Fiat 126

Fiat 126
Polski Fiat 126p
Overview
ManufacturerFiat (1972–1980)[1]
FSM (Polski Fiat 126p, 1973–1992)
Fiat Auto Poland (1992–2000)
Also calledZastava 126 (Yugoslavia)
Steyr Puch Fiat 126 (Austria)
Fiat 126 Maluch (Poland)
FSM Niki (Australia)
Production1972–2000
4,673,655 units
AssemblyCassino, Italy
Termini Imerese, Italy
Tychy, Poland (Polski Fiat)
Kragujevac, Yugoslavia (Zastava)
Graz, Austria (Steyr Puch)
DesignerSergio Sartorelli
Body and chassis
ClassCity car (A)
Body style2-door saloon
3-door hatchback (PF 126 BIS)
LayoutRR layout
RelatedSEAT/Fiat 133
Powertrain
Engine594 cc R2
652 cc R2
704 cc R2
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,840 mm (72.4 in)[2]
Length3,054 mm (120.2 in)[2]
Width1,378 mm (54.3 in)[2]
Height1,302 mm (51.3 in)[2]
Curb weight580–619 kg (1,279–1,365 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFiat 500
SuccessorFiat 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]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b c d "1973 Fiat 126 Technical specifications". carfolio.com. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Polish fans buy Tom Hanks iconic 'toddler' car". Reuters. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2022.