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Fiat Stilo Schumacher | Spotted

A forgotten five-cylinder Fiat - for five-ish grand... 

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Never let it be said that Fiat hasn’t given the hot hatch a damn good go over the years. From twin-carb’d Stradas to battery-powered 600s via the Panda 100HP and a glut of turbocharged 500s, there’s always been something fast and feisty available from Fiat. Maybe not the class of the field, sure, but memorable in (mostly) all the right ways - and sometimes that’s more important… 

They even did a few five-cylinder hot hatches, way before Audi or Ford thought it was a good idea. The Bravo HGT of the mid-'90s featured the same 2.0-litre capacity as many rivals, but added 25 per cent to the cylinder count. Sufficiently enthused by the experience, Fiat returned with another five-pot with the replacement Stilo. This time around capacity was up to 2.4 litres, and power to 170hp. You can always count on Fiat to do things in a slightly bizarre way. 

At a time of Civic Type Rs, Renaultsport Clios and Leon Cupras, the Stilo Abarth wasn’t really good enough to get pulses racing. But that was more than 20 years ago, and times change with attitudes: if a naturally aspirated five-cylinder is still an engine configuration to kick off, why not in a Fiat Stilo? It’s hardly like there’s going to be another one around anytime soon. 

Especially not a Stilo Schumacher. The limited edition launched in 2005 to mark Michael’s fifth consecutive world title in 2004 (and back when Fiat owned Ferrari). There were just 200 sold here, all red, all with new logos and all with an individually numbered plaque: this is number 62 of the 200, with two previous owners and 130k from new.

There’s additional intrigue with this one, too, as it appears to be a GP pack car. Back in 2005, a £1,000 premium over the £15,995 standard Schumacher bought ‘something even more special.’ There was some substance to the claim, too, with 18-inch OZ Superturismo wheels, a twin-exit stainless steel silencer to ‘amplify the sound characteristics of the five cylinder engine’, plus a Prodrive handling kit. Yes, really: Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, a lower ride height and a setup signed off by the Banbury wizards ‘to enhance the sporty potential of the standard car.’ While it’s not confirmed that this car is a GP, it does have the wheel and the exhaust, so it seems very likely. 

And while even a refresh of the special suspension won’t make the Stilo into a hot hatch hero - or even a Fiat one - it’s not without its charm 20 years on. Even with the running costs of more cylinders and cubic capacity than was really necessary. It’s rare, it’ll sound cool, and it actually looks in reasonable nick given the age, mileage and colour. What’s the worst that could happen? You might even like it a little bit…

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SPECIFICATION | FIAT STILO SCHUMACHER GP

Engine: 2,446cc, five-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 170@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 163@3,500rpm
MPG: 29.1
CO2: 231g/km
Recorded mileage: 130,118
First registered: 2006
Price new: £15,995 (standard Schumacher)
Yours for: £5,995

See the original advert

[Portofino]

Quite like that. Seems good condition & obvious curio out of all the hatches of the time.

Treat it like a mini exotic GT car rather than a Type R rival & I recckon it fits the brief.

Price wise given the scarcity of these is about correct for the right enthusiast. Should get some money off as well I would argue.

[Dan Gerous]

Dealer has some interesting cars, a Calibra too!

[Dombilano]

Loved my 2002 Stilo Abarth, my first 'warm' hatch. Selespeed was mostly awful, but it made a great noise, and was fast enough. In a world of mark IV Golfs and Civics, this was the one i wanted. Bet its even better with the manual

[Bluehorseshoe]

My mum had a big standard still after a typo and 2x Brava's they were interesting cars a bit left field but interesting. This looks about the right price for that sort of vibe and a nice colour

[Taz73]

Always thought the three door was quite a handsome car, the five was much less so, the five pot should make this sound great and 170bhp is surely still enough for a load of fun?
I’d actually quite like this, I like something different.

[LotusOmega375D]

Bluehorseshoe said:

My mum had a big standard still after a typo

Oh the irony!

[Robertb]

Dan Gerous said:

Dealer has some interesting cars, a Calibra too!

Now you’re talking! Love a Calibra, I remember sitting in a new SE at a dealer as a 18 y/o getting a part for my Astra.

Looks a nice one too.

[el romeral]

That’s quite a fruity engine in such a car.

[georgeyboy12345]

Too expensive

[ST3.14159265358979323846]

It looks in fairly good shape from the photos provided, it's a novelty with the five cylinder motor.

FIAT didn't see the need to do anything with a standard Bravo interior. No extra dials they put on their fast cars and WBAC will relieve you of the car for £500.

Find another you say. £6,000 says you've really, really got to want one.

[Trevor555]

Interesting wording on their advert.

"The MOT is valid until 04/01/2027, ensuring its roadworthiness for years to come."

Is this Ai blurb?

[smilo996]

That is rather nice and with Prodrive handling kit. hopefully is not much like Schumaker in his prime.