| Fiat 126 Polski Fiat 126p | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Fiat (1972–1980)[1] FSM (Polski Fiat 126p, 1973–1992) Fiat Auto Poland (1992–2000) |
| Also called | Zastava 126 (Yugoslavia) Steyr Puch Fiat 126 (Austria) Fiat 126 Maluch (Poland) FSM Niki (Australia) |
| Production | 1972–2000 4,673,655 units |
| Assembly | Cassino, Italy Termini Imerese, Italy Tychy, Poland (Polski Fiat) Kragujevac, Yugoslavia (Zastava) Graz, Austria (Steyr Puch) |
| Designer | Sergio Sartorelli |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car (A) |
| Body style | 2-door saloon 3-door hatchback (PF 126 BIS) |
| Layout | RR layout |
| Related | SEAT/Fiat 133 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 594 cc R2 652 cc R2 704 cc R2 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,840 mm (72.4 in)[2] |
| Length | 3,054 mm (120.2 in)[2] |
| Width | 1,378 mm (54.3 in)[2] |
| Height | 1,302 mm (51.3 in)[2] |
| Curb weight | 580–619 kg (1,279–1,365 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat 500 |
| Successor | Fiat Panda, Fiat Cinquecento |
The Fiat 126 (Type 126) is a four-passenger, rear-engine, city car manufactured and marketed by Fiat over a twenty-eight year production run from 1972 until 2000, over a single generation. Introduced by Fiat in October 1972 at the Turin Auto Show,[1] the 126 replaced the Fiat 500, using major elements from its design. A subsequent iteration, marketed as the 126 Bis, used a horizontally oriented, water-cooled engine, and featured a rear hatchback with additional cargo space.
The majority of 126s (some 3.3 million) were manufactured in Tychy and Bielsko-Biała plants, Poland and were marketed as the Polski Fiat 126p in many markets. Fiat stopped marketing the 126 in 1993 in favor of its new front-engined Cinquecento. Total production reached approximately 4.7 million units.
In Poland, the car became a people's car,[3] and a cultural icon, earning the nickname Maluch, meaning "The Little One" or "Toddler",[4][5] a name that eventually became official in 1997, when 'Maluch' started appearing, badged on the rear of the car.
In early 2020, the 28-year production run of the Fiat 126 was counted as the twenty-sixth most long-lived single-generation car in history by Autocar magazine.[3]
- ^ a b "Fiat 126 Key Dates Time Line - illustrating the life of the original Fiat 126 from 72', the Fiat 126 de ville and the Fiat 126 BIS". fiat126.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d "1973 Fiat 126 Technical specifications". carfolio.com. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Survivors: The world's longest-living cars (slide 10 of 35 - Fiat 126 (1972-2000) – 28 Years". AutoCar. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Lawrence, Hannah (18 February 2017). "Residents in Polish city save up and buy Tom Hanks a vintage car". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "Polish fans buy Tom Hanks iconic 'toddler' car". Reuters. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2022.