On a big tour with the hot classic Coupé 20V Turbo

The two-door car, correctly referred to as the Fiat Coupé, is a model that you would no longer be able to imagine from the brand today. As a top variant, it's probably the fastest Fiat of all time, because it's very likely that there won't be another faster one.

It's hard for us to look into the future without a crystal ball, and functioning crystal balls haven't been invented yet. But actually you should be careful with the expression “all time”, because forecasts are notoriously difficult, especially when they concern the future. But the Fiat 20V Turbo coupé with 220 hp and a top speed of 250 km/h is most likely the fastest Fiat of all time, because if the Stellantis Group were to bring such a high-performance car again, it would definitely be under the “Abarth” label ” and no longer under “Fiat”.

But now I'm standing in front of the coupe from the 1990s and I'm already looking forward to driving the anniversary model. Not just because it's cool to briefly immerse yourself in the nineties: Fiat introduced its sporty two-door car exactly 30 years ago. But the vast majority of examples left the assembly line as well-behaved versions with perhaps 131 or 154 hp. The Turbo was certainly the exception.

Curiosity about the wild Italian is increasing. Especially since there are now a few kilometers ahead of me, because the test drive is a little more extensive as part of the Rhein-Main-Klassik from Frankfurt to Worms in Rhineland-Palatinate. That's nice, because the 1.3-ton flyweight has to prove itself here – both in stressful city traffic as well as on lonely country roads and on the motorway.

How has driving changed over the last three decades? ESP? Not available from Fiat at this time. At least there are airbags and in the test example anyway, because it is a late car from 2000, the last year of construction. And even though the Fiat isn't really that old, i.e. it doesn't come from the 1960s or 1970s, it seems like it comes from another world compared to modern vehicles.

In the 1990s, driving was even more work

Here, driving a car really means driving work – without the support of any assistants. You have to be careful not to drive into the trunk of the person behind you, because there is no buzzing or braking at all. And you still have to switch gears yourself – an activity that is almost extinct today. And when you start the two-liter five-cylinder, it still sounds authentic from the exhaust and hood, nothing artificially generated.

And where is unfiltered driving with the somewhat uncouth Italian the most fun? Of course, on the country road. Because fast motorway laps don't suit the wiry Fiat. Of course, the front-wheel drive car easily reaches 200 km/h or even higher speeds, but the speed level becomes so high despite the six-speed gearbox that conversations become difficult due to the volume. So it's better to go to quieter slopes and enjoy the turbo punch in the lower speed range.

It's nice when the charger comes into action in third gear. Then the 310 Newton meters do not manage to penetrate the traction limit of the front tires. As a result, the 4.25 meter long coupé pushes with comfortable pressure. Full load in first gear, on the other hand, causes the drive wheels to shuffle helplessly; a bit of sensitivity is required here. The driving values ​​are impressive even by today's standards – it only takes six and a half seconds for the needle to pass the 100 km/h mark on the speedometer, which is closely scaled up to 280 km/h. This may be a side note for younger readers, but the car quartet generation certainly appreciates such speedometers. In the past it was also a question of prestige.

The Italian Bangle Coupé is underestimated

And how is the Italian coupé received by the public? Especially at classic car rallies, the looks from passers-by when driving through towns are a good indicator of how popular a car is. And the coupé, directed by Chris Bangle, seems underestimated because the oldie doesn't generate any particular curiosity. Its outer skin is sexy, the front is inevitably reminiscent of the Ferrari 550 Maranello, which was still hot then and now. And the two striking beads skilfully correspond with the flattened wheel arches. This coupe is already a cool appearance.

Inside, the passenger can expect comfortable sports leather seats with pronounced bolsters so that they don't fly out of the middle lane when cornering quickly. Overall, the athlete offers at least enough comfort that a rally of several hundred kilometers long can be completed with a grin on your face.

Finally, perhaps a word about the market situation: In particular, the 20V turbos, which cost over 50,000 marks (as a new car) towards the end of their construction period, are no longer a bargain for a long time and can hardly be had for less than 20,000 euros. If you are thinking about buying one, you should make sure that the timing belt is fresh, otherwise costly engine damage can occur.

In any case, the short relationship with the wild Fiat was fun. And it hurts to think that such an emotional fiat will probably never exist again. Simply because in today's SUV era, coupés are no longer so popular that economically viable quantities are possible. Maybe those responsible for Stellantis will also read this text and understand the message as an incentive. It would be nice.