Autobianchi A111 History

Introduced in April 1969, the A111 was Autobianchi's largest car ever and its only attempt at the small family saloon segment. At roughly four metres long, it was derived from the Primula's transverse front-wheel-drive platform but substantially larger and more spacious, directly paralleling the Fiat 128 launched the same year. For a brand built on city cars, it was an unusual step upmarket.

A revised Series 2 was shown at the 52nd Turin Motor Show in late 1970, featuring double-stacked tail lamps, updated bumpers, new interior trim, and a revised centre console. Despite the competent engineering, the A111 never found a large audience — the Fiat 128 occupied the same market niche under the parent brand and drew most of the buyers. Total production reached 56,984 units before the line was closed in 1972, and the model was never replaced. Thereafter Autobianchi returned to what it did best: upscale superminis.