Fiat Tempra
The Fiat Tempra is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1990 to 1997 in Italy. The Tempra was intended as a replacement for the Fiat Regata. The original project was called Tipo 3, being a mid size car between the Fiat Tipo and the bigger Fiat Croma. The Tempra shares its Type Three platform with the Lancia Dedra and Alfa Romeo 155.
The Tempra was named the 1991 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland. In Brazil, the Tempra was built from 1991 to 1998. The car was also assembled in Turkey by Tofas and in Vietnam by Mekong Auto in complete knock down until 2000.
Overview
The saloon of the Tempra was shown for the first time in newspapers in November 1989, and introduced in February 1990 at the Geneva Motor Show, with the station wagon arriving two months later in Turin. The initial engine range comprised 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 petrol units and normally aspirated and turbocharged 1.9 litre diesel units.The car began to be produced in Brazil for Latin American markets, after being introduced in Aruba, September 1991. First seen in September 1992, a two door coupé version of it, was produced exclusively for the market in Brazil. It was built until 1995, and an turbocharged petrol version was also available there.
Mechanics
The Tempra's engine range was similar to that of the Tipo. Initially 1.4 and 1.6 litre models had carburettor engines. Both of these models were discontinued in 1992, due to the new European emission standards, and thus all models from 1992 on had catalytic converters and electronic injection.Transmission was a standard five speed manual, but for the first time a midsize sedan was offered as with a continuously variable transmission which was previously available on the Fiat Uno, Panda, Ritmo and Tipo.
This, called the "Selecta", was available only with the 1.6 litre engine with either bodystyle. As of July 1991, the 2.0 litre SX model became available with an optional four speed automatic transmission.
Presented in Geneva 1992, there was a version of the station wagon which offered the two litre engine, combined with permanent four wheel drive. The four wheel drive version had a slight front bias.
During its six year production run, few changes were made apart from a minor facelift in April 1993, which resulted in a new front grille and other minor styling changes, as well as new equipment levels.
Main parts were shared with the Fiat Tipo. Other vehicles, derived from the same chassis were Lancia Dedra and Alfa Romeo 155.
The Fiat Tempra had two exclusive options in Brazil: two door version for any engine option, and a 2.0 litre turbo, which was sold with the two door as "Tempra Turbo" and with the four door as "Tempra Turbo Stile".
The engine delivered around and of torque.
Car magazine tests registered 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of by the Tempra Turbo two door 1994. As remark, the Tempra Turbo 1994 was the second turbocharged car to be produced in Brazil. The first one was the Uno Turbo, also in 1994.
Equipment and trim levels
Only two trim levels were available in its early years: standard and SX, both reasonably equipped considering the Tempra's low price.SX models for example, featured power windows, power locks, adjustable belts and steering wheel, front fog lights, body coloured bumpers, velvet upholstery, a futuristic digital dashboard and many other standard extras. They were also available with optional extras like anti lock brakes, alloy wheels, sunroof, electronic climate control, etc.
A facelift in April 1993 featured more trim levels, now ranging from the standard models via the S and SX to the top SLX, which was only available with 1.8, and 2.0 litre engines in the United Kingdom. An optional driver's airbag was another innovation that year.
The four wheel drive Station Wagons continued to be available in some markets, such as Switzerland.
In Turkey, where Tofaş built the car, there were also "SX A" and "SX AK" versions available. The 1,000,000th Tofaş built was a Tempra 2.0 i.e. 16V. The Turkish 16 valve Tempra was not sold in the rest of Europe; it was also available with station wagon bodywork and has a engine.
There was also the domestic market Marengo, a name also used before with the Regata Weekend and later again with the Marea Wagon. This is a commercial version of the Tempra which was based on the Station Wagon version, but with basic equipment, heavily tinted rear windows, and no rear seats. The engines were most commonly the naturally aspirated diesels.
Reports
Quattroruote, a popular Italian motoring magazine, reported some failures and defects with the Tempra. The first issue to be reported was some water ingress through the windscreen seals, an issue that previously plagued some other Fiat vehicles, especially Alfa 33, which in rainy conditions would carry a significant quantity of water on board.This problem was reported from 1990–92, and was resolved with using a higher quantity of sealant when fitting the glass.
Another reported problem was a high oil consumption, especially the 1,581 cc engine, which was a common defect with Tipo and Panda. The same was reported for other Fiat's vehicles, but disappeared with the new 1.6 L 66 kW engine.
On the same model, from 1994, the car started to show some electronic malfunctions, with items such as the electronic control unit, code key and electric system. A design flaw of the Tempra was that its rear window was too small and inclined and the tail too tall, so that rear visibility was poor. This issue was common with the 155 and Dedra, and was one of the reason the estate had more success than the saloon, especially in the United Kingdom.
