Fiat Tempra
Encyclopedia
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
(project Tipo 2) and the bigger Fiat Croma
(project Tipo 4). The Tempra shares its Type Three platform
with the Lancia Dedra
and Alfa Romeo 155
.
The Tempra was awarded the 1991 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
in Ireland.
, September 1991. First seen in September 1992, a two-door coupé version of it was produced exclusively for the Brazilian market. It was built until 1995 and a turbocharged petrol version was also available there.
and thus all models from 1992 on had catalytic converters and electronic injection. Transmission was a standard five speed manual, but for the first time a mid size sedan was offered as with a continuously variable transmission
which was previously available on the Fiat Uno
, Panda
, Ritmo
and Tipo. This, called the "Selecta", was available only with the 1.6 litre engine with either bodystyle. As of July 1991, the 2.0-litre SX model became available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Presented in Geneva 1992 (March), there was a version of the station wagon which offered the 2-litre engine combined with permanent four-wheel drive.
During its 6 year production run, few changes were made apart from a minor facelift in 1993 resulting in a new front grille and other minor styling changes.
Chassis and main parts (most notably, the doors) were shared with the Fiat Tipo. Other vehicles, derived from the same project were Lancia Dedra
(Tempra's most similar cousin, sharing all mechanical components), Lancia Delta
second generation, Alfa Romeo 155
, Alfa 145
and Alfa 146.
Only two trim levels were available in its early years: standard (S) and SX, both reasonably equipped considering the Tempra's low price.
SX models for example, featured power windows, power locks, adjustable belts and steering wheel, front fog lights, body coloured bumpers, velvet upholstery, a futuristic digital dashboard and many other standard extras. They were also available with optional extras like anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, sunroof, electronic climate control, etc.
A facelift in April 1993 featured more trim levels, now ranging from the standard models ("L" in the UK, where it was only available with 1.4 engine) via the S and SX to the top SLX, which was only available with 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines. An optional driver's airbag was another innovation that year.
There was also the Marengo, a name also used before with the Regata and later with the Marea
. This is a commercial version of the Tempra which was based on the Station Wagon version but with basic equipment and no rear seats.
, a popular Italian motoring magazine, reported some failures and defects with the Tempra. The first issue to be reported was some water ingress through the windscreen seals, an issue that previously plagued some other Fiat vehicles, especially Alfa 33
, which in rainy conditions would carry a significant quantity of water on-board. This problem was reported from 1990–92 and was resolved with using a higher quantity of sealant when fitting the glass.
Another reported problem was a high oil consumption, especially the 1,581 cc engine, which was a common defect with Tipo (with the same engine) and Panda (1000 FIRE engine). The same was reported for other Fiat's vehicles, but seemed to disappear with the new 1.6 L 66 kW engine.
On the same model, from 1994, the car started to show some electronic malfunctions, with items such as the electronic control unit
, code key and electric system. A design flaw of the Tempra was that its rear window was too small and inclined and the tail too tall, so that rear visibility was poor. This issue was common with the 155 and Dedra, and was one of the reason the estate had more success than the saloon, especially in the UK.
0.297) and only 17.2 PS subtracted at 100 kilometre per hour, which was the best result among all the rivals.
, which is based on the Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava platform, the replacements for the Tempra's sister car the Fiat Tipo
.
In Brazil 204,795 Tempras were produced in eight years, and in Turkey, where the car was manufactured by Tofaş
from 1990 until 1995, 129,590 were made.
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
from 1990 to 1998. The Tempra was intended as a replacement for the Fiat Regata
Fiat Regata
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 original project was called Tipo 3, being a mid-size car between the Fiat Tipo
Fiat Tipo
The Fiat Tipo is a small family car designed by the IDEA design house and produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1988 and 1995.The Tipo was initially available only as a five-door hatchback. The car was made entirely out of galvanized body panels to avoid rust, and was built on a...
(project Tipo 2) and the bigger Fiat Croma
Fiat Croma
The Fiat Croma is a nameplate used for two automobiles produced by Italian automaker Fiat, one a large family car built from 1985 to 1996 and the other a cross-over wagon built from 2005 to 2011.- Fiat Croma :...
