The Tipo was initially available only as a five-door hatchback. The car was made entirely out of galvanized body panels to avoid rust, and was built on a completely new Fiat platform, that was later used on Fiat, Alfa-Romeo and Lancia models. It also stood out, because of its boxy styling that gave it innovative levels of packaging - rear passenger room being greater than that in a rear wheel driv
e Ford Sierra, but in a car that was of a similar size to the smaller Ford Es**rt. For 1989, the Tipo won the European Car of the Year award and 1989 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland. It outsold the Volkswagen Golf, which had been the best-selling Brazilian car for over twenty years. Only the Tipo, the Fiat Uno Mille and Fiat Palio have also ever outsold the Golf. Launched in June 1988, initially base (i.e.), DGT, (early Italian market DGT models were badged as 'digit', presumably in recognition of the digital dash, but this was quickly changed to DGT after a dispute over ownership of the name, leading to confusion about whether the model was diesel powered) S, SX and 16V trim levels were available. Power from 58 to 148 PS (43 to 109 kW; 57 to 146 bhp) came from 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.8 16v, 2.0, and 2.0 16v petrol engines as well as a 1.7 diesel, 1.9 diesel and 1.9 turbo-diesel. The 1.1 L base engine was widely regarded as underpowered for the car; which was otherwise roomy for five adults and with above average equipment. The top of the range was the 2.0 Sedicivalvole (16 valves). The Sedicivalvole gained its engine from the Lancia Thema, and with a much smaller and lighter bodyshell to house it, this power unit brought superb performance and handling, and a top speed of around 130 mph (210 km/h) which made it faster than the Volkswagen Golf GTI of that era. The Tipo was facelifted in 1993 and saw the addition of a three-door version, minor exterior changes (the two evolutions of the car can be differentiated by their slightly different radiator grilles and headlamps) and improved specification; safety features like stiffer bodyshells, driver's airbag and side impact bars were added to the range. This saw new S, SX and SLX trim levels, as well as a new eight-valve 2.0 GT model.The Tipo finally ceased production in the summer of 1995 and was replaced by the three-door Fiat Bravo and five-door Fiat Brava. The Tempra saloon and estate (Station Wagon) were replaced by the Marea. The Bravo and Brava were strong sellers throughout Europe, but the Marea was a disappointment on most markets. It was a reasonably strong seller in the UK, initially winning plaudits for its innovative and practical design as well as its good handling. The 1.1 L version was not available in the UK - the 1.4 L was the base model. The digital dashboard of higher end models proved to be controversial and unreliable. The car launched into a favourable market in the UK, where none of the "big three" carmakers (Ford, Vauxhall and Austin Rover) had launched a new car of this size since 1984. However, these three marques all had new Tipo-sized products within three years, and increased competition reduced the Tipo's sales. The final two years 1994/95 saw a significant increase in sales, but these were mostly of the low priced 1.4 L models. In Brazil, it only started to be produced that year (1995), in a single trim level. It had a 1.6 8V engine with multipoint fuel injection, which offered a 10 PS (7.4 kW) increase compared to the old 1.6 i.e., producing 92 PS (68 kW). Previously, the Tipo had been imported from Italy and was available with three different trims that were closely associated with its engines: the basic 1.6 i.e., the luxurious 2.0 8V and the sporty 2.0 16V Sedicivalvole. It was also built in Turkey, by Tofaş. The Turkish-built cars generally did not feature catalytic converters and some thus have marginally more power than listed in the table beneath. The Turkish cars also have a small "Tofaş" logo on the left side of the bootlid, and production continued until 1999. Equipment levels on Tipo I serie:
* Base (1988-1993),
* DGT (1988-1991): digital dashboard, front electric windows, check panel, central locking, velvet interior, height adjustable steering wheel, partially body-colored bumpers, front white indicators, tile DGT on the side.
* AGT (1990-1991): analog dashboard, front electric windows, check panel, central locking, fabric interior Pied de poule, partially body-colored bumpers and front white indicators.
* GT (1990-1993): power steering, side window black frames, sport seats, tachometer, height-adjustable seat belts, front electric windows, check panel, tinted windows, central locking, fog lights and tires 185/60 R14 H.
* i.e. 16v (1989-1992): door pillars clad in black, sport seats, analog dashboard with tachometer, oil pressure gauge and thermometer and check panel, height-adjustable seat belts, sport steering wheel model-specific, front electric windows , power steering, tinted windows, central locking, fog lights, red trim on the bumpers, lower air intake and chromed alloy wheels 14".
