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FIAT Uno 3 Doors Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 1983
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Hatchback
FIAT Uno 3 Doors photo gallery

In 1989, the Italian carmaker introduced a facelifted version for the 1983 Fiat Uno, a car designed to be used mainly in the cities.

In just six years, the automotive industry rocketed from the carburetor era to the fuel-injected period. The vehicles introduced at the beginning of the '80s were already obsolete by the end of that decade. Fiat still had to rely on the Uno as a base version for a small family hatchback, and it refreshed it in 1989 on all the areas.

At the beginning of the '80s, straight lines and sharp angles were a major trend in automotive design, but there was a consistent trend for the customers to prefer rounded vehicles. Fiat updated the Uno design and softened the angles, so the car didn't look like a box on wheels. There was a new pair of smaller headlights and wrapped around plastic bumpers. The Uno was available with a three- and a five-door version. The former featured longer doors to provide easier access to the rear seats. To emphasize the car's sportier character, a rear spoiler was mounted on the tailgate.

Inside, there was a new dashboard design with an integrated ashtray in the center console. Previously, that was installed on top of the panel, like it was added afterward. The designers also enhanced the glove compartment. In the back, the three-door Uno featured a folding bench to expand the trunk space.

Under the hood, Fiat installed a new engine range, and the former 0.9-liter version was dropped. Its top-spec performance was the Turbo, which featured a 1.4-liter unit that offered 114 hp. It was an increase of 9 hp than on its predecessor 1.3-liter Turbo from the 1983 model.

full description and technical specifications
FIAT Uno 3 Doors photo gallery

The Uno was built as a replacement for the 127 model, and thanks to its huge success, it was considered Fiat's savior.

By 1983, Fiat was already in a bad financial situation. Its models were not as appealing as before, and the German brands gained more and more market shares. The French companies were also stronger and made Fiat struggle for a piece of the market. Its Ritmo, Argenta, and 127 couldn't keep up with the competition. Then, the carmaker asked Giugiaro to make a new car for them, and the result was the Uno.

With its simple design, but not dull, the Uno won the customers. The flat surfaces meant that it was cheap to build, and the smart design cues made it a favorite on the market. Its squared headlights, flat grille, and straight panels were easy to understand. The car offered a better ingress and egress for the front passengers in three-door versions, while the slim pillars made it easy to drive, offering excellent all-around visibility.

Inside, Fiat tried to keep things simple. The squared-looking dashboard with its vents in the middle and a wide storage area on top of the panel was user-friendly, not to mention the very easy-to-reach ashtray. Back in the '80s, smoking was common behavior, and hiding that feature at the bottom of the center stack was not a good idea.

The three-door version was the most affordable if equipped with the base engine version. Fiat installed a turbocharged engine for the most potent version, Uno Turbo, that provided 105 hp on the other end of the scale.

full description and technical specifications