| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1996 |
| Production Years: | 1996 - 2002 discontinued in 2002 |
The Tofas Marea, produced from 1996 to 2002, is a sedan that embodies mid-1990s automotive design tailored for practical and comfortable urban mobility. While exact measurements for this specific model are not broadly documented, the Marea is based on the Fiat Marea platform, known for its balanced dimensions and roomy interior. Typically, sedans in this class measure around 4.4 to 4.5 meters (approximately 173 to 177 inches) in length, with a width close to 1.7 meters (67 inches), offering a compact yet spacious body ideal for city and suburban use. The Tofas Marea sedan combines the utility expected from a four-door family car with efficient use of space. Its body style ensures sufficient headroom and legroom, aligning with the midsize segment norms of the late 1990s and early 2000s. With a production period spanning six years, the Tofas Marea carved a niche in markets appreciating affordable yet reliable sedans. Its size makes it easy to maneuver in urban settings while maintaining cabin comfort. Overall, the Tofas Marea from 1996 represents a practical choice among sedans of its era, balancing economy, comfort, and typical midsize sedan dimensions in both metric and imperial terms.
Discover the standout features that make the 1996 Tofas Marea a leader in its class
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The Tofas Marea sedan, produced between 1996 and 2002, features dimensions typical of a mid-sized sedan of its era. While exact manufacturer data for the Tofas-specific Marea is scarce, the closely related Fiat Marea on which it was based measured approximately 4,386 mm (172.7 inches) in length, 1,690 mm (66.5 inches) in width, and 1,400 mm (55.1 inches) in height. These dimensions provide a comfortable cabin space for passengers while maintaining a manageable footprint suitable for urban and suburban driving. Given the shared platform, it's reasonable to assume the Tofas Marea's dimensions are very close to these figures.
The curb weight of the Tofas Marea sedan typically ranges between 1,200 kg to 1,300 kg (approximately 2,645 lbs to 2,866 lbs), depending on the trim level and equipment. This weight is typical for compact sedans of the late 1990s, balancing structural sturdiness and fuel efficiency. The weight impacts handling, fuel consumption, and performance, and the Marea’s configuration aimed to provide a solid yet manageable driving experience.
The wheelbase of the Tofas Marea is approximately 2,530 mm (99.6 inches), matching the Fiat Marea's platform specifications. A wheelbase of this length typically contributes positively to passenger comfort, offering ample legroom for both front and rear occupants. This improved space distribution helps reduce fatigue on longer journeys by allowing more room in the cabin. The Tofas Marea uses this wheelbase to balance dynamic handling with passenger comfort effectively.
The Tofas Marea sedan offers a trunk capacity in the range of approximately 440 liters (around 15.5 cubic feet), which is standard for a small-to-mid size sedan from that period. This capacity allows adequate storage space for luggage, groceries, or other cargo, making it practical for daily use and moderate travel needs. The rear seat folding capabilities (if available) further enhance versatility by expanding cargo space when required.
The width of the Tofas Marea is about 1,690 mm (66.5 inches). This moderate width makes it relatively easy to maneuver and park in urban settings where tight spots are common. The sedan strikes a good balance between interior spaciousness and external compactness, which aids drivers in reducing stress during city driving without sacrificing passenger comfort.
The height of the Tofas Marea is approximately 1,400 mm (55.1 inches), typical for compact sedans of the era. This height provides sufficient headroom for average adult passengers in both front and rear seats, contributing to passenger comfort. From a vehicle dynamics perspective, the moderate height also helps maintain a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability and handling characteristics, particularly during cornering.
Yes, the Tofas Marea fits comfortably inside a standard residential garage. Given its approximate length of 4,386 mm (172.7 inches or about 14.2 feet), width of 1,690 mm (66.5 inches or about 5.5 feet), and height of 1,400 mm (55.1 inches or roughly 4.5 feet), it falls well within typical garage dimensions. Standard garages usually measure at least 2,400 mm (8 feet) wide and 4,800 mm (16 feet) deep, providing sufficient clearance for easy parking and door opening without risk of damage or inconvenience.
The 1996-2002 Tofas Marea was effectively the first-generation model introduced by Tofas, based on the Fiat Marea platform, meaning it doesn’t have a direct predecessor under the Tofas name. Compared to older compact sedans sold by Tofas or related brands, the Marea offered a more modern design and slightly larger dimensions, especially in wheelbase and overall length, contributing to an improved interior volume and comfort that aligned with late 1990s automotive trends.
When compared to similar compact sedans of the late 1990s—such as the Opel Vectra B, Ford Mondeo Mk1, or Volkswagen Passat B5—the Tofas Marea's dimensions are fairly typical. With its length around 4.39 meters and width of about 1.69 meters, it fits squarely in the compact to small midsize sedan category. In terms of features, it offered practical interior space and competitive trunk capacity, along with the reliability and parts availability linked to its Fiat base. The Marea may have been considered more budget-conscious relative to some Western European competitors, making it appealing in markets seeking value without compromising size.
The Tofas Marea was primarily available as a sedan with various trim levels optimized for different markets. Engine options commonly included four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines sourced from Fiat, typically ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 liters in displacement. These engines aimed to balance performance with fuel efficiency, catering to daily commuting and family use. The car included standard features such as power steering, manual or automatic transmission options, and basic safety equipment which evolved during its production run. Interior appointments were practical, focusing on comfort and usability rather than luxury.
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