Just wondering what are the benefits of the VIS engine over the original 20v

(Apart from an extra 7bhp)

This link I found was interesting:- http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/?navi=THE%20CAR&page=2.0%2020V

Peak torque comes as lower RPM.

Variable intake tract length based on engine RPM, Fly by wire rather than a traditional cable. Also sound different because of the intake. They run different ECU's.

The VIS seems to be much more sensitive to MAF and intake modifications, it does not respond well to after market filters. I would take a non vis over a vis but thats just me.

yeah...

I think that the non-VIS, or N/A (as they say) generally sounds and comes across as like more of a 'car'. But that the VIS is more refined in terms of engine management and pretty much optimised the way it is, so to speak.

I ran a Bravo HGT for a while, and then a Bravo 155 20V, which was the follow up- these cars had the N/A & VIS engines respectively, and there's certainly a distinction.
The VIS felt more anaemic, but was faster and had better economy.

I also ran a Coupe N/A for a while (but it was 16 years ago).

as for further engine-management details, we may have to wait for professional opinion!

I've owned both like dante, and they are different beasts.

The VIS is more refined and smoother. Also, the power delivery seems more linear due to the variable inlet. In my old NA, there was a more distinct power band at 4,500rpm. In the VIS, it is flatter, with a slight kick at 5,500rpm when the VIS kicks in, and loves to rev to the red line. Horses for courses.

I prefer my VIS more for the fact that it is a later model, so has the body coloured sills and special alloys. I actually think the older NA sounded better though. More raw.

Some of the parts on the VIS are more modern too. The MAF for example is far cheaper to buy than the older NA version. Not keen on the plastic engine cover though...

As for economy, my VIS is pretty good on fuel, partly due to a remap.

I wasn't even aware of the 20v variants (N/A - VIS) before I purchased and it looks like mine is the VIS.

"..the VIS, it is flatter, with a slight kick at 5,500rpm when the VIS kicks in, and loves to rev to the red line." - sounds good to me.

"I actually think the older NA sounded better though. More raw." - yes, that is true.

"Not keen on the plastic engine cover though..." - same here!

"The VIS felt more anaemic, but was faster and had better economy." - I'll take the latter two points happily.


My only other experience of a Coupe was a 1996 16v model (non-turbo). It sounded and looked like it went a lot faster than it actually did. I let a friend of mine drive it once and he commented on the lack of "go". Perhaps it wasn't the best example, it was 7 years ago and i don't recall paying much for it when I bought it.

Fair enough

Like Gripped, I was very happy to get a later model as the ravages of time might have been kinder to the car.

There are two things that aRe particularly great about the VIS, which from memory were not shared by the N/A.

It is very flattering to a poor driver. If you have someone who ignores a steep hill at low speed and attempts the incline in third, the car will adapt to get the best it can from the engine.
It seems to have good realtime torque/revs adaptability. Perhaps this is a lie, but I've always perceived it to be the case.

Secondarily, what is great about the drive-by-wire, is that in some respect, you can't 'hurt the car'.
If you were to 'floor it', you are not forcing the car to do anything, you are 'asking it'.
When I had the Bravo 155 20v and the opportunity was there (leaving a roundabout onto the A1) you could push right down on the right foot and it would just build and build.
It's not 'like a turbo'- it's just progressive. I never red lined it or anything and would never stamp on it for acceleration suddenly, but it seemed apparent that the car would, in a very controlled way, try to give everything it had if you asked.

It was the fastest non-turbo car I've ever had. I don't drive 'like that' anymore, although I do think there is some benefit to opening up a Coupé of any flavour, when you get a chance.

Oil temperature permitting of course.

I love my VIS and the only thing that was better about the non-VIS N/A I drove previously was the engine note.

Yes Annie,

I think that is a classic comment...