Qualities
Since the beginning, the Tempra was presented as a cheap and reliable car. 1.4 and 1.6 engines were able to run long distances with good fuel economy, also aided by a high capacity tanks of for the sedan and for the Station Wagon.Average range for a 55 kW 1.6 litre sedan was around , and consumption at constant speed was of at and at. All these were aided by a favourable aerodynamic and only 17.2 PS subtracted at, which was the best result among all the rivals.
Another advantage was the galvanized structure, which allowed the model to be resistant against rust over the time, also showing a good response to weather and bad climate conditions after many years. Other qualities were the strength and reliability of the mechanics, thanks to the engine that could be used in urban drive, extra urban and highways.
For its luggage capacity, especially the Marengo version, was also one of the favourites among companies with the 1929 cc diesel engine, and the interior space was comfortable for five persons during long travels.
F1 Safety Car
A Brazilian produced version of the 16 valve Tempra had the honourable role of being used in Formula One as the Safety Car during the season of, most notably at the Brazilian Grand Prix.End of production
The Tempra was discontinued in Europe in August 1996, and in Brazil in 1998. It was replaced by the Fiat Marea, which is based on the Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava platform, the replacements for the Tempra's sister car the Fiat Tipo. In Brazil, 204,795 Tempras were produced in eight years, and in Turkey, where the car was manufactured by Tofaş from November 1990 until 1999, 129,590 were made.Engines
| Model | Engine layout | Engine code | Displacement | Power | Torque | Notes |
| 1.4 S | I4 SOHC | 159A2.000 | 1,372 cc | DIN: at 6,000 rpm ECE: at 6,000 rpm | DIN: at 2,900 rpm ECE: at 2,900 rpm | carburator |
| 1.4 i.e. | I4 SOHC | 160A1.046 | 1,372 cc | DIN: at 6,000 rpm ECE: at 6,000 rpm | DIN: at 2,900 rpm ECE: at 3,000 rpm | cat and fuel injection |
| 1.6 S | I4 SOHC | 159A3.000 | 1,581 cc | DIN: at 5,800 rpm ECE: at 5,800 rpm | DIN: at 2,900 rpm ECE: at 2,900 rpm | carburator |
| 1.6 i.e. | I4 SOHC | 159A3.000 | 1,581 cc | DIN: at 6,000 rpm ECE: at 6,000 rpm | DIN: at 3,000 rpm ECE: at 3,000 rpm | cat and fuel injection |
| 1.6 i.e. | I4 SOHC | 835C1.000 159A3.048 | 1,581 cc | DIN: at 6,000 rpm ECE: at 6,000 rpm | DIN: at 3,000 rpm ECE: at 3,000 rpm | cat and fuel injection |
| 1.6 i.e. | I4 SOHC | 1,581 cc | DIN: at 5,750 rpm | DIN: at 2,750 rpm | No catalyzer | |
| 1.8 i.e. | I4 DOHC | 159A4.000 | 1,756 cc | DIN: at 6,000 rpm ECE: at 6,000 rpm | DIN: at 2,500 rpm ECE: at 2,500 rpm | fuel injection |
| 1.8 i.e. | I4 DOHC | 835C2.000 | 1,756 cc | DIN: at 6,000 rpm ECE: at 6,000 rpm | DIN: at 3,000 rpm ECE: at 3,000 rpm | cat and fuel injection, 1992- DIN in some markets |
| 2.0 | I4 8V DOHC | 1,995 cc | DIN: at 5,250 rpm | DIN: at 3,000 rpm | carburetted Brazilian model | |
| 2.0 i.e. | I4 8V DOHC | 159A6.046 | 1,995 cc | DIN: at 5,750 rpm ECE: at 5,750 rpm | DIN: at 3,300 rpm ECE: at 3,300 rpm | cat and fuel injection |
| 2.0 i.e. 16V | I4 16V DOHC | 1,995 cc | DIN: at 5,750 rpm DIN: at 6,250 rpm | DIN: at 4,750 rpm DIN: at 5,000 rpm | Brazilian model Turkish model | |
| 2.0 i.e. Turbo | I4 8V DOHC | 1,995 cc | DIN: 121 kW at 5,250 rpm | DIN: at 3,000 rpm | Brazilian model | |
| 1.9 D | I4 SOHC | 160A7.000 | 1,929 cc | DIN: at 4,600 rpm | at 2,000 rpm | |
| 1.9 TD | I4 SOHC | 160A6.000 | 1,929 cc | DIN: at 4,000 rpm ECE: at 4,000 rpm | DIN: at 2,800 rpm | with EGR |
| 1.9 TD | I4 SOHC | 160A6.000 | 1,929 cc | DIN: at 4,100 rpm ECE: at 4,100 rpm | DIN: at 2,400 rpm ECE: at 2,400 rpm |