It was 1982 when Innocenti, already owned by the histrionic Alejandro De Tomaso for five years, introduced the “Three Cylinder”, bringing back Marcello Gandini’s masterpiece (yes, him: the father of Countach, Diablo, Stratos, EB110, etc.) with completely renewed mechanics. In order to replace the old Leyland engines, an agreement with Daihatsu was signed for the supply of new three-cylinder engines: an unorthodox choice for a small car. Together with the engine—the Sanyo CB21—several mechanical parts were replaced, suspension included, which gave the “little one” a much superior driving comfort.

The project peaked a year later with the launch of the Innocenti De Tomaso Turbo, equipped with the same engine as its little siblings, but with an additional turbocharger and a “blow-through” carburettor (like in the legendary Maserati Biturbo).

The result was a mini sports car with a top speed of 165 km/h and impressive equipment. Power windows, five speeds and an interior comparable to much fancier saloons. The dashboard, for instance, had a well-equipped gauge cluster, with speedometer, tachometer, and turbo pressure gauge; all framed by the gorgeous three-spoke Momo wheel covered in leather and angled specifically to suit this model. The Innocenti De Tomaso Turbo was therefore its own creation and not simply the SE version of the Three-Cylinder.

The price was quite steep, though in line with the exclusivity of the product, and amounted to 10,560,000 liras: more or less comparable to an averagely equipped Escort or Kadett.

Nowadays, much of the official Innocenti documentation is lost: consequently, there is no official archive, and data is plausible but not precise. It is certain that about 6,000 vehicles were produced. It is estimated that 3,000 of those were equipped with the Sanyo CB21: you can see one example in the pictures.