The 1985 FAAL Frankfurt Auto Show Lineup
The Mesaia II, introduced in 1984, still comes back on the FAAL stand without anything new.
Back then, it introduced FAAL’s first inline 4 204R engine series ranging from 1.3L to 1.8L, electronic fuel injection (single point and multi point) and 4 valves per cylinder on an all new (for FAAL, anyway) transverse layout. Since then, it sold 187,000 units.
The 1985 Auto Show will see two and a half “new” models. Understand: Facelifts with brand new engines.
Up to last year, FAAL has been using nothing but boxer 4 and 6 engines on their lineup. Last year, the Mesaia launched the engine that was gonna eventually replace all Boxer 4 engines. This year, FAAL announced that they stopped the production of all Boxer 6 engines in favour of an all new Inline 5 family, the 255R engine, and also announced the end of all Boxer engine production next year when the new facelift of the Syronia Van (not present on this show) releases.
1985 FAAL Foreia / FAAL Stemma
The couple of Standard sedan / Executive sedan sees its bumpers buff up, its interior improve, and its engine lineup change entirely.
(Foreia)
(Stemma)
If both cars still share the same chassis (and most of their body), production has been split. The Stemma will be the only car produced in Sélestat (where both Foreia and Stemma were produced up until now), and the Foreia will be manufactured in a brand new factory in Geneva, Switzerland. This is to ensure proper production output and quality cars.
As for the engines, the Foreia will be offered with either a 95hp 1.8L inline 4, or a 120hp 2.1L inline 5. A drastic improvement over the 67hp 1.6L Boxer 4 and 90hp 2.0L Boxer 6 from the pre-facelift. The Foreia remains FWD only.
The Stemma, though, sees its power decrease. Previously moved by a 2.6L Mechanically fuel injected Boxer 6 putting out 150hp, its only engine option is now a 2.5L MPI Inline 5 with 140hp.
Though, the new Stemma is also fitted with a brand new S-Tronic 4 four speed automatic gearbox with driving modes, mated to the brand new All Wheel Drive TETRA™ System, meaning despite the power loss, performance is on the same level despite the engine being much tamer (and quieter!).
Standard Equipment and performances:
Foreia BL:
- 1.8L inline 4 engine (95hp)
- FWD
- 5 speed manual
- 165/70/R15 steel wheels with hubcaps
- Vented discs front, Drums rear
- Standard cloth seats
- 2x15w AM/FM radio with non reversing cassette deck
- Power steering
- Progressive suspension
- Vmax 165km/h
- 0-100km/h 11.2s
- Fuel consumption 9.9L/100km
Foreia GL:
- 2.1L inline 5 engine (120hp)
- FWD
- 5 speed manual
- 165/70/R15 alloy wheels
- Vented discs front, solid discs rear
- Half bucket, height adjustable cloth seats
- 4x15w AM/FM radio with reversible cassette deck
- Power steering
- Progressive suspension
- Vmax 191km/h
- 0-100km/h 9.78s
- Fuel consumption 9.4L/100
Stemma GLS
- 2.5L inline 5 engine (140hp)
-AWD TETRA™
- 4 speed auto w/ drive modes
- 170/60/R16 alloy wheels
- Vented discs front, solid discs rear
- Power adjustable leather seats
- 4x30w AM/FM radio with reversible cassette deck, two way speakers and equalizer
- Power steering
-Hydropneumatic, self leveling suspension
- Vmax 191km/h
- 0-100km/h 10.7s
- Fuel consumption 12L/100
All Press Photos:
Foreia
Stemma
1985 FAAL Olympia
Oh this is where the fun at.
The FAAL Olympia 2 seater Coupé also sees a facelift, the new inline 4 and 5 engines, and a huge improvement in performances. Oh you have no idea how huge.
The previous models was moved only by engines from other cars: The base model (S) had a 1.6L high cam, mechanically fuel injected Boxer 4 making 100hp and coming straight from the Mesaia GTI. The upscale model (GT) had the 2.6L 150hp Boxer 6 from the Stemma (see above).
