Fiat 132
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The Fiat 132 was a mid-range vehicle from the Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat . It was presented in May 1972 as the successor to the Fiat 125 , in Spain as the Seat 132 .
At the beginning there were three model variants: 132 1600 N, 132 1600 S and 132 1800 S. Car magazines were disappointed with Marcello Gandini's design: The "Japanese lines" were criticized, which was more of the Mazda 1500 built from 1966 to 1972 than of one Fiat remember. The steering is too "doughy" and the chassis too spongy, according to the car testers.
Sales also fell short of Fiat's expectations. Therefore the vehicle was revised and from 1974 there were the models 132 1600 GL / GLS and 132 1800 GLS. Although the lines with the enlarged windows were now a little better and the chassis was improved, among other things by a front axle stabilizer, the sales success was still modest.
When Fiat ceased production of the Fiat 130 at the end of 1977, the 132 became Fiat's top model. In addition, as the 132 2000, it was given a larger engine, numerous modified details and extensive equipment with an optional automatic transmission and air conditioning . Although not a bad car, it was by no means completely convincing in view of the 130's much higher technical class. The gap to both the 130 and the competition was too big, especially in terms of engine power.
At the beginning of 1978 two diesel versions followed with a displacement of 2000 or 2500 cc.
In mid-1979 Fiat presented the 132 2000 i. e. with electronic petrol injection and 90 kW (122 PS) as the new most powerful model. In April 1981 the Fiat 132 was renamed Fiat Argenta after a facelift .
Since the Seat 132 was not very successful in Spain, there was no successor for it. The Fiat 132 was built under license in Korea by Kia from 1979. It was also assembled in Zambia by Livingstone Motor Assemblers .