* S (1991-1993): analog dashboard, front electric windows, central locking, fabric interior Pied de poule, partially body-colored bumpers and front white indicators.
* SX (1991-1993): analog or digital instruments (no cost option), front electric windows, check panel, central locking, velvet interior, height adjustable steering wheel, partially body-colored bumpers and front white indicators.
* Sedicivalvole (1991-1993): side window black frames, sport Recaro seats, analog dashboard with tachometer, oil pressure gauge and thermometer and check panel, height-adjustable seat belts, front electric windows, power steering, sport Momo steering wheel specific leather (similar to Uno Turbo), leather gear k**b, tinted windows, central locking, fog lights, red trim on the bumpers, tires 185/55 R15" and chromed alloy wheels 15". Special limited versions:
* T.ds X (1989): analog dashboard with tachometer, sport seats, three-spoke sport steering wheel, oil pressure gauge, pressure gauge of the turbocharger and check panel, adjustable seat height (only for foreign markets), front electric windows, power steering, tinted windows, central locking, two black side mirrors, front bumper and rear black with red inserts and fog lights (equal to those of 16V).
* Smart (1990): renaming of 1.1 Base.
* York (1990): available in version 1.4, 1.4 DGT and 1.6 DGT with engine modifications designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions - recognizable for moving the air filter on the side of the engine.
* Moonlight (1991): made on the basis of 1.6 AGT, characterized by the eletric sunroof, specific coatings, wheel cups of special design, stickers "Moonlight" and finally bumpers and rear-view mirrors entirely in tint with the body, available only in metallic burgundy color.
* Clip (1992): intermediate version between S and SX, available in versions 1.4 and 1.4 i.e..
* Suite (1992): provided in version 1.6 i.e. Catalytic EURO1 with 75hp (in other European markets was also available 1.4 or 1.8 i.e. with catalyst), Designed to improve the level of quality on the production, had high quality finishes. Standard are offered power steering, air conditioning (strength of the campaign), tinted windows, interior fabric or special (optional) in black or burgundy, electrically adjustable side mirrors in body color with defrosting, height-adjustable seat belts, the adjustable driver's seat height and lumbar, leather sport steering wheel, specific (different from Sedicivalvole) with crown black leather interior, or burgundy color with maroon interior, as well as the shift k**b and hand brake in black leather, 165/65 R14 tires, alloy 14" wheels. The steering wheel was also available with wooden crown. Optional for all versions were: tinted windows, air conditioner, power steering, sunroof (manual or electric), additional external mirror right, right outside mirror additional electrically adjustable and both with resistance for defrosting, driver seat height adjustment, driver seat head split, 165/65 R14 low-profile tires or 165/70 R13 series, headlamp washers, metallic paint and rear belts with reel. Equipment levels on Tipo II serie (facelift) (1993-1995):
* S - (1.4 i.e, 1.6 i.e., 1.7 D): height-adjustable seat belts, front electric windows as standard (with 3-door version).
* SX (1.4 i.e., 1.6 i.e., 1.6 i.e. automatic, 1.9 D, 1.9 TD): hydraulic power steering, tachometer, height-adjustable seat belts, front electric windows, check panel, tinted windows, central locking, velvet interior, exterior mirrors and matching underbumper.
* HSD (High Safety Drive): inertial switch fire, ABS, airbags, hydraulic power steering, seat belt pretensioners, tachometer, height-adjustable seat belts, front electric windows, check panel, tinted windows, central locking, velvet interior, exterior mirrors and matching underbumper.
* SLX (1.8 i.e.e 2.0 i.e.automatic) (5-door only): tachometer, hydraulic power steering, height-adjustable seat belts, side window black frames, front electric windows, check panel, tinted windows, central locking, velvet interior, adjustable driver's seat height, lumbar part and center armrest, fog lights, alloy wheels 14", 185/60 R14H tires, rear headrests, 4-wheel disc brakes (vented front), outside mirrors and underbumper matching with increased air intakes.
* GT (1.8 i.e.e 1.9 TD) (3-door only): power steering, side window glossy black frames, profiled Recaro sport seats, tachometer, height-adjustable seat belts, front electric windows.
* Sedicivalvole (2.0 i.e. 16V)
