Fiat Tempra

1990-1998
Overview
Manufacturer	Fiat Tofaş Mekong Auto
Also called	Fiat Marengo (panel van)
Production	1990—1998
Assembly	Cassino, Italy (1990—1996) Bursa, Turkey (1990—1999) Betim, Brazil (1991—1998) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (1996-?)
Designer	Ercole Spada at I.DE.A Institute
Body and chassis
Class	Family car
Body style	2-door saloon (Brazil) 4-door saloon 5-door station wagon 5-door panel van
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive (estate)
Platform	Type Three platform (Tipo Tre)
Related	Alfa Romeo 145/146 Alfa Romeo 155 Fiat Tipo Fiat Coupé Lancia Delta Lancia Dedra
Powertrain
Engine	1.4 L I4 1.6 L I4 1.8 L I4 2.0 L I4 2.0 L turbo I4 1.9 L diesel I4 1.9 L turbodiesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic "Selecta" CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100 in)
Length	Saloon: 4,355 mm (171.5 in) Station Wagon: 4,472 mm (176.1 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Curb weight	1,030 kg (2,271 lb)-1,220 kg (2,690 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Fiat Regata
Successor	Fiat Marea

The Fiat Tempra (Type 159) is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1990 to 1998. 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 (project Tipo 2) and the bigger Fiat Croma (project Tipo 4). 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.

Overview

The Tempra saloon was introduced in February 1990 at the Geneva Salon, with the station wagon (marketed as the "Tempra SW") 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 Brazilian market. It was built until 1995 and a 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 mid size 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 (March), there was a version of the station wagon which offered the 2-litre engine combined with permanent four-wheel drive. The four-wheel drive version had a slight front bias (56/44%).

During its 6 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.

Chassis and main parts (most notably, the doors) were shared with the Fiat Tipo. Other vehicles, derived from the same project were Lancia Dedra (Tempra's most similar cousin, sharing all mechanical components), Lancia Delta second generation, Alfa Romeo 155, Alfa 145 and Alfa 146.

Equipment and trim levels

Only two trim levels were available in its early years: standard (S) 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 ("L" in the UK, where it was only available with 1.4 engine) via the S and SX to the top SLX, which was only available with 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines in the UK. 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" (automatic transmission) and "SX AK" (climate control added) 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 148 PS (109 kW) 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 (with the same engine) and Panda (1000 FIRE engine). 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 UK.

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 65 litres (17 US gal; 14 imp gal) for the sedan and 70 L (18 US gal; 15 imp gal) for the Station Wagon. Average range for a 55 kW 1.6 litre sedan was around 920 km (572 mi) (14 km/L or 7.1 l/100 km; 39.5 mpg_-imp), and consumption at constant speed was of 16.5 km/L (6.1 l/100 km; 46.6 mpg_-imp) at 90 km/h (56 mph) and 11.6 km/L (8.6 l/100 km; 32.8 mpg_-imp) at 130 km/h (81 mph). All these were aided by a favorable aerodynamic (C_x 0.297) and only 17.2 PS subtracted at 100 km/h (62 mph), 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 diesel engine, and the interior space was comfortable for 5 persons during long travels.

End of production

The Tempra was discontinued in Europe in 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.