Autobianchi Y10

Wednesday 22 June 2011
The Autobianchi Y10 is a city car manufactured by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1985 to 1996 and marketed under the Autobianchi brand in Italy and under the Lancia brand in most export markets (as Lancia Y10). The car was manufactured at the Autobianchi plant in Desio, Milan until 1992 and after that in Arese, near Alfa Romeo plants. It was designed on the first-generation Fiat Panda floorpan, shortened by about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) and with softer suspension settings. It offered a very high level of trim for its market segment. The Y10 featured a rear beam suspension design (called Omega) that was subsequently fitted to the facelifted Fiat Panda. Despite its short length, the Y10 boasted a drag coefficient of just 0.31.
Initially introduced in 1985 under the Autobianchi brand, the Y10 used the FIRE engine in 1.0 litre engine and Fiat's Brazilian built SOHC 1049 cc engine once used in the Autobianchi A112 Abarth and the Fiat 127's hottest version. The latter engine used an IHI turbocharger to produce 85 PS (62.5 kW) in the Y10 Turbo. As well as the Turbo, the Y10 was available as Y10 Fire, Y10 Fire LX, Y10 Touring and Y10 4WD. The Touring and 4WD models used the older 1049cc engine. Eventually, the Autobianchi badge was dropped in favour of Lancia's except in Italy; a textbook case of badge engineering. Following a minor facelift in 1990 which saw cosmetic changes to the exterior, revised interior trim and increased luggage capacity, the turbocharged engine was dropped in favour of a more refined, if slower, 1301cc unit as fitted to what was the range topping GTie model, with 76 PS (56 kW). A larger 1108cc variant of the FIRE engine was introduced and sold as the Y10 LXie. This engine was also used in the Y10 Selectronic, offered from 1990-93, with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) developed by Fuji. In Europe, the Y10 received one more facelift, with more significant changes being made to the front and rear and the interior. Throughout the life of the Y10, Lancia/Autobianchi offered a number of special edition models, often with unique interior trim and external badging. These included editions such as: Fila (in black or white with either blue or red Fila themed interiors); Missoni; Appia; Trussardi; Mia; Avenue; Igloo; and Martini (based on the Y10 Turbo).
It was pipped to the European Car of the Year for 1986 by the Ford Scorpio.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1049 cc
- horsepower: 82 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 165 km/h

Autobianchi A112

Wednesday 22 June 2011
The Autobianchi A112 is a supermini produced by the Italian automaker Autobianchi. It was developed using the mechanicals which subsequently underpinned the Fiat 127. It was introduced in 1969, as a replacement for the Bianchina and Primula, and was built until 1986, when it made way for the more modern Autobianchi Y10 (branded in most export markets as the Lancia Y10). Over 1.2 million A112s were produced in Autobianchi's Milan factory.
The A112 was available only with a 3-door body. It was offered with the OHV engine of 903 cc from the Fiat 850 capable of attaining 42 PS (31 kW). The Autobianchi represented the first appearance of this engine in a front-engine, front-wheel drive configuration which would later become familiar to a wider range of drivers in the top selling Fiat 127 and its derivatives.
The most interesting version was the A112 Abarth, introduced in 1971. It was prepared by the motorsports division of the Fiat Group, at first with a 982 cc engine, obtained increasing the stroke, coupled to a sportive exhaust, a twin carburetor, a different camshaft. In 1975, displacement was increased to 1049 cc, while power climbed from 58 PS (43 kW; 57 bhp) to 70 PS (51 kW; 69 bhp) at 6600 rpm, for a weight of only 700 kg (1,543 lb). The 1975 model was also the first A112 to use a 5-speed manual gearbox. These changes turned the A112 into a nervous machine, much admired by young performance enthusiasts. The car was entered in various rallying events throughout Europe and even spawned a one-make trophy.
Starting from 1982 this car was also badged as Lancia A112.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 903 cc
- horsepower: 42 HP
- gearbox: 4+1
- top speed: 135 km/h