Fiat 131/SEAT 131. 1974–85 (prod. 1,513,800). 2- and 4-door saloon, 5-door estate. F/R, 1297, 1301, 1585, 1995 cm³ petrol; 1995, 2445 cm³ diesel (4 cyl. OHC), 1301, 1585, 1995 cm³ (4 cyl. DOHC). Replacement for 124 emphasized performance and to some Europeans, associated with a Jean-Paul Belmondo action film. Abarth model a successful rally car. However, engineering more humble (rear-wheel drive, live rear axle), fairly dull to drive except sport models, and not that well built. Eventually given a name as Fiat shifted from a numerical naming system, dubbed Mirafiori where the cars were built; Supermirafiori for the top model. Brava in some countries such as US and Australia, with top model the SuperBrava. Appeared for a time as SEAT 131 in Spain. Spain also produced the estates, exported with Fiat badges. Twin-cam engines added 1978 as part of revisions across range. Familiare estate renamed Panorama. Original 1297 cm³ engine replaced by 1301 cm³. Two-litre model brisk but 25 mpg only. Volumetrico Abarth two-litre supercharged versions of two- and four-door offered 1980–2. Final revisions for 1982 with no coupé; facelift to incorporate five-bar corporate grille 1983; saloon deleted at end of 1983, estate deleted 1985. Produced by Tofaş of Turkey as Tofaş Murat 131 in early 1980s, then as Tofaş Şahin, Dogan and Kartal in 1986, facelifted in 1996. Şahin produced in Ethiopia from 2006 (launched October 18) as Holland Car DOCC with 1581 cm³ Fiat engine.

Manufacturing locations: Mirafiori, Italy; Martorell, Cataluña, Spain

Marque: Fiat | Predecessor: Fiat 124 | Successor: Fiat Regata

Off-site links

• Holland Car plc