They were designed (I think, quoting some random guy I met at a fiat meet) for the 16v 4 pot turbo engine + 5 speed gearbox and approx 205 16" tyres. But almost immediately after launch came with the 5 pot 20v turbo lump and later a 6 speed gearbox (and turbo plus, which just limited boost in 1st gear I think, not that it was ever an issue on a stock motor) and 215/17" wheels which meant turning circle was literally the worst I've ever experienced in any road car.
Had a 1998.5 car (was an LE turbo plus in green, should have kept it as now a very rare thing indeed, at the time it was worthless, think I paid £1800 for it!) with 17" wheels and factory 6 speed box, there would be car parks that you begin to enter, quickly realize your going to need a crane to get back out and then cause total chaos as you try to communicate to the traffic behind you that they are going to have to reverse as it is impossible for you to go any further forward. Think older megane sport (220?) used to also have a diabolically bad turning circle.
Worth noting I loved that car and would buy it back in an instant regardless of its current state, gov mot check says it hasn't been on the road since 2009 so guess its long gone though.
They were designed (I think, quoting some random guy I met at a fiat meet) for the 16v 4 pot turbo engine + 5 speed gearbox and approx 205 16" tyres. But almost immediately after launch came with the 5 pot 20v turbo lump and later a 6 speed gearbox (and turbo plus, which just limited boost in 1st gear I think, not that it was ever an issue on a stock motor) and 215/17" wheels which meant turning circle was literally the worst I've ever experienced in any road car.
Had a 1998.5 car (was an LE turbo plus in green, should have kept it as now a very rare thing indeed, at the time it was worthless, think I paid £1800 for it!) with 17" wheels and factory 6 speed box, there would be car parks that you begin to enter, quickly realize your going to need a crane to get back out and then cause total chaos as you try to communicate to the traffic behind you that they are going to have to reverse as it is impossible for you to go any further forward. Think older megane sport (220?) used to also have a diabolically bad turning circle.
Worth noting I loved that car and would buy it back in an instant regardless of its current state, gov mot check says it hasn't been on the road since 2009 so guess its long gone though.