Fiat 128
| Fiat 128 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| Also called |
Nasr 128 GLS 1300 Zastava 128/101 SEAT 128 |
| Production | 1969–1985 (1980-2001 in Yugoslavia) |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Body style | |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Fiat X1/9 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,445 mm (96.3 in) |
| Length | 3,850 mm (151.6 in) |
| Width | 1,590 mm (62.6 in) |
| Height | 1,340 mm (52.8 in) |
| Kerb weight | 750–770 kg (1,653–1,698 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat 1100 R |
| Successor | Fiat Ritmo |
| Fiat 128 Coupé | |
|---|---|
1972 Fiat 128 Coupé SL 1100
|
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1971–75 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,223 mm (87.5 in) |
| Length | 3,808 mm (149.9 in) |
| Width | 1,560 mm (61.4 in) |
| Height | 1,310 mm (51.6 in) |
| Kerb weight | 810–820 kg (1,786–1,808 lb) |
The Fiat 128 is a front-engine, front wheel drive four-passenger small family car manufactured and marketed by Fiat for model years 1969–1985 in two- and four-door sedan, three- and five-door wagon as well as two-door and three-door coupé (128SL/128 3P) variants. The 128 running gear and engine were reconfigured for a mid-engined layout and marketed as the Fiat X1/9.
Named European Car of the Year in 1970, over three million were manufactured.
The 128 was noted for innovating its front-engine, front-drive layout, which enabled an especially large interior volume and ultimately became the predominant front engine/drive layout, worldwide. In 2012, noted automotive journalist Jamie Kitman called the 128 a "pioneer of the small cars we drive today."
With engineering by Dante Giacosa and engine design by Aurelio Lampredi, the 128 was noted for its relatively roomy passenger and cargo volume — enabled by a breakthrough innovation to the front-engine, front-drive layout which became the layout "adopted by virtually every other manufacturer in the world" for front-wheel drive. Fiat promoted in its advertising that mechanical features consumed only 20% of the vehicle's volume and that Enzo Ferrari drove a 128 as his personal vehicle."
Fiat built an entire new plant in Rivalta, north-west of Turin, specifically to manufacture the new 128.
Front-wheel drive had previously been introduced to small, inexpensive cars with the British Mini. As engineered by Alec Issigonis, the compact arrangement located the transmission and engine sharing a single oil sump — despite disparate lubricating requirements — and had the engine's radiator mounted to the side of the engine, away from the flow of fresh air and drawing heated rather than cool air over the engine. The layout often required the engine be removed to service the clutch.
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Wikipedia