The Fiat Uno is a supermini car A supermini is a British car classification term that describes automobiles larger than a city car but smaller than a small family car. This car class is also known as the B-segment across Europe, and as Subcompact in North America produced by the Italian Italy /ˈɪtəli/ (Italian: Italia), officially the Italian Republic (Italian: Repubblica Italiana), is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The manufacturer Fiat Fiat S.p.A., an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial and industrial group based in Turin in the Piedmont region. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli. Fiat has also manufactured tanks and aircraft. As of 2009, Fiat is the world'. The Uno was launched in 1983 and built in its homeland until 1995, with production still taking place in other countries.
Contents |
Uno Mark I (1983–89)
The Uno was launched to replace the ageing Fiat 127 The Fiat 127 is a supermini produced by the Italian automaker Fiat between 1971 and 1983. It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro Giorgetto Giugiaro Garessio, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, is an automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today's ItalDesign Italdesign-Giugiaro S.p.A is an automobile design and engineering company in Turin, Italy. The company was founded in 1968 as Studi Italiani Realizzazione Prototipi S.p.A, working closely with Volkswagen. Today, the company is known for the work of its subsidiary, Giugiaro Design, the domain of famed automobile designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro company, its tall, square body utilising a Kamm tail A Kammback is a car body style that derives from the research of the German aerodynamicist Wunibald Kamm in the 1930s, this research itself deriving from that of another pioneer German aerodynamicist, Baron Reinhard Koenig-Fachsenfeld. "Kammback" is an American coinage. In Europe the design is generally known as a Kamm tail or K-tail achieved a low drag coefficient of 0.34 won it much praise for airy interior space and fuel economy Fuel economy in automobiles is the amount of fuel required to move the automobile over a given distance. While the fuel efficiency of petroleum engines has improved markedly in recent decades, , this does not necessarily translate into better fuel economy, if larger and heavier vehicles are used, or if that efficiency is used to produce faster. It incorporated many packaging lessons learnt from Giugiaro's 1978 Lancia Megagamma The Lancia Megagamma minivan is a concept car designed by Italdesign in 1978 and introduced the same year at the Turin Motor Show. It can be seen as the forerunner of modern MPVs. The car never reached production phase, because it was seen as a too risky and low selling model by Lancia's parent company Fiat and its CEO Umberto Agnelli. This concept car (the first modern people carrier / MPV / mini-van) but miniaturised. Its tall car / high seating packaging is imitated by every small car today. It reversed the trend for lower and lower built cars. It showed that not just low sleek cars could be aerodynamic, but small, roomy, boxy well packaged cars could be too. It was voted European Car of the Year The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar (UK), Autopista (Spain), Autovisie (Netherlands), L'Automobile Magazine (France), Stern (Germany) and Vi Bilägare (Sweden) in 1984.[3]
Initially, the Uno was offered with the 0.9 litre (903 cc) OHV An overhead valve engine, also called pushrod engine or I-head engine is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft in the cylinder block (usually beside and slightly above the crankshaft in a straight engine or directly above the crankshaft in the V of a V engine) and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder head to, 1.1 litre (1116 cc), and 1.3 litre (1301 cc) 138-series SOHC Overhead camshaft, commonly abbreviated to OHC, valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods petrol engines.[4] The 1.3 (1300 cc) diesel (not for the UK market) engine was launched a couple of months later. The Uno's badging was not by the commonly used measurement of engine size but by bhp Horsepower is the name of several non-SI units of power. It was originally defined to allow the output of steam engines to be measured and compared with the power output of draft horses. The horsepower was widely adopted to measure the output of piston engines, turbines, electric motors and other machinery. Different regions adopted different: 45, 55, 60, 75 or 90. The Uno was available as either a 3 or 5-door hatchback Hatchback is a term designating an automobile design, containing a passenger cabin with an integrated cargo space, accessed from behind the vehicle by a single, top-hinged tailgate or large flip-up window. The vehicle commonly has two rows of seats, with the rear seat able to fold down to increase cargo space. It also featured ergonomic Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability "pod" switchgear clusters each side of the main instrument binnacle, (that could be operated without removing the driver's hands from the steering wheel), although indicators remained on a stalk; an unusual arrangement similar to that used by Citroen Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer. Founded in 1919 by André Citroën, it was the world's first mass-production car company outside of the USA. Since 1976 it has been part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, and its headquarters is on rue Fructidor, Paris.
