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Fiat Tempra Turbo, with a 165 hp Fiat turbo engine, was the fastest in Brazil and cost the equivalent of more than 200 thousand reais today!
In 1994, the Fiat Tempra Turbo not only accelerated on the tracks but also in the hearts of Brazilians. Costing approximately $40 at the time, according to analyst João Anacleto, which today would be equivalent to more than 200 thousand reais, the Fiat sports sedan was the pinnacle of luxury and power. Equipped with the renowned Fiat turbo engine, it held the title of fastest car in Brazil, easily leaving behind rivals like the Omega CD. Can you imagine paying 200 thousand reais for a car in the 90s?
Launched in April 1994 as the 95 model, the The Fiat Tempra Turbo was Fiat's response to the growing demand for sports cars in Brazil. With 165 horsepower and over 26 kgfm of torque, this sedan surprised with its performance. According to the automaker, he reached the impressive mark of 220 km/h, something rarely proven on the tracks, but enough to guarantee its place on the podium of the fastest cars of the time.
We heard from automotive expert João Anacleto, who shared his vision about the impact of this car on the market: “The Tempra Turbo was a game-changer. It brought innovative technologies to Brazil, such as electronic injection, and a robust engine that was not seen in domestic models. It was a respectable car, and anyone who drove it felt that.”
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Fiat Turbo engine: technology and performance
The heart of the Fiat Tempra Turbo was the famous Fiat 2.0 engine with Garrett T3 turbocharger, an innovation for the time. According to experts, the engine generated its maximum power at 3.000 rpm, providing impressive performance, especially on the highway. However, the sedan's weight distribution (61% front and 39% rear) created a somewhat unstable sensation on curves, which scared drivers who were not used to so much power in a national car.
Compared to the Omega CD, which was also an icon of the time, the Tempra stood out not only for its more powerful engine, but for being lighter and more agile. João Anacleto also mentioned: “The Tempra had superior acceleration performance to the Omega, and its aerodynamic design helped achieve this advantage.”
Luxury and comfort inside
Inside, the Fiat Tempra Turbo oozed comfort and technology. It came equipped with standard items such as digital air conditioning (a novelty in Brazil), velvet seats, progressive power steering and a panel full of indicators that monitored everything from oil pressure to engine temperature. The car also featured a high-quality sound system, something rare for vehicles of the time.
Another distinguishing feature of the Fiat Tempra Turbo was its interior space, with capacity for up to five people comfortably and a 413-liter trunk, rivaling sedans in higher categories. All of this made the Tempra not only a sports car, but also a practical option for those who needed space and comfort in their daily lives.
Speed and exclusivity of the Fiat Tempra Turbo
Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,2 seconds, the Fiat Tempra Turbo was a great performer on the roads, outperforming many competitors. Its 14-inch wheels, common at the time, and its aerodynamic design were the perfect complement to the powerful engine and sporty look.
Despite all its success, few people were able to afford this machine. In 1994, prices of between 37 and 40 thousand dollars made the Fiat Tempra Turbo a car for the select few, a true jewel from Fiat. Today, cars from this era are true collector's items, and can still be found for high prices on the used car market. The price of the top-of-the-line model was around 40 thousand dollars, and it was published in Revista Carro in 1995. At that time, the dollar was worth R$0,90.
The Fiat Tempra Turbo was not just a fast car, it was a milestone in Brazilian automotive history. Representing the pinnacle of Fiat engineering and technology in the 90s, it continues to be remembered with nostalgia by sports car enthusiasts. If you could go back in time, would you invest all that money in this machine?
Cars have always been expensive in Brazil, but at the time there was parity with the dollar, so the cost was not “200 thousand reais”, it was 40 thousand reais…
In fact, the Fiat Tempra cost between US$8.000,00 and US$10.000,00, at that time, in current dollars, it corresponds today to R$50.000,00, fifty thousand reais for the most expensive version.