Fiat 131

Fiat 131 Mirafiori ( 1974-1978 )

The Fiat 131 is a full size car in the Italian car manufacturer Fiat and was produced by the fall of 1974 until the end of 1984.

The 131 was the only model of Fiat, which contributed an additional name in the model designation may in addition to a numerical designation. The term Mirafiori went back on the same Fiat plant in Turin. He was sold as a Fiat Brava in the USA.

Model history

In October 1974, the 131 two - and four-door notchback sedan was introduced. This first series is seen in smaller rectangle ( in the basic version ) or dual round headlights, tail lights in the form of a rotated 90 degrees T's and chrome bumpers with plastic corners.

In the spring of 1975, followed by the combination variant called Familiars. Like the sedan station wagon was sold as the SEAT 131, the combination was only produced in Spain.

In 1976 arose from homologation based on the two-door sedan, a small series of 500 vehicles with the name " Abarth 131 Rally" (also called " Abarth Stradale "), whose body by Bertone and their technique was modified by Abarth. They were fitted with a 1995 cc 16V engine, which in the road version of 140 hp, the rally factory version up to 210 hp ( petrol engine ) or 235 hp ( motor with ball Fischer- injection ) made ​​, as well as a rear axle with independent wheel suspension.

Interior

Beginning of 1978 was a facelift. From then on, wore the 131 large rectangular headlights (except the racing models and the later published diesel versions, the round twin headlights have ), a black plastic grille, massive plastic bumpers as well as larger and rectangular taillights. The station wagon was called from now on Panorama. Also in 1978 came the "Racing" ( in Germany, Austria and the UK "Sport" ) called two -door model.

Rear view

Fiat 131 Panorama ( 1978-1981 )

Fiat 131 2000 TC Racing (1978-1982)

The third and final series was released in spring 1981. Recognizable to those models are more plastic on the bodywork and a new dashboard. From then on, possessed all 131 models from Fiat about was a standard five-speed manual transmission ( 5speed ) and in the " Supermirafiori 'version of a rich and above average for that time of standard equipment, which included, among others, electric front windows and electric central locking. In early 1982, the 131 Sport dropped out of the program.

Approximately 200 copies of the two-door 'Sport' bodies were brought to the end of production in the Abarth factory Corse Marche, where a small series " 131 Racing volumetrico Abarth " was created, along with a small series " 131 Supermirafiori volumetrico Abarth " on the basis of the recently commenced third series the Supermirafiori. These vehicles were equipped with a compressor and made 140 hp. The volumetrico variants were available only in Italy and only in 1981. Overall, were built by the two - and four-door version along about 200 pieces.

In September 1983, the Regata, 131 after its production end in December 1984 completely replaced the already appeared. Shortly before, also the Regata Weekend came on the market.

Rear view

Body

Two body styles were built:

• Sedan with two doors and four
• Combined Familiars (from 1978 Panorama) with five doors

Engine variants

Gasoline

Diesel

• 2.0-liter displacement: 44 kW/60 hp ( Super) ( SOFIM - 8140 engine)
• 2.5 liter engine capacity: 53 kW/72 hp ( Super) ( SOFIM - 8140 engine)

Equipment variants

Related models

License versions of the 131 were at Seat (Spain ), Tofaş (Turkey) and Holland Car ( Ethiopia) built as DOCC in more or less modified form. From 1976 to 2001, the Tofaş in Turkey under the model name Murat 131, later in the simple version as Şahin (S, 1,6 ie) was in the upscale version as Doğan (L, SL, SLX, 1.6 ie) and in the combi version offered as Kartal.

Motorsport

The Fiat 131 was also used in motorsport rallies. Fiat 131 Abarth Rally won with in the years 1977, 1978 and 1980, the manufacturers' world championship.

In the 1980 season was the first time world rally champion Walter Röhrl Fiat 131 Abarth Rally with.

Successor

The successor to the Fiat 131 Mirafiori took over the published in late summer 1983 Fiat Regata, for the Seat 131 Mirafiori it was from the beginning of 1985, the Seat Malaga, which is independent of Fiat development, but technically and visually very strongly oriented towards the Regata.

The Fiat 131 in the film

In the movie " Le Professionnel " ( " The Professional " ) with Jean -Paul Belmondo from 1981 there is a prolonged chase, in which the protagonist a ( then brand new ) drives Fiat 131 the third series.