The Uno had MacPherson strut The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot, widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson who developed the design, based in part on designs created by Guido Fornaca of FIAT in the mid-1920s. It is possible the MacPherson was inspired by the independent front suspension and twist-beam rear suspension The twist-beam rear suspension, also known as torsion-beam axle is a type of automobile suspension based on a large H or C shaped member. The front of the H attaches to the body via rubber bushings, and the rear of the H carries each stub-axle assembly, on each side of the car. The cross beam of the H holds the two trailing arms together, and with telescopic dampers and coil springs, similar to that pioneered by the Volkswagen Golf. This gave good roadholding and handling, but the ride quality was not as good as rival cars like the Peugeot 205 The Peugeot 205 is a supermini produced by the French car manufacturer Peugeot between 1983 and 1997. It was declared 'Car of the Decade' by CAR magazine in 1990 with all round fully independent suspensions.
From 1985, the 1.0 litre (999 cc) SOHC Fully Integrated Robotised Engine The FIRE is a series of automobile engines from Fiat. It is constructed by robot assembly plants ("Robogate") to reduce costs. The FIRE series replaced the old Fiat OHV engine in the mid-1980s (FIRE) powerplant was offered. This was a lighter engine, built with fewer parts, and gave improved performance and economy. Also in 1985, the hot hatch version - Uno Turbo - was launched, with an IHI turbocharged Ritmo/Strada The 1978 Fiat Ritmo, styled by Bertone of Italy, 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 Britain, Canada and the U.S. as the Fiat Strada. During its production which ran from 1978 to 1988, a total of 1,790,000 were made-derived 1.3 146-series engine, initially offering 105 bhp (78 kW). It was priced to compete with the Peugeot 205 GTI.[4]
In 1987, a 1.7 litre diesel engined version - the 60DS -was launched. It was no more economical or faster than the 1.0L FIRE engined models but was far noisier, and the extra weight upset the cars handling. It was more popular in continental Europe than in the UK, due to diesel being substantially less taxed there, than in the UK. It was outclassed by the XUD powered Peugeot 205 diesel.
Also in 1987, the Uno Selecta continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission is a transmission which can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that only allow a few different distinct gear ratios to be selected. The flexibility of a CVT allows the driving shaft to (CVT) automatic was launched. The CVT transmission was a co-development with Dutch Van Doorne and Ford, (Fiat owned 24% stake of Van Doorne at that time).[4]. Unfortunately it was not very durable.[citation needed]
Uno Mark II (1989–95)
A second generation Fiat UnoIn September 1989, the Uno was given a major facelift, which saw updated bodywork at the nose and a different tailgate, that improved the drag coefficient to Cd 0.30[4], and matched the corporate look of the then new Fiat Tipo. The interior was also revised. The pod switchgear was replaced by stalks and an effort was made to stop the dashboard rattles of the Mark I. At this time, the old 1.1 litre engine was replaced by a new FIRE version, and a new 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-derived 1.4 litre engine replaced the Ritmo/Strada-derived 1.3 litre in both naturally aspirated and turbo versions. The Uno Turbo i.e. variant was also restyled, upgraded with a Garret T2 turbine, Bosch LH Jetronic fuel injection and better aerodynamics.
Uno production ceased in Italy in 1995, with sales throughout Western Europe stopping at the same time. A total of 6,032,911 units were built in Fiat's Italian factories.[4] The Uno's replacement in Western Europe was the Fiat Punto The Fiat Punto is a supermini produced by the Italian manufacturer, Fiat, since 1993. It is currently in its third generation, which was launched in early 1994.
