Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
The first generation of the Fiat 500 was produced for almost 18 years and when Fiat decided that it was time for a new model, they released the Fiat 126 in 1972. The mini car was presented at the Turin Auto Show. As the car was produced in Poland, at Bielsko-Biala, the car was named the Polski Fiat.
The Fiat 126 was pretty much the same Fiat 500 when it came to the wheelbase and the mechanical underpinnings, however, the bodyshell was all new. The car was still a 4-passenger, rear- engined city car.
5 years later, in 1977, the engine capacity was increased by 58cc (a total of 652cc), with the power remaining the same of 23hp, however, the torque increased from 29 lb.-ft to 32 lb.-ft.
The car’s price was relatively low and it became Poland’s most popular car in the 80’s. Being a successful model, Fiat kept upgrading it over the years and thus its production lasted until 2000.
The first upgrades included new brakes, new wheels and with the new lightning requirements came the hazard warning lights.
In 1984 the car was refreshed and the facelifted version was named the Fiat 126p FL – the upgrades included a reverse and a fog rear light added to the plastic bumper, as well as an electronic ignition system. Another facelifted version was introduced in 1994 using some parts from the already released Fiat Cinquecento.
ENGINE SPECS - 0.6L 4MT RWD (23 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L2 |
Displacement: | 594 cm3 |
Power: | 16.9 KW @ 4800 RPM 23 HP @ 4800 RPM 23 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 29 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 39 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 41 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Drums |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 135 SR 12 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 120.2 in (3053 mm) |
Width: | 54.2 in (1377 mm) |
Height: | 52.6 in (1336 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 45/47.4 in (1,143/1,204 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 72.4 in (1839 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 3.5 cuFT (99 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.47 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1279 lbs (580 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 1984 lbs (900 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 43.6 mpg US (5.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 0.7L 4MT RWD (24 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L2 |
Displacement: | 652 cm3 |
Power: | 17.7 KW @ 4500 RPM 24 HP @ 4500 RPM 24 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 30 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 41 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 46 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Drums |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 135 SR 12 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 123.2 in (3129 mm) |
Width: | 54.4 in (1382 mm) |
Height: | 52.6 in (1336 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 45/47.4 in (1,143/1,204 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 72.4 in (1839 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.9 in (124 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 3.5 cuFT (99 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.47 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1323 lbs (600 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2028 lbs (920 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 43.6 mpg US (5.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 0.7L 4MT RWD (26 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L2 |
Displacement: | 704 cm3 |
Power: | 19.1 KW @ 4500 RPM 26 HP @ 4500 RPM 26 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 36 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 49 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 72 mph (116 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 33 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Drums |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 135/70 SR 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 120.2 in (3053 mm) |
Width: | 54.2 in (1377 mm) |
Height: | 52.6 in (1336 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 45/47.4 in (1,143/1,204 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 72.4 in (1839 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 3.5 cuFT (99 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.47 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1367 lbs (620 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2161 lbs (980 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 40.6 mpg US (5.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 52.3 mpg US (4.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 45.2 mpg US (5.2 L/100Km) |