Italian Concept Car of the Year 2007

Bertone’s financial struggles have been well documented this year; however the historic firm still knows how to build a concept car: the stylish and innovative Panda based Barchetta was one of the big draws of the Geneva Motor Show. It was the voters’ choice too as Italiaspeed Concept Car of the Year 2007, racking up 5,670 votes; second place went to Fiat Centro Stile’s innovative-material-using Panda Aria (1,785), while third went to another Panda derivative, this time the cheeky tracked ‘Snowmobile’ (1,155).

Bertone Barchetta
The Barchetta celebrates Bertone’s 95th anniversary. Based on the floorpan and mechanicals of the Fiat Panda 100 HP, the Barchetta is an open-top strictly two-seat sports car that recalls the classic Fiat 500 Barchetta created by the young Nuccio Bertone in 1947 as a one-off for his personal use in races. The exterior styling combines high-polished aluminium shell pieces with transparent door sections, which themselves open up and backwards in scissor fashion. Inside the cockpit is minimalist and the seats are upholstered in natural leather. As with competition Barchetta models the driving control mechanisms are all exposed. The Bertone Barchetta is a fully functioning prototype.

Fiat Panda Aria
This concept car illustrates Fiat’s viewpoint of cars with a low environmental impact. The Panda Aria combines the innovative SGE 900 cc Turbo twin-cylinder engine, equipped with the Multiair system for dual petrol / methane-hydrogen fuel management, MTA gearbox and Stop&Start device – with the adoption of eco-compatible materials (recycled, recyclable or of natural origin) both outside and inside. The concept also includes the latest Blue&Me technology, including software which informs the driver how to adopt a more eco-friendly driving style.

Fiat Panda Snowmobile
The Panda Snowmobile was built to be used by the Chalet Fiat marketing initiative at the famous Apline skiing resort of Madonna di Campiglio. Created by Fiat Centro Stile it was designed as a practical 'snowmobile' capable of carrying out day-to-day tasks in extreme snow/ice conditions, with the Panda's wheels replaced by rugged tracks. It was unveiled during Ferrari annual media skiing event, Vrooom 2007, held at the same resort. During Vrooom 2007 the two Panda Snowmobiles were driven amongst others by Scuderia drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.

Fiat Panda Buggy
Designed by Fiat Centro Style to be used by the Fiat Freestyle Team, the Panda Buggy took the Panda Cross' off road abilities to the very maximum. Fiat is a long time backer of the 'adventure sports' Fiat Freestyle team, which spans sports such as skateboarding, supercross, paragliding and snowboarding. With jacked up suspension it is fitted with huge wheels and bulbous tyres able to whisk the little car across the most rugged of terrains. This is coupled to a strengthened new front bumper, large under floor protection plates, a roof air intake and a rear end stripped out to carry the equipment used by the Fiat Freestyle Team.

Fiat Panda Tanker
The Panda Tanker concept was developed by Fiat Centro Stile together with leading outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturer Dainese. The three-door Panda Tanker is based on the petrol-engined Panda 4x4 and is finshed in a satin-effect grey that gives the appearance of it being unpainted. Together with other concepts from 2007, the Tanker shows a trend towards satin / matte paint schemes which could make an introduction on production cars in the near future.

Fioravanti Thalia
The Thalia concept presents a form and packaging study with theoretically envirmonmental pretensions, submitting an unconventional solution as how to package alternative energy technology. The overall dimensions of the Thalia measure similar to an E-segment estate with a 2900 mm wheelbase, however the rear seating has been heightened by around 30 cm to form an individual compartment with unique front windscreen for the rear passengers. Underneath the high-positioned rear seats hypothetically lies the latest alternative energy technology. The space generated underneath the seats leaves the possibility for hydrogen tanks for fuel cell technology, or even batteries for an electric or hybrid engine. The Fioravanti Thalia is a mockup.

IED beON
Based around a hypothetical alternative hybrid platform, the beON mockup was designed by 19 students completing the Turin IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) Master programme in Transportation Design. The beON is a two-seat off-road sports car, which is intended to travel over deserts, beaches and wild terrains, as well as partake in everyday city traffic. The intriguing exterior design is characterised by its open wheels, visible chassis sections and large glass area. The complexity of the design called for intense modelling to achieve the final 1:1 scale model, which resulted in creating the body in sections with hand finishsing. Theoretically the car is driven by a hybrid thermal-electric engine, which is connected to hydraulic transmission systems placed within each wheel hub, which also act as brakes.

Italdesign-Giugiaro VAD.HO
VAD.HO is a futuristic study based on BMW V12 hydrogen power with a two-seat jetfighter inspired cockpit, with the passenger positioned directly behind the driver. The VAD.HO also presents Italdesign-Giugiaro’s innovative dual joystick steering system, which has since been patented by Italdesign-Giugiaro. The interior was developed around the 'Oscar percentile', measuring larger than the 95th percentile. The intriguing layout does not seem so far fetched, considering 500-litre boot space, midmounted V12 engine and similar external propotions to the Ferrari 575 Maranello. Also within the advanced interior is the EFIS (Electronic Flight Information Systems) liquid crystal display which incorporates the digital instrumentation centrally beneath the rear-view video monitors.

Italian Concept Car of the Year 2006
2006 was also a year when Lancia, one of the most famous and evocative of all automotive brands, celebrated its centenary and at the same time unveiled a brand new concept car that is set to lead it into a bright new dawn. The distinctive brand looks of the Delta HPE (4,837) were rewarded by voters as it swept to the Concept Car of the Year title, comfortably ahead of the pretty little Alfa Romeo Diva (2,249) and Lamborghini’s bold reinterpretation of the iconic Miura (1,648).