Engines (Mark I and Mark II) [2][5]
Petrol
Diesel
| Engine | Layout | Displacement | Valves | Power | Torque | Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3D | I4 | 1301 cc | 8 SOHC | 45 PS (33 kW) @ 4200 rpm | 112 N·m (83 lb·ft) @ 2000 rpm | 1983-1989 |
| 1.4 TD | I4 | 1367 cc | 8 SOHC | 72 PS (53 kW) @ 4800 rpm | 128 N·m (94 lb·ft) @ 2500 rpm | 1986-1995 |
| 1.7 60D | I4 | 1697 cc | 8 SOHC | 58 PS (43 kW) @ 4600 rpm | 100 N·m (74 lb·ft) @ 2900 rpm | 1986-1995 |
Continuing global production: 1995–present
Brazilian Fiat MilleAfter Western European production and sales ceased, the Uno continued to be manufactured and sold in many other regions.
South Africa
In South Africa, the Uno was assembled under licence by Nissan from 1990 until 1998 and then by Fiat from 1998 up until 2006. Unos manufactured by Nissan had the word licence underneath the Fiat badge on the rear end and models included the 1100 cc FIRE as well as the 1400cc PACER, PACER SX and TURBO. There were also a number of special editions produced including the Beat and the Rio, these also featured the 1400 engine. After Fiat re-entered South Africa in 1998 Unos were rebadged as either the 1100 Mia or 1400 Tempo. They also featured the Fiat centenary badge from that point on. By the time initial production of the Uno ended in 2006 only the 3 door Mia was available for sale. [6][7] 110,000 units were produced between 1990 and 2002.
In 2007, the Fiat Uno was redesigned and it re-entered the South African new car market. The car was now marketed and distributed by Fiat themselves. The model line-up includes the Uno Way, which has a higher suspension than the regular Uno and colour-coded bumpers. It is based on the 1983-1990 design, and is powered by a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine.[8]
Poland
Production in Fiat's factory in Poland ran until 2002. 173,382 units were built from June 1995 to October 2002.
Brazil
The car is still sold in Brazil, where a saloon version called the Fiat Prêmio (exported also as Fiat Duna), and an estate called the Fiat Elba (exported also as Duna Weekend or Innocenti Elba) were also available.[4]
The Brazilian Uno featured an independent, transverse leaf spring suspension at the rear, based on the tried and tested Brazilian Fiat 147 (similar to the Italian Fiat 127). The design of the hood was also unique, since the Brazilian Uno kept the spare tire located in the engine bay, like the old Fiat 147.
The Fiat Uno family, in Brazil, had a turbocharged 1.4-litre four inline sports version in the early 1990s. This car was sold as a normal production vehicle.
Currently, the car is sold as the Fiat Mille, as a budget entry-level model, and received its most recent facelift for the 2004 model year. The 2005 Brazilian range has received a Flex Fuel system, enabling the car to use ethanol or gasoline as fuel, both pure or in any proportion mixture; plus, there is a version fitted for unpaved roads called Mille Way, which includes a more resilient suspension, larger wheels and side protections. From April 1988 until 2006, up to 2,000,000 Fiat Unos were made in Brazil.
Argentina
In Argentina, the Fiat Uno was produced from March 1989 to 2000, 179,767 units were built. A specific saloon version with four doors was also produced from 1988 to 2000. Called Duna or Elba, 257,259 units of this version were built in Fiat's Córdoba plant.
Pakistan
The Fiat Uno is also assembled from Complete knock down (CKD) kits in Pakistan by Raja Motor Company, and the recently upgraded (as of 2006) Brazilian-built right-hand drive Uno's are being exported to South Africa.[9]
Morocco
The Fiat Uno was also assembled in Morocco until 2004 by SOMACA (Société Marocaine des Constructions Automobiles), and remains a popular choice of car for "petit-taxi" use.[10]
Future
| This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle. |
The Fiat Uno may make a comeback in a few years, as a model that would sit in between the new 500 and the Punto. If this proceeds, it is to be built on a shortened version of a Punto platform and therefore would be lighter.[11] It will compete with the likes of Citroen C2, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 206 as the 500 competes with Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, Ford Ka and Peugeot 107.[citation needed]
Sales performance
United Kingdom
The Uno was quite popular in Britain, with 190,000 Mark I examples sold between 1983 and 1989, but only around 5,000 are reported to be still in circulation. Because of this, the Fiat Uno was the 10th most-scrapped car on Britain's roads in 2006,[citation needed] according to a survey by Auto Express magazine.[12]
New Zealand
The Uno was a surprise hit for Fiat in New Zealand as well, where a combination of low prices and well received styling saw over 1000 Unos a year moved right up until the late 1980s, with the 3000th New Zealand Uno being celebrated in December 1988. Few Unos remain on the road in 2008, however, with rust being the most common factor.[citation needed]
Fame and notoriety
| This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be and removed. (March 2009) |
A white Uno has been alleged to have been involved in the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, on August 31, 1997. However, the car and its driver have never been traced.
