Fiat's Repmobile

Fiat has announced its new front wheel drive Tempra Saloon which goes on sale in the UK on September 1st. It is seen by Fiat as a challenger in the most fiercely contested part of the market; that dominated by the Vauxhall Cavalier and Ford Sierra. In accordance with current car manufacturing policy it will be available in six versions with two 1.9 litre diesel engines, one of which is turbocharged.

The 1800cc fuel injected unit is derived from the 2.0-litre engine that powers the Croma. It has a four cylinder, twin overhead camshaft layout, and uses a Weber 1AW electronic management system, with multi-point injection. Although the maximum power output of 110 bhp comes in at a busy 6000 rpm, the torque maximum of 103 lb/ft is reached at a low 2500 rpm. Fuel consumption is competitive at 34 mpg at a constant 75 mph.

The Tempra uses the same manual five-speed transmission as the Tipo and Uno 70 SXie. Front suspension is with MacPherson type struts, gas dampers, an antiroll bar and offset coil springs and both front and rear suspension units are mounted on separate subframes attached to the main body shell.

The braking is power-assisted with discs at front, drums at rear. Fiat see the car as being very competitive against all its rivals, with superior corrosion protection measures, and in the case of the 1.8ie, better acceleration than a comparable Cavalier and Bluebird, and with equal levels of interior equipment. CSR-W