Fiat Marea HLX 2.4 20v 2002

[Brunol]

Specs:

0-100Km/h: 8.0s
Top Speed: 220+km/h

Powertrain: Petrol, 2,446cc (2.45L) DOHC inline-5, 20 valves; Bore: 83.0mm, Stroke: 90.4mm, Compression ratio: 9.75:1 / Max. power: 160bhp @ 6000rpm / Max torque: 210Nm @ 3500rpm / 5-speed manual, FWD.

Dimensions: Length: 4,391mm / Wheelbase: 2,540mm / Width: 1,740mm / Height: 1,420mm / Weight: 1,300Kg / Fuel tank capacity: 63L / Boot capacity: 430L.

Suspension: Front: Independent, McPherson / Rear: Semi-independent; Trailing arms

Wheels/Tires: 195/60 R15 Pirelli P6000

Comments: Although this is not the first model, the 2002 year-model launched in Brazil had redesigned back lights and the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine on sale on that time. Strong arguments for the enthusiast that didn't want the sheer violence - or price - of the Turbo (2.0L, 20v, detuned Coupe's engine, good for 180 bhp) version. The typical sedan veloce: wolf on a sheep's clothing.
Beautiful italian-designed interior, beautiful italian-built engine and the most lovely exhaust music - that's the word for it - I've ever heard in a non-sportscar. With a lot of torque available from idle, you really didn't have to rev the nuts out of it to break the speed limits, although it was always ready to sweep the rev-counter to the 6,800 rpm redline. The manual gearbox, combined with a quite heavy clutch-pedal, gave a very manly feel to it.
Handling-wise, it wasn't brilliant. The iron-cast engine hanging at the front meant a very front-heavy car, slightly uncomfortable through tight corners, and with a quite soft rear suspension setting, reinforcing a not-that-aggressive drive. Even still, it had neutral to mild-understeer bias once it could find it's balance, and had enough grip not to shred the front tires when launching. It's true habitat was long range cruising, with lots of comfort, safety and guts available at unreasonable speeds.

 

[StarLight]

I voted because I use also Pirelli 6000 on my own car.
No not kidding. P6000 tire are pretty good and you can for sure drive 10.000 km more than the regular Pirelli of other tire.

 

[CaravanSS76]

Agree but caution is required to not let the engine blow up. He he

 

[Brunol]

Agree but caution is required to not let the engine blow up. He he

It's not that hard... Just basic maintenance (oil change every 8k km and belts after 60k) will make it live longer than the owner. I had two Mareas and with both I went beyond 140k km (before having to sell), and they were both pushing hard as new at the time.

If any complaints, it should be from the front suspension. It didn't quite handle the brazilian tarmac (tarmac, where?) and started making ugly noises after a couple thousand kilometers.