In addition to specific models of captive imports mentioned above, a number of import brands have been available in the hatchback body style as a primary model: Acura Integra, Toyota Celica, Fiat Strada., Volkswagen Golf, etc.

This version of the Astra was a quick and stylish alternative to the Ford Escort XR3, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Fiat Strada 105TC.

Between 1973 and 1980, the following medium sized hatchbacks were launched across Europe: the Chrysler / Simca Horizon, Fiat Ritmo ( Strada in the UK ), Ford Escort MK3, Renault 14, Volvo 340 / 360, Opel Kadett and Volkswagen Golf.

Production of all 128s except that of the base 1100 cc powered model ceased in 1979 after the introduction of the Fiat Ritmo / Strada in 1978, whilst in 1980 a small three-door station wagon Panorama was dropped from the range.

There was great variation in how the performance modifications were developed, with manufacturers selecting improving the carburettor such as the 1981 Ford Fiesta XR2, fuel injection as with the Peugeot 205 GTI and 309 GTI, turbocharging by Renault in the 5 GT Turbo and 11 Turbo or inserting larger engines such as the 2. 0 litre Fiat Ritmo / Fiat Strada Abarth 130 TC.

Towards the end of the 1970s, the Avenger was being increasingly outclassed by the new generation of modern front-wheel drive hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra and Fiat Ritmo / Strada, although this was less of a problem following the launch of the Horizon hatchback in late 1977.

The Palio platform is also used to produce the Fiat Siena sedan, the Fiat Palio Weekend station wagon, the Fiat Palio Adventure crossover and the Fiat Strada light pick-up truck.

In India was assembly at Pune in the new Fiat-Tata Motors factory and in South Africa was assembly by Nissan together the pick-up version called Fiat Strada.

It was badged in Great Britain and North America as the Fiat Strada.

A 1982-83 Fiat Strada.

In North America, the Fiat Strada was introduced for the 1979 model year to replace the 128.

* Strada Abarth 130TC and Fiat 131 Owners Club

* Fiat Strada adventure

The Fiat Strada is a supermini coupé utility version of the Italian automaker Fiat's " world car " project, the Palio.

The Strada was born to replace the City, a pickup version of the Fiorino, a commercial derivative of the Fiat Uno.

In 2002, Fiat do Brasil launched the first version of a Fiat Strada Adventure, with " off-road " looks.

In 2010 Fiat do Brazil introduced a new double cab version ( also called Strada Cabina Dupla ) with four seats and long wheelbase.

File: 2004 Fiat Strada Pickup. jpg | 2001 Fiat Strada

In the 80s Abarth name was mainly used to mark performance Fiats like Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130 TC.

The Fiat Dino was originally equipped with a live axle suspended by a single leaf spring, but later examples used a sophisticated coil-sprung independent rear suspension setup derived from the Fiat 130.

Before that was the rear-engined Škoda's from Škoda 1000MB ( produced from 1964 ) to Škoda 130 / 135 / 136 ( produced until 1990 ) or the Polski Fiat 126p ( produced until October 2000 ).

Special BCD values are: 95. 25 mm ( for MGF and Rover Metro ), 98 mm ( for Fiat group automobiles ), 101. 6 mm ( for Mini, MG, Austin Metro ), 100 or 105 mm ( for some GM vehicles ), 108 mm ( mostly for PSA, Ford and Lincoln ), 110 mm ( for some GM vehicles ), 112 mm ( for Mercedes-Benz and some VW group vehicles ), 115 mm ( for some GM vehicles ), 120 mm ( mostly for BMW ), 130 mm ( for Porsche ), 170 mm ( for Saab 96 ).

The Fiat 130 is a large executive car manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat, which was available as a saloon or coupé.

The press soon concluded that the was insufficient in view of the weight of about, hence the Fiat 130 berlina type " A " did not compete with the big BMW and Mercedes sedans.

Fiat 130 Coupe ( UK model )

Pininfarina extended the Fiat 130 Coupé line with two proposals that were rejected by Fiat: the Maremma in 1974 ( 2-door shooting break ) and the Opera in 1975 ( 4-door saloon ).

Paolo Martin never got involved in these Fiat 130 Coupé variations, as he left the company soon after the design prize in 1971.

Fiat 130 Coupé

Retrospectively, if one compares the 130 with big BMW and Mercedes sedans, the Fiat 130 Berlina type " B " may be the winner in terms of interior design and some comfort elements.

But if one is considering the dynamic elements like power and ride comfort, the Fiat 130 type " B " is still lagging as the engine is not blessed with fuel injection ( somewhat difficult to start — depending on the conditions ), the engine does not have hydraulic self-adjusting valves, and the engine is simply not powerful enough.

Fiat 130

cs: Fiat 130

de: Fiat 130

fr: Fiat 130

it: Fiat 130

pl: Fiat 130

A second spin-off was TC 2000 Championship in the 1980s, that allowed showcasing the smaller cars most Argentines were driving ( and thus including Peugeot, Renault, Fiat and Volkswagen into the mix, and later on Japanese brands as well ).

Abarth 595, derived from Fiat 500

Abarth was sold to Fiat on July 31, 1971, and the racing team sold to Enzo Osella.

Abarth became the racing department of Fiat, managed by famed engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.

Some models built by Fiat or its subsidiaries Lancia and Autobianchi were co-branded Abarth, the most famous being the Autobianchi A112 Abarth, probably the most popular " boy racer " vehicle of its time on account of its lightness and low price.

Abarth also prepared Fiat Group's rally cars like Fiat 124 Abarth and 131 Abarth.

In 2007 Fiat Automobiles SpA relaunched the brand with the Grande Punto Abarth and the Grande Punto Abarth S2000.

** The team of Walter Röhrl / Christian Geistdörfer won the Monte Carlo Rally driving a Fiat 131 Abarth

Toivonen also competed in two WRC events: the 1000 Lakes with a Fiat 131 Abarth and the RAC with a Ford Escort RS.

Bertone has styled cars for Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Ferrari, Fiat, Iso Rivolta, Lancia, Lamborghini, Mercedes Benz, Opel and Volvo Cars, among others.

Research into aerodynamics culminated in the production of the Abarth 750 Record in 1956, built on a Fiat 600 chassis and tested on the high speed track at Monza.

Lamborghini Countach and the Ferrari 308 GT4 of 1973, the Audi 50 and Innocenti Mini 90 of 1974, the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally in 1975 and the prototype Alfa Romeo Navajo in 1976.

* 1952 Fiat Abarth 1500 Coupé

Some of these improvements were subsequently adopted on Fiat 500 Abarth and Fiat 500C models.