2.0 20v Turbo

Replacing the 2.0 16v Turbo engine, Fiat introduced the blown version of the 2.0 20v 5 cylinder block. This new top model, the 2.0 20v Turbo, came equipped with a Garret Turbo. The figures speak for themselves: 220bhp, 6.5 seconds to 0-100 km/h (62mph), a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph)... As the fastest Fiat of all time and the fastest front wheel drive production car when it was launched, the new 20V Turbo is a piece of company history and is the last true performance sports car Fiat produced.

The 20vt had great road holding capabilities. The safe choice of front wheel drive meant this car was easy to drive extremely hard. The 20vt would make Porsches run for their lives while Ferrari's of the day would keep a watchful eye in the rear view mirror just figuring out what's following them.

Initially, the 462 Sprint Blue colour was only available on the Turbo version. According to Fiat, this colour enhanced the physical appearance of the Coupe. It's a difficult colour to capture on a photograph, it somehow adapts to the lighting conditions, sometimes being a slight purple, sometimes pale blue, and sometimes darker blue. Even Fiat didn't really manage to replicate it in the brochures.

The 20v Turbo model quickly became the most succesful model of the range in the UK. This in stark contrast with many countries on the continent where large tax and insurance loads were put on the car. In Belgium for example, registering the car cost 5.000 euro (3.350 GBP) while yearly road tax was 1.500 euro (1.000 GBP).

In 1999, the 20v Turbo got an update: a 6-speed gearbox (first introduced by the Limited Edition version), a big satin gloss starter button, body coloured sills, 8-spoke wheels (first introduced by the Plus version)... and in 2000 Fiat introduced seats with side airbags.

2.0 20v Turbo specs

* Acceleration figures measured carrying 2 people + 20 kg luggage.
** Equals 0-62 mph.

Source: fiatcoupe.net

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