Press Release
Three Fiat Panda World Premieres
The Fiat area at the Paris Motor Show is refreshingly youthful and a feast for the eyes. The stand extends over 2500 square metres, and presents simple, rounded lines. The design and liveries of the cars on show are offset by white walls and flooring.
Visitors wandering through this inventive setting are able to discover that Fiat has indeed changed its tune and that its products represent the most sophisticated technology, the best Italian design and the greatest respect for the environment. Place of honour on the stand is reserved for the Panda family that proudly presents three world previews at the French show: the new 2007 range, the powerful and feisty ‘100 HP’ version and the green ‘Panda Panda’ version. This is the best demonstration of the versatility of a winning model that lives up to the Panda spirit by continuing to surprise with new versions: the Panda 4x4, the Panda Cross, the Panda Alessi, the Panda Monster and now the brand new Panda Panda and Panda 100 HP.
The second focus of the stand is dedicated to the Grande Punto that conveys three different concepts in an original way: sportiness, play and hi-tech entertainment and telephony. Visitors to the show may admire a Grande Punto Sport in the ‘Need For Speed’ specification, another version equipped with the ultra-new 1.4 16v Starjet - and also a stylish 5 door Emotion. Not to mention the fact that all three cars come with a Hi-Fi Interscope system but also ‘Blue&Me®’, the sophisticated Windows Mobile-based system produced in a joint venture between Fiat Auto and Microsoft. One of these cars also sports the first car tribal tattoo kit to be produced by Fiat Auto. This opaque film is sold in the form of modules that can be applied to the front doors, rear doors or tailgate for fast and easy car customisation. Such makeovers were until recently considered complicated, costly and achievable only with the aid of qualified, specialised staff but this Fiat kit now offers an easy, practical and cheap alternative. The kit also offers innumerable opportunities for decoration without any risk of damaging the body when customers wish to remove or replace the tattoo.
Environmentally friendly versions are also represented by the Multipla Multi-Eco and Panda Panda Concept car: the future and present for minimum environmental impact vehicles – Fiat style. This on-going commitment has led to a comprehensive range of Natural Power products able to meet the needs of professional operators and individual members of the public alike: including the Doblò, the Punto, the Multipla and the Panda. The resulting broad range allows Fiat Auto to retain its European leadership in the segment of cars sold with methane engines as original equipment: more than 24,000 units were sold in 2005 (more than double the amount sold in 2004).
The host of new car products and all the architectural and graphic features of the stand at the Paris show create a unique atmosphere that celebrates Italian motorsport and engineering. Fiat also backs its distinctive products with unmistakable design that has always made its models immediately recognisable amidst the run-of-the-mill traffic on the road today. This line-up naturally includes the Croma Model Year ‘07 and the Fiat Sedici that parade across the stand in perfect harmony with the panache of a winning brand that has always played a leading role in many different segments.
The set is complemented by an imposing Fiat building adorned with 3-D logos and led windows plus three huge spheres made out of overlapping sheets of lacquered wood, made more original by shifting light effects inside. A central platform at the base of these original spheres acts as a workstation for the DJs and VJs who perform throughout the show to create a fun stand where everyone can meet and listen to music. Another round platform houses the Ducato Truckster show van with a new Panda 100 HP on its back.
The Multipla Multi-Eco Concept Car is located inside one of the spheres while the other houses the Concept – Lab, a virtual workshop for the New Fiat 500 that has already received thousands of suggested configurations and ideas for accessories and custom versions from the host of enthusiasts who have visited www.fiat500.com (a new interactive multimedia site created specially for the eagerly-awaited model). Further campaigns in line with the 500 philosophy over the coming months will ensure that the new model is truly ‘a car created for the people, from the ideas of the people’.
Last but not least, visitors to the Fiat stand may also admire ‘Football Italian Athletic Toys’ a special installation by Felice Limosani, presented by LUISAVIAROMA. This piece of art combines the world of sport with the world of ‘toys’ – in this case entertaining artistic playthings somewhere between design, art and graphics. The installation takes the form of an immense table football game destined for the Guinness Book of Records (12x2 metres), featuring two teams: Dog (black) against Cat (white) from the renowned TOY2R ToyCollection. The idea is inspired by the famous FIAT workers’ USOF sports clubs (the acronym stands for ‘Unione Sportiva Operai Fiat’). The capital letters of the installation spell out the name FIAT: Football Italian Athletic Toys.
Both teams are captained by a ‘toy’ 1.7m high wearing a FOOT-BALL 1920 shirt produced by Brama bearing the Rites Sportwear logo. The CAPTAIN-TOY will then be exhibited in the main European art galleries during the TOYFASHIONTOUR that will see contributions by famous stylists such as Yohji Yamamoto, Galliano and Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy. The tour represents a marriage between fashion, major labels and artistic toys and aims to raise money for the Telethon Foundation.