(project Tipo 4). The Tempra shares its Type Three platform
Type Three platform
The Type Three platform was a front wheel drive platform used in the 1980s and 1990s for a range of Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia models and is closely related to the Type Two platform which was used in the Fiat Tipo.-External links:*...
with the Lancia Dedra
Lancia Dedra
The Lancia Dedra is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia from 1989 to 2000. It was initially designed to support, and later to replace, the Prisma that, six years after its launch, was having difficulties to keep in pace with its latest opponents...
and Alfa Romeo 155
Alfa Romeo 155
The Alfa Romeo 155 is a compact executive car produced under the Italian Alfa Romeo marque between 1992 and 1998.-Design:Built to replace the 75 and based on the parent Fiat Group's Type Three platform, the 155 was somewhat larger in dimension than the 75 but evolved its styling from that of its...
.
The Tempra was awarded the 1991 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
Semperit Irish Car of the Year
The Semperit Irish Car of the Year award was established in 1978. It is organised and judged by the Irish Motoring Writers Association . It is sponsored by tyre manufactuer Semperit and specifically by their brand - 'Semperit'....
in Ireland.
Overview
The Tempra saloon was introduced in February 1990 at the Geneva Salon, with the station wagon (marketed as the "Tempra SW") arriving two months later in Turin. The initial engine range comprised 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 petrol units and normally aspirated and turbocharged 1.9-litre diesel units. The car began to be produced in Brazil for Latin American markets after being introduced in ArubaAruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
, September 1991. First seen in September 1992, a two-door coupé version of it was produced exclusively for the Brazilian market. It was built until 1995 and a turbocharged petrol version was also available there.
Mechanics
The Tempra's engine range was similar to that of the Tipo. Initially 1.4 and 1.6-litre models had carburettor engines. Both of these models were discontinued in 1992 due to the new European emission standardsEuropean emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
and thus all models from 1992 on had catalytic converters and electronic injection. Transmission was a standard five speed manual, but for the first time a mid size sedan was offered as with a continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
which was previously available on the Fiat Uno
Fiat Uno
The Fiat Uno is a supermini car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat. The Uno was launched in 1983 and built in its homeland until 1995, with production still taking place in other countries.-First series :...
, Panda
Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda is a city car from the Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat. The first Fiat Panda was introduced in 1980, and was produced until 2003 with only a few changes. It is now sometimes referred to as the "old Panda". The second model, launched in 2003, is sometimes referred to "New Panda"...
, Ritmo
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...
and Tipo. This, called the "Selecta", was available only with the 1.6 litre engine with either bodystyle. As of July 1991, the 2.0-litre SX model became available with an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Presented in Geneva 1992 (March), there was a version of the station wagon which offered the 2-litre engine combined with permanent four-wheel drive.
During its 6 year production run, few changes were made apart from a minor facelift in 1993 resulting in a new front grille and other minor styling changes.
Chassis and main parts (most notably, the doors) were shared with the Fiat Tipo. Other vehicles, derived from the same project were Lancia Dedra
Lancia Dedra
The Lancia Dedra is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia from 1989 to 2000. It was initially designed to support, and later to replace, the Prisma that, six years after its launch, was having difficulties to keep in pace with its latest opponents...
(Tempra's most similar cousin, sharing all mechanical components), Lancia Delta
Lancia Delta
The Lancia Delta is a small family car produced by Italian automaker Lancia with the first generation being produced between 1979 and 1994, the second generation running from 1993 until 1999, and the third generation Delta entering production in 2008. It was first shown inFrankfurt Motor Show in 1979...
second generation, Alfa Romeo 155
Alfa Romeo 155
The Alfa Romeo 155 is a compact executive car produced under the Italian Alfa Romeo marque between 1992 and 1998.-Design:Built to replace the 75 and based on the parent Fiat Group's Type Three platform, the 155 was somewhat larger in dimension than the 75 but evolved its styling from that of its...
, Alfa 145
Alfa Romeo 145
The Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 are small family cars produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1994 and 2001. They were launched at the 1994 Turin Motor Show...
and Alfa 146.
