FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 September 1998

Limited Edition versions of Fiat Auto's widely acclaimed sportscars, the Coupe and Barchetta, have their UK public debut on the Fiat stand at the British International Motor Show which opens in Birmingham on 22 October.

Based on the Coupe 20v Turbo and featuring a six-speed gearbox, the new 155 mph Coupe Limited Edition is equipped with leather Recaro sports seats, air conditioning, push-button starter, new body-coloured aerodynamic side skirts, and titanium-coloured exterior and interior fittings.
Together with cross-drilled front disc brakes and four-piston Brembo calipers resplendent in red, the new Coupe's visual impact is matched only by its supercar rerformance. This version is joined on the stand by a normally aspirated Coupe 20v.

The Limited Edition Barchetta, available in left-hand drive only, has a high specification and comes in two colour co-ordinated versions: Stelvio Green. with a tan leather interior and matching hood, or Steel Grey metallic, with a red leather interior (on show).
Sleering wheel, gear lever, door inserts and interior door handles are leather covered, while 15" alloy wheels and 195/55 Rl5 tyres, front fog lights, titanium coloured air vents and instrument surrounds, electric mirrors and aerial, central locking and a
wind-stop are all part of the specification.

Standard equipment also includes ABS anti-lock brakes, driver's airbag, power steering, electric windows, height adjustable steering wheel, seatbelt pretensioners, an RDS stereo radio/cassette with four speakers, immobiliser and Fire Prevention System.

First introduced in spring 1995. the Barchetta's bold appearance is, like the Coupe, the work of Fiat Centro Stile in Turin. Although built only in left-hand drive, Barchetta is fully homologated for the UK.

Elsewhere on the stand, Fiat is exhibiting a powerful, refined and economical new turbodiesel version of the Fiat Brava (TDI05 ELX), powered by the company's advanced new 1.9 litre direct injection 'common rail' diesel engine. Shortly to go on sale here, the Brava TD 105 ELX features outstanding performance, refinement and fuel returns.

The three door Bravo range is represented by SX and high performance HGT versions.

Fiat Auto's new city car, the Seicento, which went on sale here earlier this year, is already proving very popular. Three versions are on show, including the Citymatic, a clutchles manual transmission version with standard equipment electric power steering. which will shortly become available here.

Substantially revised in 1997, and now with the addition of a powerful and efficient 2 litre 16v engine, the Punto was the best selling car in Europe last year, as it was in the UK for the month of July this year. Five versions are on show, including a
Cahrio. GT and turbodiesel (TD70 SX).

The Marea medium saloon and station wagon range is represented by the five cylinder ) HLX saloon and TOl25 HLX Weekend (station wagon); and the line-up is
completed by an Ulysse 2.0 EL people carrier.

Fiat Auto' s August sales result (25,133 cars for a market share of 5.0%) continues the positive direction which the company has sustained this year in the UK. To date, year on year (Jan-Aug), Fiat car sales in the UK are 9.2% up on the same period in 1997, while Alfa Romeo sales are up 36.5%. To date, the total UK market is up by just 4% compared with 1997.

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