The Fiat 147 was a three-door hatchback subcompact car produced by Fiat in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais from autumn 1976 until 1987, when it was replaced by the Fiat Uno. It was the Brazilian variant of the Fiat 127. Some were also built by Sevel in Argentina (where later models were named Fiat Spazio, Brío and Vivace) until 1996, and assembly also took place in Colombia, Uruguay and Venezuela. It is notable for being the first modern car to use ethanol as fuel instead of petrol. In general, Fiat do Brasil introduced their changes for the coming model year at the time of the Salão do Automóvel, usually held in November. In 1978, the 147 lineup received the addition of the Furgoneta van. The Furgoneta had a solid division between the front seats and the cargo area, while all rear windows (including the one in the hatch) were panelled. Originally only available with the 1050 engine, the Furgoneta later also received the 1.3-liter álcool-powered engine.
The 147 was the first modern car to use ethanol (E100) as fuel instead of petrol. The performance slightly increased and fuel consumption was 30 percent higher but the cost of the alcohol was a quarter of that of the gasoline because, at that time, petrol had become expensive as a consequence of the 1973 oil crisis. This version was nicknamed "cachacinha" (little cachaça) because it had the smell of that drink.
In November 1978 the luxurious GLS was added, fitted with a 1.3 liter engine. In lower-tuned form, the 1.3-liter engine was also installed in the 147 CLS, Oggi CS, and Panorama CL. The 147 Racing was shortlived, replaced by the 147 TR after the 1983 "Spazio" facelift. A 1301 cc diesel engine, based on the 1,049 cc unit, was announced in August 1980 and entered production in early 1981. This was only ever marketed abroad, as private car owners in Brazil were not allowed to register diesel cars. This version, complete with face-lifted Brazilian market bodywork, was also exported to Europe as a "127" beginning in 1981. In 1982, the diesel engine was also added to the Panorama, which also became available in Europe as a 127.
The 147 underwent a number of facelifts during its career. The earliest cars had a front clip similar to the European 127, but later a new, reverse-rake front appearance called the "Europa" was developed. Later yet (1983), the front was redesigned to match Fiat's new corporate face as defined by the new Uno. The pre-facelift body remained in use for 1980 and 1981 on the cheapest 147 base model, which received larger openings beneath the grille in 1981 as had the Fiorino the year before. To mark the newer versions as different, they received the additional "Spazio" label: this name later came to replace the "147" badge in Argentina.
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File:1982 Fiat 147 1050.jpg|1981 Fiat 147 - only this model year received enlarged openings beneath the grille
File:Fiat 147 in Italia.JPG|The first facelift version of the 147 (Italian market car, carrying "127" labels)
File:1982 Fiat 147 1300 GLS rear right.jpg|1982 Fiat 147 GLS, rear view (Europa front)
File:Fiat 147 Pick-up 1979.jpg|Fiat 147 Pick-up
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Derivatives
The derivatives of the Fiat 147 were a saloon called the Fiat Oggi and an estate called the Fiat Panorama. The Panorama arrived first, in April 1980, originally with either the 1.05 or the 1.3 L petrol engines. The Oggi first appeared in the spring of 1983, just after the introduction of the second facelift. There were also van and pick-up versions available, sold as the Fiorino. The original 147 Pickup (late 1978) sat on the regular 147 bottom plate, but this bodystyle was changed to the longer Panorama chassis in 1981. The Panorama was also available with the diesel engine, mainly for European export but also for assembly in Uruguay, where the Panorama was sold as the Fiat 148.
In October 1982, the locally built 1,116 cc four-cylinder 128-series unit replaced the original two engines. In May 1983 a five-speed transmissions arrived for the new, somewhat sporty TR 5. This also received a 1.3 liter engine. The 1.3 had already been used for the highly tuned IAVA Sorpasso since 1982, but with a twin carburettor and . 405 Sorpassos were built until 1984. Big, square headlights and bumpers, along with re-designed taillights and Fiat's current corporate grille made for a much more modern appearance. Engines and equipment levels remained unchanged, although the smaller 1.1 and the diesel disappeared by 1990. The 1.3 was complemented by a larger 1,372 cc version in 1991, this was renamed the Fiat Vivace in 1993. Production continued until 1996.
An interesting sub-species was the 1987 Fiat Brío - this utilized the original, pre-facelift, Brazilian bodywork from 1976 for a special bargain version with the 1.1 engine. The Brío was discontinued in 1989.