Equipment and trim levels
Fiat Marengo (Tempra commercial) |
Only two trim levels were available in its early years: standard (S) and SX, both reasonably equipped considering the Tempra's low price.
SX models for example, featured power windows, power locks, adjustable belts and steering wheel, front fog lights, body coloured bumpers, velvet upholstery, a futuristic digital dashboard and many other standard extras. They were also available with optional extras like anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, sunroof, electronic climate control, etc.
A facelift in April 1993 featured more trim levels, now ranging from the standard models ("L" in the UK, where it was only available with 1.4 engine) via the S and SX to the top SLX, which was only available with 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines. An optional driver's airbag was another innovation that year.
There was also the Marengo, a name also used before with the Regata and later with the Marea
Fiat Marea
The Fiat Marea is a small family car available as a saloon and an estate , produced by the Italian automaker Fiat. Launched in 1996, the Marea models were essentially different body styles of Fiat's hatchback offerings, the Bravo and Brava. The Marea replaced the earlier Tipo-based Fiat Tempra...
. This is a commercial version of the Tempra which was based on the Station Wagon version but with basic equipment and no rear seats.
Reports
QuattroruoteQuattroruote
Quattroruote is an Italian automobile magazine established by the Marchigian entrepreneur Gianni Mazzocchi in February 1956, for the "average driver"...
, a popular Italian motoring magazine, reported some failures and defects with the Tempra. The first issue to be reported was some water ingress through the windscreen seals, an issue that previously plagued some other Fiat vehicles, especially Alfa 33
Alfa Romeo 33
The Alfa Romeo 33 is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1995. It was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals albeit with some minor modifications...
, which in rainy conditions would carry a significant quantity of water on-board. This problem was reported from 1990–92 and was resolved with using a higher quantity of sealant when fitting the glass.
Another reported problem was a high oil consumption, especially the 1,581 cc engine, which was a common defect with Tipo (with the same engine) and Panda (1000 FIRE engine). The same was reported for other Fiat's vehicles, but seemed to disappear with the new 1.6 L 66 kW engine.
On the same model, from 1994, the car started to show some electronic malfunctions, with items such as the electronic control unit
Electronic control unit
In automotive electronics, electronic control unit is a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle....
, code key and electric system. A design flaw of the Tempra was that its rear window was too small and inclined and the tail too tall, so that rear visibility was poor. This issue was common with the 155 and Dedra, and was one of the reason the estate had more success than the saloon, especially in the UK.
Qualities
Since the beginning, the Tempra was presented as a cheap and reliable car. 1.4 and 1.6 engines were able to run long distances with good fuel economy, also aided by a high capacity tanks of 65 l (17 US gal; 14 imp gal) for the sedan and 70 l (18 US gal; 15 imp gal) for the Station Wagon. Average range for a 55 kW 1.6 litre sedan was around 920 km (572 mi) (14 kilometres per litre), and consumption at constant speed was of 16.5 kilometres per litre at 90 kilometre per hour and 11.6 kilometres per litre at 130 kilometre per hour. All these were aided by a favorable aerodynamic (CxDrag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
0.297) and only 17.2 PS subtracted at 100 kilometre per hour, which was the best result among all the rivals.
End of production
The Tempra was discontinued in Europe in 1996, and in Brazil in 1998. It was replaced by the Fiat MareaFiat Marea
The Fiat Marea is a small family car available as a saloon and an estate , produced by the Italian automaker Fiat. Launched in 1996, the Marea models were essentially different body styles of Fiat's hatchback offerings, the Bravo and Brava. The Marea replaced the earlier Tipo-based Fiat Tempra...
, which is based on the Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava platform, the replacements for the Tempra's sister car the Fiat Tipo
Fiat Tipo
The Fiat Tipo is a small family car designed by the IDEA design house and produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1988 and 1995.The Tipo was initially available only as a five-door hatchback. The car was made entirely out of galvanized body panels to avoid rust, and was built on a...
.
In Brazil 204,795 Tempras were produced in eight years, and in Turkey, where the car was manufactured by Tofaş
Tofas
Tofaş is a Turkish automaker, based in Bursa, Turkey, where also a plant of the company is located. It builds Fiat models under license and also some locally-designed vehicles...
from 1990 until 1995, 129,590 were made.