Stolen Fiat Unos were used by the infamous 'Uno Bianca' gang in Italy in the early 1990s; they were easy to steal, as most of them lacked an immobilizer, and being a very common model it was easier to get away after committing robberies.
References
- ^ Larry Luxner (1996). "Exports, outer tariffs keep Ecuador car industry afloat". luxner.com. Ward's Automotive International. http://www.luxner.com/cgi-bin/view_article.cgi?articleID=211. Retrieved on 2009-06-19.
- ^ a b "Fiat Uno". carfolio.com. http://www.carfolio.com/search/results/?terms=Fiat+Uno. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
- ^ "Previous_Cars". caroftheyear.org. http://www.caroftheyear.org/pages/Previous_Cars/1984.htm. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ a b c d e f "Fiat Uno". carsfromitaly.net. http://www.carsfromitaly.net/fiat/index.html. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Fiat Uno". fiatuno.pl. http://team.fiatuno.pl/index.php?id=wyswietl&go=modele. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
- ^ "Connexion D Fiat Uno/Nissan". berridge.dial.pipex.com. http://www.dberridge.dial.pipex.com/connexiond.htm. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Nissan and Fiat terminate assembly agreement". autoworld.co.za. http://www.autoworld.co.za/autonews/viewart.asp?id=4511. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Fiat Uno 2007 Model". fiat.co.za. http://www.fiat.co.za/showroom/solutions.jsp?item_id=1000388714. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
- ^ "Fiat, GM to launch cars in Pakistan by June". atimes.com. http://www.atimes.com/bizasia/BC28Aa01.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-31.
- ^ "Industry: Renault buys more of Moroccan car firm". channel4.com. http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=12160&ref=archive. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Fiat Uno to make a comeback". autocar.co.uk. http://autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Fiat-Uno/226334/. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ "Motoring". independent.co.uk. http://www.independent.co.uk/living/motoring/features/article2433061.ece. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fiat Uno |
| — Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. car timeline, European market, 1980s–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| City cars | 126 | Cinquecento | Seicento (1998-2005) / 600 (2005-Present) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panda I | Panda II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supermini | 127 | Uno | Punto I | Punto II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grande Punto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car | Ritmo | Tipo | Bravo / Brava | Stilo | Bravo II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 131 | Regata | Tempra | Marea | Linea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Albea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large family car | 132 | Argenta | Croma I | Croma II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | Coupé | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | 124 Spider | Barchetta | Barchetta | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports car | X1/9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panel van/Leisure activity vehicle | Fiorino I | Fiorino II | Fiorino III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Doblò | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini SUV | Sedici | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini MPV | Idea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact MPV | Multipla | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large MPV | Ulysse I | Ulysse II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Daily* | Scudo I | Scudo II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ducato I | Ducato II | Ducato III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mini Pickup | Strada | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-road | Campagnola (1107) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Rebadged Iveco model | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Categories: Upcoming automobiles | Fiat vehicles | Subcompact cars | Hatchbacks | Vehicles with CVT transmission | Front wheel drive vehicles | 1980s automobiles | 1990s automobiles | 2000s automobiles | Vehicles introduced in 1983
|
Nathan McDonald
Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:25:52 GM
wheeldeals's status on Friday, 12-Jun-09 17:25:52 UTC.
