SEAT Fura

SEAT Fura
Overview
Manufacturer	SEAT
Production	1981–1986 84,973 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Supermini (B)
Body style	3 and 5-door hatchback
Related	Fiat 127
Powertrain
Engine	903 cc OHV I4 1,438 cc OHV I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Chronology
Predecessor	SEAT 127
Successor	SEAT Ibiza

1985 SEAT Fura L, rear view

SEAT Fura five-door

The SEAT Fura is a supermini car produced by Spanish automaker SEAT, between 1981 and 1986, based on the Fiat 127 which had been built by SEAT since 1972.^[1] Once the license to the 127 expired, SEAT was forced to develop a new version with a new name, which was introduced in late 1981 for the 1982 model year.^[1] It was available in three and five-door hatchback body styles. The two and four-door sedan versions of the Fiat 127 were discontinued.

The Fura was never available with the larger 1,010 cc unit seen in the SEAT 127, but did receive a five-speed manual transmission as standard.^[2]

After a 1983 facelift, the SEAT Fura Dos (two) was introduced: it doesn't differ much from its predecessor, mainly through smaller headlights and turn signals. The launch of the SEAT Ibiza MK1 in 1984 made the car largely redundant. For a little more than a year these two compact hatches competed internally, but the somewhat outmoded Fura was discontinued in 1986.^[3]

A hot hatch called the Fura Crono was introduced early in 1983. Fitted with spoilers front and rear, as well as twin foglights up front and unique 13" alloy wheels, it was powered by a 75 horsepower (56 kW) 1,438 cc four-cylinder.^[4] The twin-carb engine, the same as used in the Fiat/SEAT 124, provided a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and the 100 km/h sprint was managed in 10.8 seconds.^[1]

The car was also assembled by NASCO in Cairo as the El Nasr Super Fura.

Motorsport

The SEAT Fura Crono was used in the 'Copa Fura' one-make rally series launched in 1983^[5][6] and terminated in 1985.^[7] The cars were tuned by Abarth and produced 90 PS (66 kW).^[4]

References

1. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 10, 1983). "Automobil Revue '83" (in German and French). 78. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG: 492–493. ISBN 3-444-06065-3.
2. World Cars 1982. Pelham, NY: L'Editrice dell'Automobile LEA/Herald Books. 1982. p. 215. ISBN 0-910714-14-2.
3. "SEAT 127" (in Spanish). Motor Mania. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
4. Glon, Ronan (2012-01-01). "Sunday classic: SEAT Fura Crono". Ran When Parked. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
5. Seat Fura Crono Gr. B de 1982 http://www.retrospeed.org/competicion/fura/index.htm
6. "1980-1989: SEAT History". SEAT UK. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
7. Historia: SEAT Fura http://www.seatfansclub.com/2011/11/historia-seat-fura.html