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Fiat 132
Fiat 132 after the 1974 redesign
Overview
Manufacturer	Fiat
Also called	Fiat Elita (South Africa)
Production	1972–1981
Assembly	Italy: Turin Chile: Rancagua South Africa: Rosslyn South Korea: Hwasung (Kia Motors) Yugoslavia: Zagreb
Designer	Marcello Gandini
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car (D)
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	SEAT 132
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6 L DOHC I4 1.8 L DOHC I4 2.0 L DOHC I4 Diesel: 2.0 L I4 2.5 L I4
Transmission	4 and 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,557 mm (100.7 in)
Length	4,405 mm (173.4 in)
Width	1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Height	1,422 mm (56.0 in)
Curb weight	1120-1170 kg (2469-2579 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Fiat 125
Successor	Fiat Argenta

The Fiat 132 is a large family car produced by the Italian automobile company Fiat from 1972 to 1981. An updated version of the 132, called the Argenta, was produced from 1981 to 1985.

Fiat 132 (1972–1974)

The 132 was introduced as a replacement for the Fiat 125 and like it, came with twin overhead cam (TC) engines as standard. However, the Fiat 132 looked more like the larger top-of-the-range Fiat 130.

Like the 125, the 132 came with a five-speed manual gearbox, optional in some markets and standard in others: this was still a relatively unusual feature in this class of car in 1977. GM "Strasbourg" automatic transmission was listed as an option.

The first series of the 132 was available in two versions: 'normal' (only 1600 engine) and 'special' (1600 or 1800 engine).

Fiat 132 (1974–1977)

A major update to the front suspension was implemented for January 1974 in response to criticism of the handling and very low geared steering. Press reports of the time commend the improved handling which was also supported by the fitting of wider tires, although poor fuel consumption at high speed continued to draw adverse comment, even where the (unusual for the time) five speed transmission option was specified. At the same time, an external redesign gave the impression of a lowered waistline resulting from larger side windows. It included a new grille, new rear lights and a reshaped C-pillar which had a semblance of BMW's "Hofmeister kink" and reminded some of the BMW 5 Series, introduced two years before.

For the driver, new shock absorbers accompanied the suspension improvements. The 1600 cc engine remained unchanged but the 1800 cc engine benefited from a modified cylinder head and carburettor, resulting in a small increase in claimed output to 107 hp (80 kW), along with a usefully flattened torque curve. Interior improvements included a redesigned steering wheel along with improved heating and ventilation controls.

The second series of the 132 was available as GL (only 1600 engine) and as GLS (1600 or 1800 engine).

Fiat 132 (1977–1981)

In April 1977, the 132 received a further facelift. New plastic "safety" bumpers were introduced to the model plus big rubber side protection strips, and the gearing of the steering was raised, supported by the addition of servo-assistance. Inside were a new dashboard and seat trims. At this point, with the 130 having been discontinued, the 132 became the "flagship" of the Fiat range.

The third series of the 132 was only available in one unified version, where some of the standard equipment of the 2-liter version was optional for the 1600 version. An innovative feature of this edition were the acrylic sunvisors, which could be extracted from the headliner, both forward and sideways at the same time.

Engines

The Fiat 132 was available with the following engines:

Petrol

• 1592 cc, 98 PS (72 kW; 97 hp) at 6,000 rpm, 13.2 kg⋅m (129 N⋅m; 95 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm (1972-77)
• 1585 cc, 98 PS (72 kW; 97 hp) at 5,600 rpm, 13.4 kg⋅m (131 N⋅m; 97 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm (from 1977)
• 1756 cc, 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 5,600 rpm, 14.4 kg⋅m (141 N⋅m; 104 lb⋅ft) at 4,200 rpm (1972–74)
• 1756 cc, 107 PS (79 kW; 106 hp) at 6,000 rpm, 14.4 kg⋅m (141 N⋅m; 104 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm (1974–76)
• 1756 cc, 111 PS (82 kW; 109 hp) at 5,600 rpm, 15.1 kg⋅m (148 N⋅m; 109 lb⋅ft) at 3,400 rpm (1976–77)
• 1995 cc, 112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp) at 5,600 rpm, 16.1 kg⋅m (158 N⋅m; 116 lb⋅ft) at 3,000 rpm (from 1977)
• 1995 cc fuel injection, 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp) at 5,300 rpm, 17.5 kg⋅m (172 N⋅m; 127 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm (from 1979)

Diesel

• 1995 cc, 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) at 4,400 rpm, 11.5 kg⋅m (113 N⋅m; 83 lb⋅ft) at 2,400 rpm (from 1978)
• 2445 cc, 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) at 4,200 rpm, 15 kg⋅m (150 N⋅m; 110 lb⋅ft) at 2,400 rpm (from 1978)

Overseas assembly

The 132 had limited manufacture outside Italy compared to its predecessor 125. The car was built in Spain by SEAT with a version that was sold between 1973 and 1982. It was also assembled in South Africa by Fiat's local assemblers in Rosslyn. After the 1977 update, the 132 was renamed "Elita" in South Africa, and due to a shortage of capacity at Fiat's plant it was assembled by competitors Alfa Romeo South Africa.

The 132 was also assembled in Yugoslavia by Zastava, in Zagreb. Cars arrived there practically fully completed, and there parts like wheels, battery, and also a plate which confirmed that car was assembled in Yugoslavia (under the name "Zastava 132"), were put. There weren't any differences from the Italian-built model. Assembly lasted from 1974 to 1981, and some 2,000–3,000 examples were built. It was particularly popular between directors and officials. The 132 was succeeded by Fiat Argenta in Zastava's lineup.

In Poland the 132 was offered from 1973 as the Polski Fiat 132p. The car was described as "assembled by FSO", though actually the cars were shipped from Italy almost complete. FSO only did the final assembly, fitting minor parts like wipers, batteries, seats, wheels and logos. The Polski Fiat 132p was a favourite with high state officials and security services. For internal market it was available only for hard currency in Pewex stores. Until 1981, 4461 were assembled. 270 Argentas were also assembled in this way in 1985 by FSO.

Kia built 4,759 units of the 132 from CKD kits in South Korea, from 1979.

References

1. Wright, Cedric, ed. (September 1978). "Fiat Elita 2000: the new flagship". CAR (South Africa). Vol. 22, no. 8. Ramsay, Son & Parker (Pty) ltd. p. 54.
2. ^ "Fiat's new flagship". Autocar. Vol. 146, no. 4197. 16 April 1977. pp. 44–45.
3. "Autotest: Fiat 132 1800 Special". Autocar. Vol. 138, no. 4003. 15 February 1973. pp. 12–17.
4. ^ Mazzocchi Bordone, Maria Giovanna (2010). Fiat, tutti i modelli del novecento [Fiat, all the 20th century models]. Un secolo di auto italiana. Vol. II. Rozzano (MI): Editoriale Domus.
5. ^ "Fiat 132 GLS". L'Auto-Journal: Le Salon de l'Auto 1974. Numero Special: 61. September 1974.
6. ^ "Zahlreiche Aenderungen nahm Fiat am Mittelklasse-Modell 132 vor, dessen Verkauf sich bisher nur schleppend entwickelt hat...". Auto Motor u. Sport. Vol. Heft 3 1974. February 1974. pp. Seite 23.
7. ^ Podbielski, Zdzisław (2019). Samochody montażowe z Żerania, "Auto Świat Classic" Nr 4/2019, p. 132-137 (Polish)
8. "Kia history". Kia UK. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
9. "Rising out of Asia". thehyway.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved 2010-11-02.

External links

Media related to Fiat 132 at Wikimedia Commons

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