Fiat At The 2004 Motor Show
Published: 17th May 2004
Fiat Doblo
Since going on sale here in January, Panda has been awarded a further three prestigious UK accolades: Best City Car in What Car? magazine’s 2004 Awards, Budget Car from BBC Top Gear, and Design of the Year from Fleet World magazine; all of which serve as a further reinforcement of media and public feeling for Fiat Auto’s universally acclaimed new supermini.
Fiat will also be exhibiting a left-hand drive version of the forthcoming new Panda SUV, which is due to go on sale here next year. This extrovert ‘off-road’ vehicle is derived from the Simba, a 4WD concept car that aroused so much curiosity at the 2003 Bologna Motor Show.
New Panda SUV has a two-tone body, as well as the equipment typical of an SUV; large round headlights and aluminium protective elements for the chassis and engine. This ‘all-terrain’ look is highlighted by generous 185/65 R15 wheels and a ground clearance of 170 mm. There are few difficulties that the Panda SUV cannot tackle, thanks to its permanent four-wheel drive system with viscous coupling and two differentials: the system cuts in automatically and enables the car to negotiate a maximum gradient of over 50%. The Panda SUV is the only small off-road vehicle powered by a diesel engine with a capacity of less than 1900 cc.
Designed by Fiat Centro Stile, the Fiat Trepiùno concept car represents the theme of ‘back to the future’. The prototype is a modern reworking of the cars that marked the first wave of mass motorisation in Italy. The car’s specific proportions and certain external traits give it a fun appearance that also convey a clear impression of solidity and durability. Due to its compact size and wide track, the Fiat Trepiùno is also distinctive for its sporting, dynamic appearance. Fiat Auto designers devoted great attention to detail without ever losing sight of the simplicity that is the keynote of the new car.
New materials technology has made the Fiat Trepiùno the first car to transcend the classic ‘2+2’ arrangements of certain coupes or open-topped sports cars, and also the configurations of many city cars that limit passenger room to just two seats in the front. Trepiùno has thus made it possible for the 3+1 concept to be introduced for cars with restricted rear space. This has been achieved through an innovative structure, able to adapt to the most common transport needs and satisfy the greatest number of users: 2 seats, 3 seats, or 3+1 emergency seat. The new Fiat prototype thus connects the boot compartment to the facia by means of a set of possible conversions that effectively make the interior fully reconfigurable. An original design, then, to meet a new post-modern consumer trend that reworks retro shapes and styles to meet present-day needs.
Also on the stand will be the new Fiat Idea, which is Fiat Auto’s first entry in the mini-MPV market, a segment which is now being targeted by most major car manufacturers.
Fiat Doblo
Our Fiat Doblo Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Doblo range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £10,120 - £12,710
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 10
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 6th July 2008
