Fiat
500 Coupe Zagato Concept
The
Fiat 500 Coupé Zagato, the concept created by one of the most famous
automotive design names in the world, with the collaboration of the Fiat Group
Automobiles' Centro Stile makes its debut at the 2011 Geneva International
Motor Show.
Presented
at the Fiat stand, the prototype stands out for its sinuous yet decidedly
sporty and contemporary contours, inspired by the namesake predecessor built in
the 1950 by the famous Italian bodyworker on the chassis of the 500. Yet while
Zagato had then completely revamped the exterior style of the basic model,
today the designers emphasised the silhouette of the Fiat 500, already similar
to a coupé, giving it an even more aggressive appeal. In addition, the unique
shape of the roof features the characteristic "double hump", the true
emblem of Zagato, teaming the lowering of the car with retaining excellent
interior comfort.
Like
many historic custom-built cars, the concept car affords the classic "2+2
seater" formula, retaining the compact dimensions of the basic model:
indeed, it is 355 centimetres long, 163 cm wide and 149 cm high, with a 230
centimetre wheelbase. So it is a compact car which "conceals" under
the bonnet the revolutionary TwinAir 105 HP engine which maximizes the
"fun to drive" of this car, while ensuring, consistently with the
downsizing philosophy, excellent performance levels against a considerable
reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels. To achieve this objective,
the engine features a specific "turbomatching" (engine-turbocharger
coupling).
The
105 HP TwinAir engine, which has never been used on any of the Group's models
yet, is therefore the ideal engine to be installed in compact sized sporty
cars, as demonstrated by the high torque delivered (155 Nm at 2,500 rpm) and
the absolute world record in terms of absolute power (105 HP at 5,500 rpm). In
addition, at 124 HP/litre, this engine is also one of the world leaders in
specific power. All while ensuring reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
unrivalled in this category: 95 g/km.
Designed
mainly for a young and dynamic male target, the Fiat 500 Coupé Zagato Concept
also accommodates the needs of a female target owing to the painstaking pursuit
of stylistic solutions resulting from the most interesting trends on colours
and materials. For instance, the prototype livery is Pop Yellow, a specific
three-layer bodypaint colour tending towards white which emphasises the vehicle
contour while giving it a pop image, full of energy and brimming with
personality.