The Fiat Argenta is a large family car produced by Fiat from 1981 to 1985. It was a comprehensive update of the Fiat 132 and the last mass-produced rear-wheel-drive Fiat until the 2016 124 Spider. The change of name reflected a new naming strategy that replaced three-digit numbers with words, and the model was built as a saloon only.
Fiat Argenta at a glance
| Production | 1981–1985 |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Fiat 132 |
| Successor | Fiat Croma |
| Body | four-door saloon |
| Layout | front engine, rear drive |
| Engines | 1.6 and 2.0 petrol, 2.0 i.e., 2.5 diesel |
| From 1983 | 2.45 turbodiesel of 90 PS, 2.0 supercharged VX of 135 PS |
| Equipment | electric windows, central locking, power steering, Check Panel |
| Also built | 270 cars by FSO in Poland, 1985 |
| China | 400 cars supplied in 1984 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article.
History of the Fiat Argenta
The Argenta arrived in May 1981, closely based on its predecessor, the Fiat 132. Although all body panels and windows except the doors were new, only a careful observer would have noticed, and even the 132 door handles were reused, though fitted on opposite sides so that they sat backwards on the Argenta. The most marked change was at the front, where large rectangular headlamps replaced the earlier twin round units, and bigger square rubber bumpers made the car about seven centimetres longer.
The fuel tank was moved from a somewhat exposed position at the rear right and mounted upright behind the rear seat, which also meant moving the filler from the rear wing to the C-pillar. Other changes included new trim, wheels, dashboard and mirrors, a shorter gear stick, and refined suspension and brakes. Trim was raised compared with the 132 and the contemporary 131 Mirafiori, with electric windows and central locking as well as power steering. Much was made of the new Check Panel, a diagnostic panel with a diagram of the car in which LEDs lit up if any safety-related function needed attention. Some markets had a large manually sliding steel sunroof, others an air-conditioning option.
Four engines were offered, one of them a diesel, although not all were available in every market. The Argenta 1600 had a 1.6-litre petrol engine of 96 PS; the Argenta 2000 a 2.0-litre of 113 PS and was the only engine offered in the United Kingdom at launch; the Argenta 2000 i.e. used the same engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection for 122 PS; and the Argenta 2500 D had a 2.5-litre diesel of 72 PS, recognisable by the hump on the bonnet needed to clear the larger engine. From spring 1982 the 2000 i.e. was fitted with Marelli Digiplex electronic ignition.
In June 1983 the Argenta was facelifted. The grille was renewed with the corporate five-bar design, the front end was new, the bumpers were slimmer and an anti-roll bar was mounted on the rear axle. The front axle was widened by 60 mm, the wheelbase grew by 5 mm, and new wheels with flat trims and chrome embellishers were used. Inside there were minor changes, most notably to the seat, door and roof lining trim and a new steering wheel, and the radio antenna moved from the windscreen to the roof.
The facelift also brought two new engines. Fiat’s first turbodiesel, a 2.45-litre four of 90 PS, joined the range, and in March 1984 came the Argenta VX with a supercharged 2.0-litre engine of 135 PS shared with the Lancia Volumex models. Both had rear disc brakes and a 70-litre fuel tank instead of the usual 60 litres. The VX badge was used only for export; the Italian-market car was called the SX and went on sale in June 1984. The revised line-up was named Argenta 100, 110, 120 i.e., VX or SX, Diesel and Turbo D; the carburetted two-litre Argenta 110 was sold only outside Italy and was added in March 1984.
The car remained in production until 1985, when it was replaced by the Croma. A small number, 270 examples, was also built in Poland by FSO in 1985 after Italian production had ended; FSO had assembled the Fiat 132 earlier. In February 1984 Fiat supplied 400 Argentas to the Chinese authorities for use by government officials. All were dark blue and fitted with the 2-litre engine, and they were shipped to the port of Tianjin; at the time it was the largest number of cars ever covered by a single sales agreement between a Western country and China.
Design and features
- Last of the line: the final mass-produced rear-wheel-drive Fiat until the 2016 124 Spider.
- Check Panel: a diagnostic display showing which safety function needed attention.
- Raised trim: electric windows, central locking and power steering as standard.
- Supercharged VX: a 135 PS blown two-litre with rear disc brakes and a 70-litre tank.
- Fiat’s first turbodiesel: a 2.45-litre four of 90 PS added with the 1983 facelift.
Fiat Argenta versions
- Argenta 1600: 1.6-litre petrol with 96 PS.
- Argenta 2000 and 2000 i.e.: 2.0-litre with 113 PS, or 122 PS with Bosch injection.
- Argenta 2500 D: 2.5-litre diesel of 72 PS.
- Argenta Turbo D: 2.45-litre turbodiesel of 90 PS from the facelift.
- Argenta VX and SX: supercharged 2.0-litre of 135 PS, VX for export and SX in Italy.
The Argenta was developed from the Fiat 132 and was replaced by the Fiat Croma. More cars are in the Fiat collection.
Sources
- Fiat Argenta, English Wikipedia: launch, engines, facelift, VX and SX, FSO and China
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