The combination of a supermini body with a medium-displacement engine resulted in the 1982 SEAT Fura Crono. With an excellent power-to-weight ratio, it was a small hot hatch whose attractive sports car look unleashed passions…(read more)
Launch: November 1981 (Fura Crono: August 1982)
End of production: 1985
Price: 686.032 Ptas. (Fura Crono)
Number built: around 180,000 (total Fura and Fura Dos)
Petrol, 4 cylinders in-line
Position: At front, transversal
Bore x stroke: 80 mm x 71,5 mm
Capacity: 1.438 cc
Valve gear: Overhead valves, push-rods and rocker arms
Carburettor: 1 double-choke Bressel
Max. power: 75 HP at 5.600 rpm
Max. torque: 113 Nm at 3.000 rpm
Top speed: 160 km/h
Drive: Front-wheel drive
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, plus reverse
Clutch: Dry single-plate
Front suspension:
Independent, McPherson-type, coil springs and hydraulic dampers
Rear suspension:
Independent, transverse leaf spring and hydraulic dampers
Steering: Rack and pinion
Front/rear: Discs/drums
155/70 R13
Body: 3-door hatchback, 5 seats
Length/width/height: 3.718/1.552/1.383 mm
Wheelbase: 2.230 mm
Weight: 760 kg
The combination of a supermini body with a medium-displacement engine resulted in the 1982 SEAT Fura Crono. With an excellent power-to-weight ratio, it was a small hot hatch whose attractive sports car look unleashed passions.
The SEAT Fura had been launched in late 1981 and involved the transformation of the 127 to the brand's new style. With three- and five-door bodywork, the Fura was a car for all purposes, and was fitted with an optional five-speed gearbox for the first time in a model with an engine under 1000cc. In late 1983 the Fura 2 was unveiled, with a restyled front end and changes to the interior.
In August 1982 the 3-door sports version Fura Crono was launched. The new model inherited the Crono name already used in the Ritmo and Ronda powered by twin-cam engines.
The Fura Crono was powered by the veteran 1438cc engine, which had been used for the first time in the 1969 SEAT 1430 saloon, and which kept its performance and reliability intact. It was the first time this power train had been fitted in a mass-produced small car, so the Fura Crono was the first hot supermini SEAT.
Its power of 75 HP for a weight of just 760 kg translated in an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, in which each horsepower only had to move about 10 kg of weight. Its performance were even better than those of the exclusive "Bocanegra", since the Fura Crono was lighter and had a five-speed gearbox. The model was very successful and served as the basis for a one-make racing championship: the Fura Cup, of which three editions were held between 1983 and 1985.
To live up to its sporting allure, the Fura Crono was offered only in three striking colours: metallic black, silver and rally red. In addition, the sporting look was enhanced by three aerodynamic winglets: a spoiler in the front bumper, a wing at the end of the roof and another one under the rear window. It was also fitted with additional fog headlights, specific alloy wheels and a moulding on the bonnet air intake.
The last units of the Fura Crono were sold in early 1985, so this was the last of the eight SEAT models marketed with the venerable 1430 engine.
SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps this magnificent silver-coloured Fura Crono. It is a unit kept in full shape that SEAT uses regularly in regularity rallies for classic cars and other historical events. For example, in 2014 this Fura Crono won a heat in the Classic Series by Rallyclassics at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, proving its superb sports skills and the excellent maintenance that SEAT HISTÓRICOS dispenses to the classic models of the Collection.