Fiat Cinquecento Sporting

Manufacturer	FIAT
Type	Motor car
Production	1994 to 1998
Length	3230  m m
Width	1490 mm
Height	1440 mm

The Fiat Cinquecento Sporting is a super-mini model produced by the Italian car manufacturer FIAT from 1994 to 1998.

History

Towards the end of 1994, the Cinquecento Sporting was presented, placed at the top of the range and immediately appreciated because of its youthful, fun and sporty appearance, remaining a small car. Starting in 1994, the year of its market launch, the Cinquecento Sporting Trophy will also be born , an international mono-brand rally championship that will launch many future rally drivers on the sports scene.

The Sporting is equipped with the famous and tested 1108cc FIRE Engine (engine code 176 B2.000) of displacement and with maximum power of 54 horses at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 80 N · but 3250 rpm. The maximum speed rises to around 158 km / h. The engine-transmission unit was simply picked up and adapted to the small size of the car by the Fiat Punto 55 , with minor changes to the gearbox and timing case (taken from the Uno 1000).

The Sporting version is characterized by small external details not present on the other standard versions. Bumpers and rear-view mirrors match the body color and the plastic profiles on the rear wheel arches are replaced (then eliminated on all versions from 1994 onwards). In particular, the bumpers are fitted with moldings of different colors (depending on the color of the body itself), thin and impractical in dampening the blows. On the front bumper the radiator slot is characterized by a decorative element in the shape of a black frame. The dashboard of the Sporting versionit is characterized by a superior instrumentation, which now includes a rev counter with 8000 rpm full scale, tachometer at 180 km / h and petrol and engine temperature indicators on the right. The whole console is made of hard plastic but solid, slightly better assembled than the basic and slightly darker versions. Even the side pockets mounted on the doors and handles are darker and matched with the seats. They are more profiled and enveloping, as well as having a longer and wider seat. Even the theme of the fabric changes: the specific name is "Gray Fabric with Lines 121"even if the lines are red and yellow with green inserts. Special features of the seats are the headrests, taken directly from the Fiat Uno turbo second series. The color of the front and rear seat belts is also specific. They are red, emphasizing the exclusivity of Sporting compared to other versions.

In addition to the central cabinet we find the gear knob and the two-spoke steering wheel covered in black leather with always black stitching (also in the Airbag version). Also the accelerator pedal (also taken from the Uno).

At the rear on the sides there are rigid plastic pockets applied to the shell with clips. They are soundproofed from the house and specifications, as far as coloring is concerned, with the rest of the interior. The one on the right is also equipped with a practical removable ashtray (optional on the other versions). Noteworthy is also the exhaust terminal, welded to the silencer. It is oval and was available in both burnished (matt black) and polished chrome. Although the Sporting version represented the top of the range, some options and accessories were available, which can be purchased at the Fiat Accessories Line, such as aesthetic kitts (the one given by Abarth) protective covers for seats, gadgets and more.

The following are the optional extras available since 1994:

• Air conditioning (vehicle weight goes up to 750 kg)
• Door bumpers (only the first series)
• Headlight alignment corrector
• Car radio with removable front panel
• Split rear seat (rare optional)
• Metallic paint
• Openable glass roof
• Electronic alarm (rare Fiat-branded optional)

Two other options were the rear spoiler in the same color as the bodywork (equipped with a third stop from 1997 to comply with the new rules of the Highway Code) and the additional audio pockets of 16.5 cm in front. Many other accessories were supplied by dealerships or external companies, today no longer on the market or very rare.

Tires, wheels, springs and shock absorbers 

The Cinquecento Sporting was equipped with a specific trim, aimed at enhancing the brilliant qualities of the small engine. The suspension springs are shorter than the standard ones of about 2 cm, lowering the center of gravity. The front shock absorbers are the same as those of all versions while the rear ones are more rigid as standard.

As for the circles, they are the same as the One Turbo second series (only the size changes), called by fans "ventolini" because they resemble a rotating fan. They were related by a Pirelli tire train (if they opted for the 165/55 / ​​r13), now practically impossible to find and very expensive. Alternatively, the most common and least expensive 155/65 / r13 73t, still in production, could be mounted from the booklet. Included was a spare wheel with a diameter of 145/70 r13.

On the technical level, the Cinquecento features the classic and well-tested McPherson front and rear suspension with mixed-depression braking system.

Differences between first (1994-1995) and second version (1995-1998)

On the first Sporting (almost impossible to find) the rear lights are not "smoky" but rather simply taken from the first version of the Cinquecento, therefore with orange rear-facing indicators and white reverse gear. Even on the tailgate the aesthetic groove under the boot lock disappears. The color range changes from 1994 to 1996.

From 1994 to 1995 it was the following:

Pastel colours:

• 189 Red Sporting
• 258 Giallo Ginestra (the most requested and the most famous of all)
• 601 Black (very rare)

Metallic Colors:

• Gray Trend

With the 1997 update, the range expands with an unprecedented metallic blue, Blue Imola and Rosso Starter.

4-cylinder in-line water-cooled with overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder. The injection is completely electronic, guaranteed by a single injector (for this SPI, that is " Single Point Injection") which guarantees a remarkable simplicity of construction and low maintenance, providing however a more approximate carburation compared to a 4-way fuel system injectors. The same engine will be equipped with the "Multi Point" injection in the Fiat Seicento Sporting second series.No modifications are made to the frame except for a larger anti-roll bar which guarantees greater stability.

The 5-speed gearbox with reverse gear (type C.514.5.10) is different from the 5-speed gearbox of the 903cc and 899cc engines.

The gear ratios are as follows:

• First gear: 3.909
• Second gear: 2.158
• Third gear: 1,480
• Fourth gear: 1,121
• Fifth gear: 0.829
• Reverse gear: 3,818