Zastava · 1980–2008

Yugo

The Yugo (pronounced [ˈjûɡo]), also known as the Zastava Yugo, Zastava Koral (pronounced [ˈzâːstaʋa ˈkǒraːl], Serbian Cyrillic: Застава Корал), Yugo Koral, Yugo Tempo or Jugo, is a subcompact hatchback manufactured by Zastava Automobiles from 1980 until 2008, originally a Yugoslav corporation. Originally named the Zastava Jugo 45, various other names were also used over the car's long production run, like Yugo Tempo, Yugo Ciao, or Innocenti Koral. It was most commonly marketed as the Yugo 45/55/60/65, with the number referring to the car's maximum power. In the United States, it was sold as the Yugo GV (and sub-versions). Originally designed as a shortened variant of the Fiat 128, series production started in 1980. The Zastava Koral IN, a facelifted model, was marketed until 2008, after which the production of all Zastava cars ended. Between 1980 and 2008, more than 794,000 Yugos were produced in total. The Yugo was marketed in the United States from 1985 to 1992 by Malcolm Bricklin, who asked Jerry Puchkoff to conceive and produce the market introduction and launch of the Yugo in 1985 with a total of 141,651 sold, peaking at 48,812 in 1987 and falling to 1,412 in 1992. Despite moderate success during its run in the United States and several other export markets, it was criticized for its design, poor safety, and reliability, though the car has also picked up a cult following.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Zastava Yugo

All Zastava Yugo data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Models

Over the course of its production, the model range was marketed under various nameplates: Yugo 45 / Zastava Koral 45 / Koral 1.0 (903 cc Economic engine) [33 kW/45 hp] (Yugoslavia [later Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia], United Kingdom, Europe), Yugo 55 / Zastava Koral 55 / Zastava Koral 1.1 with the bigger 1.1L 55HP engine from Zastava 101, also carbureted (Yugoslavia, U.K., Europe). Yugo 60 [1.1L 60HP engine Weber twin barrel carburetor version] (Germany, Europe, Latin America), Yugo 60 efi (1.1L 60HP Electronic fuel injection engine) (Germany, Europe, Latin America), Yugo 65 / Zastava Koral 1.3 [1.3L 65HP engine Weber twin barrel carburetor version] (Germany, U.K., Europe, Latin America), Yugo 65 efi (1.3L 65HP Electronic fuel injection engine) (Germany, Europe, Latin America), Yugo 65A GLX (Highest RHD trim model with 1.3L 65HP Weber carburetor and special front/back bumpers, spoiler and body plastics) (U.K.), Yugo GV (United States), Yugo GV Plus Automatic (Renault 3-Speed automatic transmission) (U.S.), Yugo GV Sport (U.S.), Yugo GVC (U.S.), Yugo GVL (U.S.), Yugo GVS (U.S.), Yugo GVX (1.3L EFI engine) (U.S.), Yugo Cabrio (Cabrio version with electric roof and modified bumpers. Most often equipped with 1.1 carbureted or 1.3 EFI motors; U.S., Germany, Yugoslavia, and Greece), Yugo CL (Facelifted model with modified front/rear bumper, grille and body parts (Yugoslavia and Europe), Yugo Ciao (Sports version of Yugo CL with modified suspension, special color palette and sport steering wheel, gear stick and pedals) (Yugoslavia and Europe) Zastava Koral IN (2nd facelift model with modified front/rear bumpers, body parts, and interior) (Serbia and Europe), Zastava Koral In 1.0E (903 cc Economic engine),[33 kW/45 hp] (Se

History

=== Background === Zastava was founded as an arms manufacturer in 1853. By the late 1930s, the company had expanded into automobile production supplying Ford-designed trucks to the Royal Yugoslav Army. Vehicle production continued until 1941, when World War II reached Yugoslavia. Following the war, Zastava was permitted to produce Jeeps under license from Willys-Overland until production was halted in the early 1950s. As Zastava celebrated its 100th anniversary, it started producing vehicles under license from Fiat. The first passenger models were produced on 26 August 1953 using designs licensed by Fiat of Turin. The first widely successful model was a licensed version of the Fiat Milletrecento ("One thousand three hundred") in which Zastava also introduced some local modifications. It was a sedan called the "Hiljadu i trista" ("One thousand three hundred") and was powered by a 1,300 cc engine. One of the most successful and recognizable models were those based on the Fiat 128 model, marketed under different names: Zastava 101, Zastava 128, Zastava 311, Zastava Skala, etc. From 1962 to 1985, Zastava produced its second most popular model, an updated version of the rear-engined Fiat 600, called the Zastava 750. It featured a larger engine capacity, larger headlights, bigger fuel tank and modernized interior. The most popular model was the Zastava 101, a hatchback version of the Fiat 128. The 101 also formed the basis for the smaller Yugo. By the 1970s, it was clear to Zastavas engineers that the design and technology of their entry level model in their production lineup, the Zastava 750, was highly outdated. The Yugo was designed as a more modern replacement for Zastavas, at the time entry model, the 750. However, due to the 750's popularity the Yugo and the 750 were in

