| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1987 |
| Production Years: | 1987 - 1991 discontinued in 1991 |
The Fiat Duna Weekend (146 B), produced from 1987 to 1991, is a notable station wagon variant of the Fiat Duna series, designed to offer practicality and versatility in a compact package. Built primarily for markets in South America, this model reflects Fiat's approach to creating accessible and utilitarian vehicles with flexible cargo space. Although exact dimensional data like length, width, and height are less commonly documented for this era’s Duna Weekend specifically, the car generally showcased compact station wagon proportions ideal for urban use and family needs. Typically, models in this category measure approximately between 4.0 to 4.2 meters long (approximately 157 to 165 inches), with a width around 1.6 to 1.7 meters (63 to 67 inches), providing ample room for passengers and luggage while maintaining maneuverability. Its body style as a station wagon emphasized cargo capacity through an extended rear hatch and foldable rear seats, making it suitable for both daily commuting and light goods transport. The Fiat Duna Weekend combined simple engineering and an efficient layout, appealing to customers looking for practicality over luxury, especially during the late 1980s and early 1990s. As a generation, it maintained the characteristic front-wheel-drive configuration common in Fiat small family cars of the period, balancing fuel economy and ease of maintenance. Compact yet roomy enough, the Duna Weekend positioned itself as a relevant option within the compact station wagon segment, competing effectively with similar vehicles by offering reliable utility, straightforward styling, and reasonable dimensions for urban and semi-rural driving needs.
Discover the standout features that make the 1987 Fiat Duna Weekend a leader in its class
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The Fiat Duna Weekend (146 B), produced between 1987 and 1991, features a compact yet practical design typical for station wagons of its era. The car measures approximately 4,020 millimeters (158.3 inches) in length, 1,620 millimeters (63.8 inches) in width, and 1,380 millimeters (54.3 inches) in height. These dimensions reflect a vehicle built to provide ample cargo space while still being agile enough for urban driving. The relatively moderate width and height make it convenient for navigating narrow streets and parking in tight spots, while the length suits those needing extra storage capacity without the bulk of larger wagons.
The Fiat Duna Weekend offers a reasonably spacious cargo area for its size, making it a practical choice among subcompact station wagons of the late 1980s. Its rear seats can be folded down to significantly increase cargo volume, enhancing its utility for carrying bulky loads or luggage. Compared to similar models like the Volkswagen Parati or Ford Escort Wagon of the same period, the Duna Weekend generally provides slightly less cargo volume but compensates with a lower curb weight and nimble handling. Its compact footprint is beneficial for city use, while still providing sufficient space for small families or daily utility.
Yes, the Fiat Duna Weekend fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Typical home garages are around 2,400 millimeters to 2,700 millimeters (94.5 inches to 106.3 inches) wide and 4,800 millimeters to 6,000 millimeters (189 inches to 236 inches) long, which accommodates the Duna Weekend's dimensions of approximately 4,020 millimeters (158.3 inches) length and 1,620 millimeters (63.8 inches) width. Its height at about 1,380 millimeters (54.3 inches) ensures good vertical clearance, so drivers should have no trouble parking this station wagon indoors with space to spare for opening doors and moving around.
The Fiat Duna Weekend typically weighs around 1,000 to 1,100 kilograms (2,205 to 2,425 pounds), depending on the trim and equipment level. This relatively light mass contributes positively to the vehicle's performance and fuel economy. The lower weight enhances acceleration modestly and improves handling responsiveness, making the car more fun to drive compared to heavier station wagons. Economically, the lighter weight means less energy is required to move the vehicle, resulting in better fuel efficiency which was an important feature for many buyers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, especially in markets where fuel costs were a significant consideration.
With a width of approximately 1,620 millimeters (63.8 inches), the Fiat Duna Weekend sits comfortably within the subcompact station wagon segment. This width is slightly narrower than some competitors such as the Volkswagen Parati, which measures around 1,652 millimeters (65 inches), making the Duna easier to maneuver and park in tight spaces. Its narrower body also contributes to better aerodynamics in urban driving conditions. However, the tradeoff is slightly less shoulder room for passengers inside, but for a subcompact wagon, the balance between usability and maneuverability was well achieved with these dimensions.
The Fiat Duna Weekend has a height of about 1,380 millimeters (54.3 inches). While it is on the lower side compared to larger station wagons, this height is typical for subcompact models from the late 1980s. Inside, the car offers adequate headroom for average-height adults, and the station wagon design ensures that rear passengers enjoy enough space compared to hatchbacks or sedans of similar size. The relatively low roofline helps keep the vehicle aerodynamically efficient, but taller passengers might find headroom limited in the rear seats compared to larger family wagons.
The Fiat Duna Weekend (146 B) introduced in 1987 was essentially a station wagon variant of the Fiat Duna sedan. Compared to its predecessor, the Duna sedan, the Weekend version added significantly more cargo space and practicality by extending the rear, increasing overall length and rear interior space. While the Duna sedan emphasized compactness with a length around 3,990 millimeters (157.1 inches), the Weekend stretched this to about 4,020 millimeters (158.3 inches), offering enhanced storage capacity without drastically altering the vehicle's footprint. The additional height and boxy rear design improve usability, making the Weekend a more family and utility-friendly option compared to the sedan.
During its production from 1987 to 1991, the Fiat Duna Weekend typically came with a range of small-displacement petrol engines characteristic of Fiat's offerings at the time. Most variants featured naturally aspirated inline-four engines around 1.3 to 1.5 liters, balancing moderate power output with fuel efficiency ideal for daily driving and light cargo duties. These engines were paired with manual transmissions primarily, although some markets offered automatic options. The car's mechanical design focused on reliability and ease of maintenance rather than high performance, making it an economical and practical choice for families and fleet usage.
The Fiat Duna Weekend holds its own within the subcompact station wagon segment when compared to contemporaries like the Volkswagen Parati and Ford Escort Wagon. Dimensionally, it is often marginally smaller in width and similar or slightly shorter in length, which aids city maneuverability but slightly reduces interior spaciousness. The Parati and Escort wagons tend to have more powerful engine options and possibly more refined suspensions, but the Duna Weekend is praised for its simplicity, affordability, and maintenance ease. In overall terms, the Duna Weekend is a practical, budget-friendly alternative for buyers prioritizing compactness and utility over outright power or luxury.
The Fiat Duna Weekend's fuel economy was considered efficient for its time, with average consumption figures ranging from approximately 6 to 8 liters per 100 kilometers (39 to 29 miles per gallon US), depending on driving conditions and engine variant. Powered by modestly sized gasoline engines, the car prioritized economy and ease of use over sporty performance. Acceleration was adequate for city and suburban driving, but not brisk when fully loaded. Its lightweight construction contributed to sensible handling and braking characteristics, making it a dependable and practical family vehicle focused more on functionality and cost-effectiveness than outright speed or driving thrill.
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