Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo

Speed and style in one glorious package

My Fiat Coupe is a late model (2000) 20 valve turbo, so has a six speed gear box and aluminium push starter button. Electric blue with contrasting beige leather seats it makes a great swift and stylish sports tourer that has taken me across Europe down to Italy and Spain several times. For the price, it's hard to find anything that combines a similar combination of driving fun and looks. The five-cylinder, 220bhp engine has masses of torque, peaking at 228ftlb at only 2500 rpm, with the turbo progressively kicking in 3000 rpm with the engine spinning round effortlessly to the rev limit at 7000rpm and beyond. It does this accompanied by a glorious growl. It will do 70mph in 2nd and over a hundred in 3rd, topping out at 155mph in 5th. Effectively preventing torque steer is a viscous drive differential. With direct and sensitive steering, flat stance and bags of grip it has confidence inspiring handling, making corners fun.

The Fiat Coupe is practical, providing reasonable accommodation for two passengers in the back and decent boot space with a handy 'ski hatch' to tackle long items. Ride comfort is good for a sports car.

When in production, the Fiat Coupe was well received by motoring journalists, including gaining coupe of the year award by What Car? magazine two years in a row.

The galvanised body has resisted rust and there has been no issues with reliability - all it has required is an annual service and replacement of usual consumables - brake discs and pads, preventative maintenance - replacement of hoses at 12 years, which become brittle with age, and oil cooler feed pipes, aluminium replacement rad and pair of track rod ends.

For a 155mph sports car it's surprisingly cheap to run with a number of excellent independent specialists who are able to provide support.

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