01.10.2004 Small AND stylish, the 5Terre concept which sees the Fiat Idea gain four wheel drive AND chunky off road looks, a combination that works very well, is in Paris this week

The Fiat Idea-based 5Terre concept, first seen in Geneva back in March, has made a major second public appearance at this week's Paris Mondial de l'Automotive, as it inches towards a production go-ahead.

The focus of the 5Terre, named after the 'Cinque Terre', a famous, rugged stretch of Italian coastline, is to combine SUV looks with MPV practicality, to create a highly versatile vehicle.

The result has been a great success. The Idea's clean little shape has instantly lent itself to the new SUV appearance. Beefed-up bumpers at both the front and the rear, together with large wheelarch mouldings as well as door and sill covers, all combine to give this car genuine 'off-road' looks.

The well thought out theme is continued by new headlamps, highly effective quad round rear lights and chunky, rugged-looking alloy wheels which allow a peek at the 5Terre's 4-pot Brembo brake calipers. The use of aluminum is not confined to the wheels: subtle strips at the foot of the doors, an 'aero'-style petrol filler flap, and tough-looking under-bumper patterned protection plates, all continue this theme.

Finally, the close attention to detail is completed by the twin-exhaust outlets, and the roofbars, which incorporate the rear high-level brake light, both features that blend perfectly into the Idea's arching, curvy shape.

Under the skin, a neat four wheel drive system offers genuine off road capability, while inside new fabrics complete the tough, hard-working image.

All-in-all, this is a stylish little car, and with Fiat believed to be close to giving it the green light, it is certain be a winner. The 5Terre will, importantly, also provide a welcome fillip to the whole Idea range. This new family member can only help but accelerate the process of winning buyers over, in what is effectively, a new segment.

by Edd Ellison