Cars with history: Fiat Uno and its 30 years

Exactly 30 years ago, in 1983, the Fiat Uno was unveiled. The initial project was born in the late seventies, when the then head of the Lancia, Gian Mario Rossignol, commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to create a car that would replace the 127. Thus the Uno was born: small on the outside, but very spacious inside, and marketed under the Fiat brand.

The Fiat Uno was initially available in 3- and 5-door versions, while the initial range included three 0.9-litre petrol engines with 45 hp, a 1.1-litre with 55 hp and the 1.3 with 68 CV. Two diesel engines were also offered: the 1.3-litre with 45 hp and the 1.4-litre with 70 CV. There was also the energy-saving ES variant, which was characterised by low fuel consumption and a very long fifth gear.

The year after the Fiat Uno was presented, it received the Car of the Year award in 1984, and the elegant SX variant debuted almost at the same time. In 1985 the 0.9 engine made way for the new FIRE 1.0 engine, capable of 45 hp but much more frugal in consumption. The 1.1 engine went from 55 to 85 hp and introduced the 105 CV Turbo engine, along with the 1.3 Selecta fitted with an automatic gearbox.

Three years later, in 1988, the CS variant built in Brazil arrived. This version has little in common with the other Uno models, although it offers a 1.1 engine with 58 CV. The front end is more modern and the fuel filler cap is on the left-hand side.

The second generation was presented in 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and featured a redesign, revising everything from the front to the rear. Aesthetically, this new Uno was similar to the Fiat Tipo and was characterised by changes to the engines. The 1.1 and 1.3 disappeared, replaced by a 1.1 with 48 hp and a 1.4-litre with 70 CV (118 CV in the Turbo version).

The Fiat Uno was sold in Italy until 1995, with more than 6 million units produced, but in South America (where the Uno was very successful) it continued to be manufactured and sold. The third generation of the Fiat Uno is sold only in South America and is based on the Palio platform.

Source | Fiat