Fiat Coupé

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Fiat Coupé
Image:Fiat Coupe vl blue.jpg
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	1994-2000
Body Styles:	FF compact coupé
Predecessors:	None
Successors:	None
Competitors:	Honda Prelude
Image:Fiat Coupe red hl.jpg

Image:Commons-logo.svg

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The Fiat Coupé (officially titled the Coupé Fiat) was a coupé automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1994 and 2000.

It is most remembered for its distinctive angular design, with unique scalloped side panels. The body was designed by American Chris Bangle using the Fiat Tipo floorpan as a base, while the interior was designed by Pininfarina. The exterior design would foreshadow much of late 1990s and early 2000s car design, acting as a precedent to both Bangle's somewhat notorious work at BMW as well as futuristic angular designs by other marques such as Ford and Renault.

On its launch in 1994, the Coupé was only available with a 16V engine though 1996 brought in a 1.8 L 16V engine, along with a 2 L, 5 cylinder 20V pulling 147 bhp, and a 5 cylinder 20V turbo at 220 bhp. With a 0 - 60 mph time of just over 6 seconds, the turbo was the fastest European front wheel drive car at the time.

1998 saw the release of the Limited Edition which featured upgraded brakes and a body kit. There was a push button to start the car, six-speed gearbox, a strut brace to reduce torque-steer and Recaro seats which offered better support than the standard 20VT seats. Each Limited Edition ("LE") Coupé has a badge by the rear-view mirror which contained that car's unique number (it is rumored that Michael Schumacher was the original owner of LE No. 0001). Originally Fiat stated they were only to build approximately 300 Limited Editions though the final amount was much higher, with numbers as high as 1200 touted by some.

Although prices on the used market are weak, the Coupé is widely tipped by the media and enthusiasts to be a future classic.

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