Fiat Coupé 20V Turbo
The Fiat Coupé 20V Turbo was a front-engine, front-wheel-drive two-door coupe powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine. It was part of the Type 175 Fiat Coupé range and used a five-speed manual transmission in standard 20V Turbo form.
Model Overview
The Fiat Coupé was introduced in the 1990s as a two-door coupe using Fiat Group front-wheel-drive architecture. The 20V Turbo version replaced the earlier four-cylinder turbo model and used a five-cylinder, 20-valve turbocharged engine.
The 20V Turbo was sold primarily in European markets. Later versions included the Limited Edition and Turbo Plus variants, which added equipment and, in some cases, a six-speed manual transmission. The core 20V Turbo specification remained centered on the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-five engine.
Core Specifications
| Model | Fiat Coupé 20V Turbo |
|---|---|
| Platform / Type | Type 175 |
| Model Years | 1996–2000 |
| Market | Europe and selected export markets |
| Body Style | Two-door coupe, four-seat configuration |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbocharged 20-valve inline-five |
| Displacement | 1,998 cc |
| Valve Train | DOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Induction | Turbocharged and intercooled |
| Horsepower | 220 PS / 217 hp / 162 kW at 5,750 rpm |
| Torque | 310 Nm / 229 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual; selected later versions used a 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,540 mm / 100.0 in |
| Length | 4,250 mm / 167.3 in |
| Width | 1,768 mm / 69.6 in |
| Height | 1,340 mm / 52.8 in |
| Curb Weight | Approximately 1,285–1,310 kg / 2,833–2,888 lb, depending on source and version |
| Claimed Performance | 0–100 km/h in approximately 6.3–6.5 seconds; top speed approximately 250 km/h / 155 mph |
Specification figures vary by source, market, and version. Later Limited Edition and Turbo Plus models may differ in equipment, gearbox, wheels, brakes, and interior details.
Engineering Character
Turbocharged Inline-Five
The 20V Turbo used a 1,998 cc five-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder, turbocharging, and intercooling. Factory output was listed at 220 PS and 310 Nm.
Front-Wheel Drive Layout
The car used a transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. This separated it from rear-wheel-drive coupes of the same period while retaining a conventional Fiat Group drivetrain arrangement.
Coupe Body
The Fiat Coupé used a two-door body with a four-seat cabin. Exterior design was by Chris Bangle at Fiat Centro Stile, with interior work associated with Pininfarina.
Manual Transmission
Standard 20V Turbo models used a five-speed manual transmission. Later special versions and Turbo Plus models are associated with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Version Notes
| 20V Turbo | Core five-cylinder turbo model introduced after the earlier 16-valve turbo version. Rated at 220 PS / 217 hp in factory specification. |
|---|---|
| Limited Edition | Later equipment-focused version with model-specific trim and mechanical details. Specification varies by market and production year. |
| Turbo Plus | Later high-specification version commonly associated with a six-speed manual transmission, larger brakes, body details, and revised equipment. |
Modern Enthusiast Relevance
- 2.0-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine
- 220 PS factory output
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive coupe layout
- Five-speed manual transmission in standard 20V Turbo form
- Six-speed manual availability on selected later versions
- Type 175 Fiat Coupé platform
- European-market performance coupe positioning
Comparable Cars
Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6
Front-wheel-drive Italian coupe from the same general period. It used a naturally aspirated V6 rather than a turbocharged inline-five.
Volkswagen Corrado VR6
European front-wheel-drive performance coupe with a compact six-cylinder engine. It occupied a related market space but used a different engine configuration.
Nissan 200SX S14
Turbocharged four-cylinder coupe from the same period. It used a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout rather than front-wheel drive.
Peugeot 406 Coupé V6
Front-wheel-drive European coupe with Pininfarina styling. It was positioned more toward grand touring use and used a naturally aspirated V6.
Buying And Ownership Notes
Evaluation should focus on turbocharger condition, cooling-system condition, timing-belt service history, clutch and gearbox operation, brake condition, corrosion, electrical systems, and previous modification quality.
The 20V Turbo engine bay is tightly packaged. Maintenance access, parts availability, and documentation should be considered when comparing examples.
MSC Taxonomy
Summary
The Fiat Coupé 20V Turbo is a Type 175 European-market coupe powered by a 1,998 cc turbocharged 20-valve inline-five. It used a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, manual transmission, and factory output of 220 PS and 310 Nm.