Fiat Regata


The Fiat Regata is an automobile produced by Italian automaker Fiat from 1983 to 1990. The Regata name was used for the sedan and station wagon versions of the Fiat Ritmo hatchback, corresponding to the post-facelift Ritmo. The Regata was offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines.
Spanish builder SEAT created a similar saloon car from Ritmo underpinnings called the SEAT Málaga. Nevertheless, development for the two cars was separate.

1983

The Regata, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1983, was developed from the pre facelift Ritmo and utilised almost all the mechanicals, although the wheelbase was stretched slightly.
A conventional four door three box design, it bore very little external resemblance to the original Ritmo, although it hinted strongly at the look of the facelift of 1982 for that car. In the Swedish market, the car was called "Regatta", as Regata was uncomfortably close to a derogatory term for an overbearing woman.
The same name was used in markets in Latin American. The engines offered were also similar, being the 1301 cc inline four rated at and the 1498 cc model rated at .
Both of these were SOHC engines. A DOHC 1585 cc inline four rated at was also available as were two SOHC diesels, a 1714 cc straight four rated at and a 1929 cc version rated at , the latter of which was added in 1984.
After fourteen months, diesels represented about thirty percent of the Regatas produced. The Regata 100, as the top model, was well equipped and came with a "check panel", an early onboard computer that provided information on fuel consumption, average speed, range, optimal gear selection, etcetera.
An economy model called the "ES" was also available, it featured an early start-stop system. It featured some detail modifications to the aerodynamics, an optimised 1301 cc engine, an engine shut off system and electronic ignition.
Aside from the lowest priced versions, a five speed manual transmission came as standard.
The Regata Weekend estate was introduced in November 1984. It was available with all engines offered in the sedan, although there was no optional automatic transmission available in the Regata Weekend. The Weekend replaced the 131 Panorama, which had been kept in production alongside the Regata.
It featured a folding rear bumper, enabling easier access to the load area and doubling as a seat capable of supporting when folded down.
The suspension and brakes were uprated to cope with the extra weight. Alongside there was also a two-seater glazed van derivative called the Marengo, only available with the larger diesel engine. The Marengo made its debut at the Brussels Commercial vehicle show in the beginning of 1985.

1986

A mid life update was carried out in April 1986, in which numerous small details were changed, most notably new doors with an altered window line. New door handles, grille, bumpers and wheel trims also featured.
The 1,585 cc engine gained fuel injection to become the 100S i.e. whilst a catalysed and fuel injected 1,498 cc unit powered the 75i.e. The 85 Automatic was also replaced by the 70 Automatic with a 1.3 litre engine rated at.
The diesel powered models also changed slightly. An 1,929 cc turbodiesel engine was introduced whilst the 1,714 cc unit dropped in capacity to 1,697 cc.
This model was simply badged as the Regata D. The weight was also reduced slightly. Production ceased in February 1990, when the Tempra was introduced.

Sevel production

The Regata started production by Sevel in Argentina in 1985, where production continued until 1995. 56,789 were built in Argentina, with limited exports to select South American nations with lower barriers for entry such as Venezuela and Chile. As in Sweden, the car was called the Regatta in Latin America. Unlike its European sisters, the car was considered somewhat upmarket in Latin America.
The Regatta 85 received an 1.5 litre, while a 100S came with a 1.6 litre version. Along with a facelift in 1987, the 2000 Twincam replaced the 100S, carrying the same level of equipment but with the Croma's larger Twin Cam two litre engine with 10 more hp and considerably more torque.
The 2000 managed the 0–100 km/h sprint in 9.8 seconds and had a rear spoiler. The Regatta 85 changed names, becoming the Regatta 1.5 S and SC.
A more thorough facelift in 1988 produced the Regatta Edición II. The engines remained the same until the 1990 model year, when both engines were replaced by the 1581 cc engine from the Fiat Tipo. Later, a cheaper 1.4 S using the 1372 cc Tipo engine, with, was added to the line up.
Production ended in 1995, as the Regata was replaced by the Tempra in Latin America as well. The Regatta Weekend was also produced in Argentina between 1986 and 1992, only available with the 1.5 engine initially. For the last three years, this was replaced with the Tipo's 1.6 litre engine.

Movie roles

The Regata featured strongly in the film Gung Ho from 1986, centred on a Japanese auto manufacturer reopening a shutdown automobile factory in a fictional western Pennsylvania town, the main model produced by "Assan Motors" were in fact Fiat Regatas in various stages of completion. The factory shots took place in the Fiat plant in El Palomar, Argentina.
The Regata was also featured in National Lampoon's European Vacation. When the Griswolds go to Rome, they rent a car unknowingly from two villains, who just hid the travel agency clerk in the trunk of the said vehicle.

Engines

Petrol

ModelEngineDisplacementPowerTorqueNotes
60I41116 cc at 5?00 rpmGreece, perhaps others
70I41301 cc at 5600 rpm at 3000 rpm
70I41301 cc at 5700 rpm at 2900 rpm
1.4 SI41372 cc at 5800 rpm at 3000 rpm
75 i.e.I41498 cc at 5800 rpm at 3000 rpm
85
1.5 S/SC		I41498 cc at 5500 rpm
at 5500 rpm		 at 2900 rpm
at 3000 rpm
Latin America
1.6 S/SCI41581 cc at 6000 rpm at 3000 rpmLatin America
90iI41585 cc @ 6250 rpm at 4250 rpm
100 SI41585 cc at 5900 rpm at 3800 rpm
100 S i.e.I41585 cc at 6000 rpm at 4000 rpm
2000 TwincamI41995 cc at 5000 rpm at 5900 rpmLatin America

Diesel

ModelEngineDisplacementPowerTorqueYears
1.7 DI41714 cc at 4500 rpm at 3000 rpm1983-1986
1.7 DI41697 cc at 4500 rpm at 3000 rpm1986-
1.9 DI41929 cc at 4600 rpm at 2000 rpm1984-
1.9 TDI41929 cc at 4200 rpm at 2400 rpm1986-

Scale models

manufactured a 1/25 and a 1/41 scale diecast Regata. A 1/43 variant of this car was made by Bburago, Norev and Elite Models.