Fiat Concepts Built for Green and Speed

Italian auto conglomerate Fiat will be introducing a pair of new concept vehicles at Frankfurt, frugal performance seeming to be the theme.

Grande Punto Abarth essesse

Having grounded itself in a state of strong finances and good automobiles after some rather tumultuous times, Fiat is now back in stride and focusing on its heritage. Back in the day, Fiat’s performance brand was called “Abarth” (the small Turin-based company founded by Carlo Abarth was taken over by Fiat in July of ‘71) and it produced potent versions of such classic vehicles as the 500.

More recently the Abarth team created a version of the new Grande Punto, and now they’ve revisited the project with an even higher performance model called the essesse, or SS which stands for Super Sport. The essesse produces twice the power of what a standard Grande Punto makes – 180 horsepower over the regular 90, which is 30 hp more than the regular Abarth-tuned Grande Punto. It also has race-tuned suspension and brakes plus extra-large wheels and tires. Keep in mind that despite the Grande name, the Punto is still a subcompact car with a footprint only slightly larger than a Honda Fit.

In addition, the Abarth essesse features a truly aggressive body kit that gives the little hatchback the look of a rally car set up for a tarmac circuit. The front bumpers have three functional intakes, and generate a widebody look, while the roof features an integrated spoiler as well.

As it stands, the Grande Punto Abarth essesse is a prototype, though rumours are circulating that Fiat will produce it in very limited quantities. Long live the hot hatchback! Now, if we could only buy Fiats here…

Fiat Panda Aria Concept

Because green is the trendiest colour out there right now, Fiat will also be bringing out a special version of its Panda city car called the Aria. The Aria has a tiny engine, an 800 cc (0.8 litre) two-cylinder unit that’s been boosted by a turbocharger to make it possible to generate a rather reasonable 80 horsepower. Fiat opted for just two cylinders because it reduces the size and weight of the engine, furthering its quest for the most efficient motor possible.

But it doesn’t stop there because the Aria’s engine can run on regular gasoline or a new fuel called MultiAir, which is a mixture consisting of 70-percent methane and 30-percent hydrogen. Add to that an idle-stop system, plus a very efficient clutchless sequential manual transmission, and the little Aria is bound to have a truly tiny thirst for fuel. Carbon dioxide emissions are next to nothing at 69 g/km, and the car would be more than capable of meeting the future forecasted Euro5 and Euro6 emissions standards.

As for the car that houses this brilliant new engine, it’s been completely rethought without changing the actual look of the vehicle. The body’s panels are made from an eco-resin that’s semi-transparent and painted with environmentally friendly lacquer. As for the interior, the seats and fabrics used are completely natural (linen, cotton, coconut husks) and are biodegradable.