Performance Review: Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Fiat Coupe Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Fiat Coupe has a 1998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The Coupe shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Coupe's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1310 kgs (2888 lbs) this makes the Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo in the same weight category as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R or the give or take 50kg.

The Fiat Coupe shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 20V St5 engine produces 219 bhp (163 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 229 lb-ft (310.4 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Fiat Coupe you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Porsche Cayenne GTS 4.8 V8 (192.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Fiat Coupe.

The Fiat Coupe has a Power to weight ratio of 167.1 bhp per ton and 174.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Coupe competing with the 2012 Porsche Cayenne GTS 4.8 V8 (192.1 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Audi TT S 2.0T 270 (192.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Fiat Coupe generating around 174.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 (199.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (199.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.2 secs, this made the Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo as fast as the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (6.00 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (6.00 secs) the 2017 Toyota Century 5.0 V8 (6.00 secs) the or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 265 DSG (6.00 secs). This Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo is also faster than the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the and the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Coupe and the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d

When talking about the performance of the Fiat Coupe on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.59 secs @ 93.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (14.52 secs), the 1984 BMW 6 Series M635 CSi E24 (14.53 secs), and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (14.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Coupe equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Coupe Rivals List.

A Brief History of Fiat

Car Comparison