Fiat Duna

The Fiat Duna (Fiat Prêmio in Brazil) was a small car produced by Fiat in Brazil, where it was sold as Fiat Prêmio. The Duna was based on the Fiat Uno, but unlike the Uno, it was a sedan, as such models are more popular in South America.

In Brazil, the "Prêmio" was presented in late 1985: with its only two doors, it never became the big hit the Brazilians expected. In 1987, the Elba model was born: With a 1.5 l engine, the new station wagon with only three doors was supposed to replace the old Fiat Panorama, based in the Fiat 147. Only in 1988 the Brazilians could get the four-door Premio and in 1989, the Elba with five doors.

In Argentina the four door Duna was released in 1987, and from 1990 was the best selling car in the market for almost six years. It was largely used as a taxi, with gas engines (GNC).

The Duna was exported to Italy and other countries in Europe from 1987, but by 1991, the only existing version was the station wagon, this time called as Innocenti Elba. The Duna did not arrive in the United Kingdom, as Fiat Brasil did not produce cars in right hand drive.

Fiat Brazil produced the Duna, Premio in the factory of Betim. It was produced in Brazil until 1995.

Fiat Argentina produced the Fiat Duna and Elba in the Sevel factory in Córdoba until 2002. 257.559 units were built there.

The Duna and Duna Weekend were replaced by the Fiat Siena and the Fiat Palio Weekend.

The Fiat Duna acquired in Italy the reputation of the most unreliable car Fiat had ever produced, especially in regard to engine starting problems; but, on the other hand, the car won the FIA realiability record in late 90's. The Duna was tested on 25,000 kilometres (16,000 mi) in the Rafaela's Speedway with a total time of 170 hours, 44 minutes and an average speed of 146 km/h (91 mph). The model chosen for the test was the Duna SCV with a 1.5 liter engine with 82 horsepower (61 kW).

References

External links

• Club Fiat Duna of Argentina
• A satirical Italian Duna website
• ADEFA Yearbooks