Fiat Regata
Encyclopedia
The Fiat Regata is the saloon version of the Fiat Ritmo
small family car, produced by Italian automaker Fiat. It was produced from 1983 to 1990, corresponding to the post-facelift Ritmo. The Regata had a choice of three gasoline and two diesel engines. The Tofaş Şahin
and Tofaş Doğan, based externally on the Regata but built on the rear wheel drive Fiat 131
chassis, were produced in Turkey until 2002.
Spanish builder SEAT
created a similar saloon car from Ritmo underpinnings called the SEAT Málaga
. Nevertheless, development for the two cars was separate.
, it bore very little external resemblance to the original Ritmo although it hinted strongly at the look of the 1982 face-lift for that car. In the Swedish market the car was called "Regatta", as Regata was uncomfortably close to a derogatory term for an overbearing woman. The same name was used in Latin American markets.
The engines offered were also similar, being the 1301 cc straight-4 rated at 68 PS (Regata 70) and the 1498 cc I4 rated at 82 PS (Regata 85). Both of these were SOHC engines. A DOHC 1585 cc I4 rated at 100 PS (Regata 100) was also available with two SOHC diesels, a 1714 cc straight-4 rated at 58 PS (Regata D) and a 1929 cc straight-4 rated at 65 PS (Regata DS), the latter of which was added in 1984. An economy model called the "ES" ("Energy Saving") was also available, it featured an early start-stop system
. It featured some detail modifications to the aerodynamics, an optimised (higher compression ratio and different valve timing) 1301 cc engine (rated at 65 PS), an engine shut-off system (when idling) and electronic ignition.
The Regata Weekend estate
was introduced in 1984. It was available with the 1.3 L or 1.6 L engines and both diesel engines. Replacing the 131 Panorama
, it featured a folding rear bumper, enabling easier access to the load area. The suspension and brakes were uprated to cope with the extra weight.
, losing some power and becoming the 90ie) whilst a catalysed and fuel-injected 1498 cc unit powered the 75ie. The 85 Automatic was also replaced by the 70 Automatic with a 1.3 L engine rated at 65 PS.
The diesel-powered models also changed slightly. An 80 PS 1929 cc turbodiesel engine was introduced (badged Regata Turbo DS) whilst the 1714 cc unit dropped in capacity to 1697 cc (but gained power to 60 PS and had reduced fuel consumption). This model was simply badged as the Regata D. The weight was also reduced slightly.
Production ceased in 1990, when the Tempra
was introduced.
in Argentina in 1985, where production continued until 1995. As in Sweden, but for unknown reasons, the car was called the Regatta (with two t's) in Latin America. Unlike its European sisters, the car was considered somewhat upmarket in Latin America. The Regatta 85 received a 82 hp 1.5-litre, while a 100S came with a 100 hp 1.6-litre version. Along with a 1987 facelift, the 2000 Twincam replaced the 100S, carrying the same level of equipment but with a larger Twin Cam
2-litre engine with 10 more hp and considerably more torque. The 2000 managed the 0–100 km/h sprint in 9.8 seconds and had a rear spoiler. The Regatta 85 changed names, becoming the Regatta 1.5 S (Super) and SC (Super Confort).
A more thorough facelift in 1988 produced the Regatta Edición II. The engines remained the same until the 1990 model year, when both engines were replaced by the 87 hp 1581 cc engine from the Fiat Tipo. Later a cheaper 1.4 S using the 1372 cc Tipo engine, with 63 hp, was added to the line-up. Production ended in 1995 as the Regata was replaced by the Tempra in Latin America as well. The Regatta Weekend (Station Wagon) was also produced in Argentina between 1986 and 1992, only available with the 1.5 or Tipo 1.6 engines.
The Regata featured strongly in the 1986 film Gung Ho
, centred on a (fictional) Japanese auto manufacturer reopening a shutdown automobile factory in a fictional western Pennsylvania
town, the main model produced by "Assan Motors" were in fact Fiat Regatas in various stages of completion. The factory shots took place in the Fiat plant in Rosario, Argentina
.
manufactured a 1/25 and a 1/41 scale diecast
Regata sedan.
BBurago manufactured a 1/43 version of this car.
