MOD 1975 FIAT X1 / 9 FOR CAR MECHANIC SIMULATOR 2018 Italian sports cars are known all over the world as luxurious, fast, but expensive cars. And so it would have remained if Fiat's CEO, the great Gianni Agnelli, had not personally set in motion an ambitious project to create an affordable sports car - the Fiat X1 / 9. The history of the X1 / 9 began back in 1969, when Autobianchi presented the Runabout A112 prototype. He had a very unusual appearance, reminiscent of a hybrid of a speedboat and a buggy. The design was made by the legendary Marcello Gandini (Lancia Stratos, Lamborghini Countach), so it's not surprising that the Runabout received a characteristic futuristic, wedge-shaped design. Meanwhile, in the same year, Fiat completed the takeover of Autobianchi and the A112 project was closed, considering it unpromising. But in 1971, the prototype, which miraculously survived by that time, was seen by Gianni Agnelli. He really liked the car and ordered to resume work on the project. At Fiat, the project was significantly redesigned, and the cars received their own code designation X1 / 9. In many ways, they retained the design solutions that Gandini applied. Long wedge-shaped bonnet, short backward sloping rear overhang and pointed C-pillar. However, the Fiat X1 / 9 surprised not only with its appearance. Unlike Runabout, he got a mid-engine layout. Prior to that, such an arrangement could only be found on the very expensive Lamborghini Miura or Ferrari Dino. This decision had a positive effect on handling, but there were also problems. Fitting an engine in a Fiat X1 / 9, for example, was not easy given its small size. Therefore, the engineers used a compact four-cylinder Fiat 128 engine. It was developed by Aurelio Lampredi, an outstanding Italian engineer, developer of aircraft and automobile engines. Despite the modest volume of 1.3, the engine produced an impressive 75 hp, which, coupled with a mass of only 880 kg, gave the Fiat X1 / 9 excellent dynamics. The chassis did not disappoint either. The independent MacPherson strut front and rear, disc brakes on all wheels, combined with the rear-wheel drive and mid-engined configuration, provided the Fiat with excellent handling. And given the very low price, equivalent to $ 5,000 (for example, the Ferrari Dino cost 4 times more), the Fiat X1 / 9 was doomed to success. In total, the X1 / 9 was produced for 17 years, from 1972 to 1989. First under the Fiat trademark, and after 1982 - Bertone. A very long time for a sports car! The recipe for success is pretty simple - low cost, good engine and great chassis. Later, the Japanese did not fail to use it with their Toyota MR2. A total of 140,500 Fiat X1 / 9s were produced. MAIN TECHNICAL DATA FIAT X1 / 9 Mid-engine layout Chassis: Main dimensions, mm: options: Stock Credits: LIT |