HISTORY OF 131 ABARTH VOLUMETRICO
Here is a brief description of this car from
Sporting Fiats Club site:
"During the Summer of 1980 FIAT presented two
131 prototypes to the European motoring press. These were based around 'blown'
versions of the earlier 131 Racing/ Sport having supercharged 1300cc and 2000cc
engines producing 115 and 142 bhp DIN respectively.
The Abarth designed, positive displacement blower was belt driven and operated
via a special Weber carburetor. This is a similar design to the supercharged
versions of the 124 Spidereuropa and Lancia Beta Volumex but with a larger
volume blower.
In August 1981 these “Volumetrico’ 131’s were launched with 7.6:1 compression
engines, oil cooler, electric fuel pump, special exhaust and a completely
upgraded suspension and brake package. Their Pirelli ‘Plus One’ wheels and oval
exhaust tail pipe were similar to the early 130tc Strada Abarth. All cars were
assembled and prepared at Abarth.
Other than the slightly lower ride height and rear ‘Volumetrico’ badges, there
was little external difference to the standard SuperMirafiori series three.
Except this one would take a lot more catching! Top speed was quoted at 101mph
because of the 10/39 diff. ratio but, as with all the supercharged twin cams,
the torque output was fantastic (21.8 mkg DIN at 3600rpm in comparison to the
Rally 131 Abarth’s 18 mkg DIN!). 0 to 60 time is under 7 seconds.
Fuel efficiency of the 2 litre was 24 to 27 miles per gallon. This bares
comparison to any tuned twin cam prior to the modern Weber/ Marelli engine
management systems. Impressive!"
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