On this facelift, the S and the GT come back with basically the same idea. The S inherits the Mesaia II GTI engine except this time it’s a 1.8L inline 4 with 130hp. The GT has an engine derived from the 140hp 2.5L inline 5 from the Stemma, except tuned to 165hp.
All of this bumps up the top speed to 214km/h and 0-100km/h to 6.8s. But wait, there’s more
A new trim level, the Olympia TETRA (simply badged as the FAAL TETRA) adds up on top of the GT, with amazing numbers. The TETRA is, obviously, fitted with FAAL’s new AWD system, with a central Torsen diff. But it is also moved by a 2.1L inline 5. Same as the Foreia, but with a single ball bearing turbo and ITBs, pushing the power to an amazing 220hp.
Performance increases to a top speed of 225km/h and a 0-100km/h of 5.6s.
And yes, with that engine size, that drivetrain layout and that obnoxious sportiness, it is pretty clear, but I am still gonna make the announcement: Yes, FAAL Enters WRC Group B for the 1985 season with the FAAL Tetra!
The rallye car has been developed at the same time as the facelift, and pushes 525hp out of the 2.1L engine with roughly the same internals. Testing is currently being conducted at the FAAL Saint Dié factory.
And to celebrate this, OH LAWD SHE COMIN
FAAL doesn’t really need a Group B homologation special because the regular FAAL Tetra is close enough to rallye spec to act as a homologation car. But, consider this a… very limited production run of a special edition made to commemorate FAAL joining the WRC, instead.
The FAAL TETRA Tour De Corse is a stripped down version of the FAAL Tetra that takes design cues from the incoming rallye car. … Or rather, a Rallye Car re-engineered into a street legal Tetra. It is 100kg lighter than said regular Tetra, and is moved by a tuned up version of its engine, with the power pushed to a mad 275hp.
Which gives the car a top speed of 241km/h and an obscene 0-100km/h time of 4.6s.
Only 200 Tour De Corse will be produced: 50 of each available colour (Rouge Ardent, Blanc Banquise, Gris Columbo, Noir De Jais). Likely all orders will be taken right there on this auto show so don’t be late!
Standard equipment and performance:
Olympia S
- 1.8L inline 4 engine (130hp)
- RWD with Torsen diff
- 5 speed manual
- 185/60/R15 front, 195/60/R15 rear, alloy wheels
- Vented discs front, solid discs rear
- Half bucket, height adjustable, half cloth half leather saets
- 2x15w AM/FM radio with non reversible cassette deck
- Power steering
- Standard mono tube suspension
- Vmax 201km/h
- 0-100km/h 7.51s
- Fuel consumption 11.7L/100
Olympia GT
- 2.5L inline 5 engine (165hp)
- RWD with Torsen diff
- 5 speed manual
- 195/50/R16 front, 205/50/R16 rear, alloy wheels
- Vented discs front, solid discs rear
- Half bucket, height adjustable, half cloth half leather saets
- 2x30w AM/FM radio with reversible cassette deck and two way speakers
- Power steering
- Standard mono tube suspension
- Vmax 214km/h
- 0-100km/h 6.78s
- Fuel consumption 10.9L/100
Tetra
- 2.1L inline 5 Turbo ITB engine (220hp)
- AWD with Torsen diff
- 5 speed manual
- 225/45/R16, alloy wheels
- Vented discs front, solid discs rear
- Bucket seats, height adjustable, with holes for a race harness
- 2x30w AM/FM radio with reversible cassette deck and two way speakers
- Power steering
- Standard mono tube suspension
- Vmax 224km/h
- 0-100km/h 5.59s
- Fuel consumption 11.8L/100
Tetra TDC
- 2.1L inline 5 Turbo ITB engine (275hp)
- AWD with Torsen diff
- 5 speed manual
- 225/45/R16, alloy wheels
- Vented discs all around
- Bucket seats, height adjustable, with holes for a race harness
- No radio
- Power steering
- Standard mono tube suspension
- Vmax 241km/h
- 0-100km/h 4.6s
- Fuel consumption 14.9L/100
Photos:
All Press Photos
Olympia S:
Olympia GT:
Tetra:
Tetra TDC:
Bonus
The actual WRC Tetra will not be at the auto show, but here are some spy shots:
