Fiat 128
The Fiat 128 is a transverse front-engine, front wheel drive small family car manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1969 to 1985 as a two- or four-door sedan, three- or five-door station wagon as well as two- or three-door coupé. The 128 running gear and engine, reconfigured for a mid-engined layout, were used in the Fiat X1/9 sports car.
| Fiat 128 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| Also called | Nasr 128 GLS 1300 (Egypt) SEAT 128 (Spain) Zastava 101/128/Skala (Yugoslavia) |
| Production | 1969–1985 (Fiat, Italy) 1971-1990 (Fiat, Argentina) 1976-1980 (3P, SEAT) 1971–2008 (Yugoslavia) |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Fiat X1/9 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,445 mm (96.3 in) |
| Length | 3,850 mm (151.6 in) |
| Width | 1,590 mm (62.6 in) |
| Height | 1,340 mm (52.8 in) |
| Kerb weight | 750–770 kg (1,653–1,698 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat 1100 R |
| Successor | |
With engineering by Dante Giacosa and engine design by Aurelio Lampredi, the 128 was noted for its relatively roomy passenger and cargo volume — enabled by a breakthrough innovation to the front-engine, front-drive layout which became the layout "adopted by virtually every other manufacturer in the world" for front-wheel drive. Fiat promoted in its advertising that mechanical features consumed only 20% of the vehicle's volume.
Named European Car of the Year in 1970, over three million were ultimately manufactured.
In 2012 automotive journalist Jamie Kitman called the 128 a "pioneer of the small cars we drive today."