Reception

Along with other Central and Eastern European vehicles marketed in the West during the 20th century—such as the Škoda—the Yugo was subjected to derision by critics who pointed to its use of old-generation Fiat technology and to alleged issues with build quality and reliability. The Yugo was voted as Car Talk's worst car of the millennium. Similarly, the Yugo GV was listed on Time's "The 50 Worst Cars of All Time" list, and the Yugo 45 ranked No. 1 on Complex Magazine's "The 50 Worst Cars of the '80s" list. Various other critics have added the Yugo to their lists of the worst cars. On May 1987, Popular Science gave the Yugo a mixed review, noting the low base price, the somewhat cramped interior, and lack of air conditioning. The Yugo was tested alongside the Ford Festiva, Hyundai Excel, Pontiac Lemans, Subaru Justy, and Volkswagen Fox, where it emerged as the best performer in the braking tests, while the handling and maneuverability were described as "respectable". The only negative aspects of the car were the poor acceleration and the noise, while the ride was described as choppy even on smooth roads. According to a Popular Mechanics survey conducted in 1987, reception was mixed in the United States with the majority of owners praising the low cost, though only 42.4% stated they would buy a Yugo again. Over half thought the worksmanship was good while less than a quarter described it as excellent. "That's not a great testimonial, but we've often surveyed more expensive cars that came off no better," the article noted. 57.2% of Yugo owners reported having mechanical troubles while dealer repair services were rated as fair to poor. Some owners also reported that the brakes squealed, shifting gears was hard on the Yugo, the 8.5 US gallons (32 L; 7.1 imp gal) gas tank was

In popular culture

The car has achieved a symbolic status in former Yugoslavian countries due to the simplicity, reliability, and overall cheap price, and the Yugoslavian mentality of people regularly fixing their own cars instead of servicing them at their local garage. They have been featured in many fictional works in the region, largely owing to how common they were and are in various roles. They are still very popular and are a common sight in former Yugoslavian countries, and the large number of parts available make it easily repairable. In stark contrast, in the United States, the car was frequently subjected to ridicule and mockery and it has a universally negative rating. Car Talk has rated it the "worst car of the millennium", and many car magazines and TV shows rate it as the worst car of the 1980s and also one of the worst cars ever made. Despite the very low price setting in the U.S. (with Yugo being the cheapest new car ever sold in the U.S. when adjusted for inflation), it was ridiculed for the overall ugly design, poor quality, and large number of technical issues. Many American Yugos had faulty designs that were stressed in owners' manuals to be regularly serviced, but this caused even more ridicule due to owners overlooking these issues. The car has become a sort of a symbol for a lemon car. The car was also featured in many TV shows and films, satirizing the car's poor design (the most famous examples being a rusty beige Yugo GV featured in Die Hard with a Vengeance, and a taxi-yellow Yugo in Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist). One was featured in season 5 episode 7 of Moonlighting as a gift of a "Practical" car for Dave Addison which met its ignominious end in an open grave. A Yugo is prominently featured as an unmarked police car in the 1987 film Dragnet. In a voiceove

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Yugo
Manufacturer: Zastava
Assembly: Yugoslavia / Serbia: Kragujevac
Production: 28 November 1980 – 11 November 2008
Class: Subcompact (B)
aka: Zastava Jugo/Yugo, Zastava Koral, Yugo 45/55/60/65, Yugo Ciao, Yugo GV/GVL/GVS/GVX, Yugo Koral, Yugo Tempo, Innocenti Koral
Body style: 3-door hatchback, 2-door convertible
Layout: FF layout
Engine: 903 cc Fiat 100 I4, 1116 cc Fiat 128 SOHC I4, 1124 cc PSA TU1 SOHC I4, 1301 cc Fiat 128 SOHC I4
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Length: 3485 mm
Width: 1548 mm
Height: 1390 mm
Kerb weight: 825 kg to 920 kg
Wheelbase: 2150 mm
Related: Fiat 128, Fiat 127

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21205906CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YugoCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375363099 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zastava_Koral_In_Rear_View.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Eugenio Di Gioia · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.