Engines
| Model | Engine layout | Engine code | Displacement | Power | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 S | 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.... SOHC |
159A2.000 | 1,372 cc | DIN: 57 kW at 6,000 rpm ECE: 56 kW at 6,000 rpm |
DIN: 108 newton metre at 2,900 rpm ECE: 106 newton metre at 2,900 rpm |
carburator |
| 1.4 i.e. | 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.... SOHC |
160A1.046 | 1,372 cc | DIN: 52 kW at 6,000 rpm ECE: 51 kW at 6,000 rpm |
DIN: 108 newton metre at 2,900 rpm ECE: 106 newton metre at 3,000 rpm |
cat and fuel injection |
| 1.6 S | 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.... SOHC |
159A3.000 | 1,581 cc | DIN: 63 kW at 5,800 rpm ECE: 62 kW at 5,800 rpm |
DIN: 132 newton metre at 2,900 rpm ECE: 130 newton metre at 2,900 rpm |
carburator |
| 1.6 i.e. | 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.... SOHC |
159A3.000 | 1,581 cc | DIN: 59 kW at 6,000 rpm ECE: 57 kW at 6,000 rpm |
DIN: 128 newton metre at 3,000 rpm ECE: 124 newton metre at 3,000 rpm |
cat and fuel injection (until 1992) |
| 1.6 i.e. | 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.... SOHC |
835C1.000 159A3.048 (Selecta) |
1,581 cc | DIN: 56 kW at 6,000 rpm ECE: 55 kW at 6,000 rpm |
DIN: 128 newton metre at 3,000 rpm ECE: 125 newton metre at 3,000 rpm |
cat and fuel injection (after 1992) |
| 1.8 i.e. | 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.... DOHC |
159A4.000 | 1,756 cc | DIN: 81 kW at 6,000 rpm ECE: 80 kW at 6,000 rpm |
DIN: 142 newton metre at 2,500 rpm ECE: 140 newton metre at 2,500 rpm |
fuel injection |
| 1.8 i.e. | 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.... DOHC |
835C2.000 | 1,756 cc | DIN: 77 kW at 6,000 rpm ECE: 76 kW at 6,000 rpm |
DIN: 140 newton metre at 3,000 rpm ECE: 137 newton metre at 3,000 rpm |
cat and fuel injection, 1992– 66 kW DIN in some markets |
| 2.0 | 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.... 8V DOHC |
1,995 cc | DIN: 71 kW at 5,250 rpm | DIN: 159 newton metre at 3,000 rpm | carburetted Brazilian model | |
| 2.0 i.e. | 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.... 8V DOHC |
159A6.046 | 1,995 cc | DIN: 115 PS at 5,750 rpm ECE: 83 kW at 5,750 rpm |
DIN: 159 newton metre at 3,300 rpm ECE: 156 newton metre at 3,300 rpm |
cat and fuel injection |
| 2.0 i.e. 16V | 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.... 16V DOHC |
1,995 cc | DIN: 92 kW at 5,750 rpm | DIN: 177 newton metre at 4,750 rpm | Brazilian model | |
| 2.0 i.e. Turbo | 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.... 8V DOHC |
1,995 cc | 121 kW (165 PS) | (1993-1996 2-door and 1995-1998 4-door Tempra Turbo Stile) Brazilian model |
||
| 1.9 D | 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.... SOHC |
160A7.000 | 1,929 cc | DIN: 48 kW at 4,600 rpm | 119 newton metre at 2,000 rpm | |
| 1.9 TD | 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.... SOHC |
160A6.000 | 1,929 cc | DIN: 60 kW at 4,000 rpm ECE: 59 kW at 4,000 rpm |
DIN: 173 newton metre at 2,800 rpm |
with EGR |
| 1.9 TD | 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.... SOHC |
160A6.000 | 1,929 cc | DIN: 68 kW at 4,100 rpm ECE: 66 kW at 4,100 rpm |
DIN: 191 newton metre at 2,400 rpm ECE: 186 newton metre at 2,400 rpm |