The legendary Autobianchi A112 turns 40

This year a legend of Italian motoring is celebrating its birthday. Younger people find it harder to recall the Autobianchi brand, but the vast majority still remember the iconic marque. In fact, until not long ago I still saw more than a few on the streets, but now they are harder to find.

At the Turin Motor Show in 1969 the Autobianchi A112 was presented, the car that was to replace the Bianchina and was the bet of Fiat to compete with the Mini. The A112’s platform was entirely new and was the same one later used for the Fiat 127 (another very well-known model). Autobianchi was clearly aimed at young people and women, thanks to the model’s urban character and its small dimensions (3.23 metres long).

When it went on sale in 1970, the A112 was available with 903 cc and 44 CV of power. Two more engines producing 47 CV were later added, and a version called the Abarth A112 featured a four-cylinder engine (like the rest of the range) with 982 cc and 58 CV.

Later, seven more generations followed between 1970 and 1986, each series bringing new equipment and design updates. The long run of the Autobianchi A112 finally ended in 1986, after 1,254,178 units had been produced, and that same year the brand also disappeared from the European market, except Italy.

Source | Autoblog.it