Fiat Ritmo
The Fiat Ritmo is an automobile from the Italian manufacturer Fiat, launched in 1978. Styled by Bertone of Italy, it was seen by some as the most distinctive looking small family car in Europe on its launch in 1978 Turin Motorshow. It was badged in Great Britain and North America as the Fiat Strada...
small family car, produced by Italian automaker Fiat. It was produced from 1983 to 1990, corresponding to the post-facelift Ritmo. The Regata had a choice of three gasoline and two diesel engines. The Tofaş Şahin
Tofas Sahin
The Tofaş Şahin, Doğan, and Kartal are Turkish versions of the old Fiat 131 automobile made in Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi A.S. facilities in Bursa, Turkey. While şahin means "hawk" in Turkish, kartal means "eagle" and doğan means "falcon"...
and Tofaş Doğan, based externally on the Regata but built on the rear wheel drive Fiat 131
Fiat 131
The Fiat 131, additionally called "Mirafiori", is a small/medium family car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Fiat from 1974 to 1984. It was exhibited at 1974 Turin Motor Show....
chassis, were produced in Turkey until 2002.
Spanish builder SEAT
SEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
created a similar saloon car from Ritmo underpinnings called the SEAT Málaga
SEAT Málaga
The SEAT Málaga is a four-door saloon produced by the Spanish automaker SEAT from 1985 to 1992, named after the city of Málaga in Andalucía, southern Spain....
. Nevertheless, development for the two cars was separate.
1983
The Regata, released at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1983, was developed from the pre-facelift Ritmo (which had been known in United Kingdom and United States markets as the Fiat Strada) and utilised almost all the mechanicals, although the wheelbase was stretched slightly. A conventional four-door three-box designThree-box styling
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a coupé, sedan, notchback or hatchback where — when viewed in profile — principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo....
, it bore very little external resemblance to the original Ritmo although it hinted strongly at the look of the 1982 face-lift for that car. In the Swedish market the car was called "Regatta", as Regata was uncomfortably close to a derogatory term for an overbearing woman. The same name was used in Latin American markets.
The engines offered were also similar, being the 1301 cc straight-4 rated at 68 PS (Regata 70) and the 1498 cc I4 rated at 82 PS (Regata 85). Both of these were SOHC engines. A DOHC 1585 cc I4 rated at 100 PS (Regata 100) was also available with two SOHC diesels, a 1714 cc straight-4 rated at 58 PS (Regata D) and a 1929 cc straight-4 rated at 65 PS (Regata DS), the latter of which was added in 1984. An economy model called the "ES" ("Energy Saving") was also available, it featured an early start-stop system
Start-stop system
In automobiles, a start-stop system or stop-start system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing emissions...
. It featured some detail modifications to the aerodynamics, an optimised (higher compression ratio and different valve timing) 1301 cc engine (rated at 65 PS), an engine shut-off system (when idling) and electronic ignition.
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
was introduced in 1984. It was available with the 1.3 L or 1.6 L engines and both diesel engines. Replacing the 131 Panorama
Fiat 131
The Fiat 131, additionally called "Mirafiori", is a small/medium family car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Fiat from 1974 to 1984. It was exhibited at 1974 Turin Motor Show....
, it featured a folding rear bumper, enabling easier access to the load area. The suspension and brakes were uprated to cope with the extra weight.
1986
A mid-life update was carried out in 1986, in which numerous small details were changed, most notably new doors with an altered window line. New door handles, grille, bumpers and wheel trims also featured. The 1585 cc engine gained fuel injection to become the 100Si.e. (also available with a catalytic converterCatalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
, losing some power and becoming the 90ie) whilst a catalysed and fuel-injected 1498 cc unit powered the 75ie. The 85 Automatic was also replaced by the 70 Automatic with a 1.3 L engine rated at 65 PS.
The diesel-powered models also changed slightly. An 80 PS 1929 cc turbodiesel engine was introduced (badged Regata Turbo DS) whilst the 1714 cc unit dropped in capacity to 1697 cc (but gained power to 60 PS and had reduced fuel consumption). This model was simply badged as the Regata D. The weight was also reduced slightly.
Production ceased in 1990, when the Tempra
Fiat Tempra
The Fiat Tempra is a small family car produced by Italian automaker Fiat from 1990 to 1998. The Tempra was intended as a replacement for the Fiat Regata. The original project was called Tipo 3, being a mid-size car between the Fiat Tipo and the bigger Fiat Croma...
was introduced.
Sevel production
The Regata started production by SevelSevel Argentina S.A.
