13/2018 at 13:04

I had a Majorette dinky of one as a kid and always loved it....it’s continued to grow on me as the years go on. Would love to own one someday...

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > winterlegacy, here 'till the end
06/13/2018 at 13:04

I really love the Barchetta as well - they are even quite reliable and not that expensive to import!

Hoccy > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
06/13/2018 at 13:32

I want one, at least when I can deal with the supposed unreliability.