Industria Argentina Vehículos de Avanzada
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Group of 16 Argentine Fiat dealers |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Martínez, Buenos Aires , Argentina |
Area served | Argentina |
Key people | Carlos Marsengo (Founder), Gerónimo Grossi (President), Marcelo Zunnino (Director) |
| Products | High-performance automobiles based on Fiat models (Fiat 128, Fiat 147, Fiat 133, others) |
| Parent | Initially Fiat Concord, later Sevel Argentina |
Industria Argentina de Vehículos de Avanzada (IAVA) was an automobile manufacturer created in 1971 by a group of 16 Argentine Fiat dealers. Based in Martínez, Buenos Aires, IAVA became the pioneer producer of high-performance vehicles in Argentina. It operated as a subsidiary initially under Fiat Concord and later under Sevel Argentina until it ceased operations in 1985.
Inspired by Italy's Abarth, IAVA focused on delivering enhanced versions of the Argentine Fiat 128. The company maintained the original 128 chassis but introduced an upgraded, transversely mounted 1100 cc four-cylinder engine, improving power output, driving comfort, and aerodynamic efficiency.
History
Founded in 1971 through the initiative of Carlos Marsengo, then Director of Fiat Concord, IAVA received apparent endorsement from Fiat’s headquarters in Italy.
The initial vehicle assembly occurred at Fiat’s Caseros facility before relocating to Martínez on Fondo de la Legua avenue. Gerónimo Grossi was appointed as IAVA’s inaugural president, with Marcelo Zunnino acting as Director.
The flagship product was the Fiat 128, which gained recognition in both Rallying and Turismo Carretera. The "128 TV" ("Turismo Veloz"), introduced in March 1972, produced nearly 500 units in its debut year and could reach a maximum speed of 170 km/h at 7,000 rpm.
Beyond the 128, IAVA engineered performance variants of the Fiat 147 dubbed Sorpasso and the Fiat 133 with IAVA and Top editions. The company also manufactured fewer than 25 units of the Kikito Buggy along with two berlinetta-style prototypes. Additional endeavors included developing a boat engine derived from an SSB design and creating a Mara prototype. Modifications were also applied to models like the Fiat 600, Fiat 125, and Fiat Duna.
Following Sevel Argentina’s merger of Fiat and Peugeot production lines starting in 1980, a corporate decision to discontinue subsidiaries led to IAVA’s closure in 1985.
Production
- 1971–73 - Fiat 128 IAVA 1100 (71 HP)
- 1974–77 - Fiat 128 IAVA 1300 (88 HP)
- 1977–78 - Fiat 128 Europa IAVA 1100 (88-100 HP)
- 1977–78 - Fiat 128 Europa IAVA 1300 (100 HP)
- 1978–82 - Fiat 128 IAVA TV 1300 (88 & 102 HP)
- 1979–82 - Fiat 133T IAVA 900 (54 HP)
- 1982–83 - Fiat 147 Sorpasso IAVA 1300 (90 HP)
- 1983–84 - Fiat 147 TR5 IAVA 1300 (90 HP)
Famous owners
Prominent Argentines who owned Fiat IAVA automobiles include Sandro, Daniel Scioli, Ramón Díaz, Carlos Monzón, Marcelo Tinelli, Hugo Gatti, and Guillermo Coppola. Additionally, humorist Luis Landriscina competed driving a Fiat 128 during a rally event in 1974.