Sevel Argentina was an automobile company that produced and marketed Fiat, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, and Citroën automobiles for the Argentinian market until it was dissolved in 1999...
in Argentina in 1985, where production continued until 1995. As in Sweden, but for unknown reasons, the car was called the Regatta (with two t's) in Latin America. Unlike its European sisters, the car was considered somewhat upmarket in Latin America. The Regatta 85 received a 82 hp 1.5-litre, while a 100S came with a 100 hp 1.6-litre version. Along with a 1987 facelift, the 2000 Twincam replaced the 100S, carrying the same level of equipment but with a larger Twin Cam
Fiat Twin Cam engine
Designed by Aurelio Lampredi the Fiat Twin Cam was an advanced inline-4 automobile engine produced from 1959 through 1994 as a Fiat/Lancia engine until it was replaced by the "family B" series of engines...
2-litre engine with 10 more hp and considerably more torque. The 2000 managed the 0–100 km/h sprint in 9.8 seconds and had a rear spoiler. The Regatta 85 changed names, becoming the Regatta 1.5 S (Super) and SC (Super Confort).
A more thorough facelift in 1988 produced the Regatta Edición II. The engines remained the same until the 1990 model year, when both engines were replaced by the 87 hp 1581 cc engine from the Fiat Tipo. Later a cheaper 1.4 S using the 1372 cc Tipo engine, with 63 hp, was added to the line-up. Production ended in 1995 as the Regata was replaced by the Tempra in Latin America as well. The Regatta Weekend (Station Wagon) was also produced in Argentina between 1986 and 1992, only available with the 1.5 or Tipo 1.6 engines.
Movie roles
Gung Ho (film)
Gung Ho is a 1986 Ron Howard comedy film, released by Paramount Pictures, and starring Michael Keaton and Gedde Watanabe. The film's story portrayed the takeover of an American car plant by a Japanese corporation...
, centred on a (fictional) Japanese auto manufacturer reopening a shutdown automobile factory in a fictional western Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
town, the main model produced by "Assan Motors" were in fact Fiat Regatas in various stages of completion. The factory shots took place in the Fiat plant in Rosario, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Petrol
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1301 cc | 48 kW (65 PS) @ 5600 rpm | 100 newton metre @ 3000 rpm |
| 70 | I4 | 1301 cc | 50 kW (68 PS) @ 5700 rpm | 100 newton metre @ 2900 rpm |
| 1.4 S | I4 | 1372 cc | 46 kW (63 PS) @ 5800 rpm | 102 newton metre @ 3000 rpm |
| 75 ie | I4 | 1498 cc | 55 kW (75 PS) @ 5800 rpm | ? Nm @ ? rpm |
| 85, 1.5 S/SC | I4 | 1498 cc | 58 kW (79 PS) @ 5500 rpm (82 PS in Latin America) | 122 newton metre @ 2900 rpm |
| 1.6 S/SC | I4 | 1581 cc | 64 kW (87 PS) @ 6000 rpm | 130 newton metre @ 3000 rpm |
| 90i | I4 | 1585 cc | 66 kW (90 PS) @ 6250 rpm | 122 newton metre @ 4250 rpm |
| 100 S | I4 | 1585 cc | 74 kW (100 PS) @ 5900 rpm | 133 newton metre @ 3800 rpm |
| 100i | I4 | 1585 cc | 74 kW (100 PS) @ 6000 rpm | 128 newton metre @ 4000 rpm |
| 2000 Twincam | I4 | 1995 cc | 81 kW (110 PS) @ 5000 rpm | 163 newton metre @ 3000 rpm |
Diesel
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 D | I4 | 1714 cc | 43 kW (58 PS) @ 4,500 rpm | 103 Nm @ 3,000 rpm | –1986 |
| 1.7 D | I4 | 1697 cc | 44 kW (60 PS) @ ? rpm | ? Nm @ ? rpm | 1986– |
| 1.9 D | I4 | 1929 cc | 48 kW (65 PS) @ ? rpm | ? Nm @ ? rpm | |
| 1.9 TD | I4 | 1929 cc | 59 kW (80 PS) @ ? rpm | ? Nm @ ? rpm |
Scale models
PolistilPolistil
Polistil was a toy company headquartered in Milan, Italy, with production center in Chiari, Brescia. Polistil specialized in diecast metal and plastic vehicles of all sizes. The company also made toy and model tanks, dolls, robots and TV tie-ins...
manufactured a 1/25 and a 1/41 scale diecast
Die-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
Regata sedan.
BBurago manufactured a 1/43 version of this car.