Polonez 2000
| FSO Polonez | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | FSO |
| Also called |
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| Production | 1978-1991 (MR'78-89) 1991-1997 (Caro (sedan and hatchback)) 1997-2002 (Caro Plus (sedan, hatchback and wagon)) |
| Assembly |
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| Designer |
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| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large family car |
| Body style |
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| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,509 mm (98.8 in) |
| Length | 4,318 mm (170.0 in) |
| Width | 1,650 mm (65.0 in) |
| Height | 1,420 mm (55.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,075 kg (2,370 lb)-1,115 kg (2,458 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Polski Fiat 125p |
The FSO Polonez was a Polish motor vehicle that was produced from 1978 to 2002. The car's name comes from the Polish dance, polonaise.
The Polonez was a rebodied Polski Fiat 125p that Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) built under license from Fiat. The internal components, including modernized 1.3/1.5 Litre engines, (pistons and carburetor), the chassis, and other mechanicals, were from the Polski Fiat 125p, but the body was an entirely new hatchback body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car was meant to be equipped with Fiat's 2.0 Litre DOHC engines in the 1980s, but financial problems at the time made the purchase of a license from Fiat impossible. This is also why the 125p was produced simultaneously with the Polonez for more than a decade. Moreover, mechanical modernization only took place when it could be applied to both cars. This situation finally changed after the production of the 125p ended in 1991.
An advantage of Polonez is its passive safety. In 1978, it was the only East European car built to pass U.S. crash tests. Crash tests were performed in 1994 according to EU safety regulations so that the Polonez could be exported worldwide. They proved the car to be very safe. The Caro 1.9 GLD hitting a concrete block (without an energy-absorbing metal cage) with 40% of the front at 50 km/h (31 mph) survived very well. All doors could be opened without any difficulty, there were no critical injuries for passengers, and no fuel leakage occurred.
The Polonez range was expanded to encompass a wide range of bodies. These included:
There were also many prototypes including: pickup made using rear part of Fiat 125p pick-up, native-looking pickup (w/o frame in the rear like actual Truck), 4x4 offroader (Analog), hydro-pneumatic suspension, Sedan (very different from Atu/Celina), 4x4 Truck w/o offroad suspension.
In May 1978, mass production commenced. The official premiere of the FSO Polonez 1500 and FSO Polonez 1300 took place. The FSO Polonez 2000 Rally with a 2-liter Fiat DOHC engine was displayed. In 1979 the FSO Polonez 2000, sold mostly to government officials, appeared. The Polonez 2000 has a Fiat twin-cam engine with 1,995 cc, 82 kW (110 hp), a 5-speed gearbox, a 0–100 km/h acceleration of 12.0 seconds, and a 175 km/h (109 mph) top speed. The FSO Polonez 2000 Rally debuted in the Rallye Monte Carlo. In 1980 the FSO Polonez 1300 and 1500 three-door appeared. With the same short front doors as the five-door version, it was produced in 1980-1983 in about 300 units.
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