Resplendent in its bright yellow paint job in Geneva, the Fioravanti Skill proposes an innovative 2-seater B-segment cabriolet concept on the base of the brand-new Fiat Grande Punto. The concept focuses on a young 2-seater folding hardtop with added practicality for carrying luggage and sports equipment. Fioravanti told Italiaspeed, “Most 2+2 cabriolets in the B-segment are not proper four-seaters, so we decided to make better use of the space by providing more luggage area.”

Representing a crossover between a cabriolet and a pickup, the Skill is a new kind of niche product mainly dedicated towards young and active people. So, its theme as a “fun pickup Spider” has resulted in a boot capacity of 750 litres, and its integrated structure allows the possibility to transport bulky sports equipment such as bicycles, skis, snowboards and surfboards.

After the LF roof patent, presented at the Geneva Salon of 2001 on the Alfa Romeo-branded Vola concept and then applied on the production Ferrari Superamerica last year, Fioravanti are now presenting another folding hardtop solution on the Skill. The system of the new retractable rigid hardtop patent results in a low centre of gravity, as well as a logical packaging solution. Through an electro-motor and chain mechanism, the folding hardtop roof rotates 90 degrees and slides down vertically behind the seats. The rear pillars contain the chain mechanisms, and also house the roll bar, high-mounted brake lights and loud speakers.
 

According to Fioravanti, the Skill concept is more focused towards a packaging solution rather than a technological break-through, despite them pointing out that, “The concept is production ready.” For sure, the Skill represents the possibility of introducing a new spin-off on the base of a current car by suitable synergies and relatively small investment.

Apart from being 20 mm lower, the outer dimensions of the concept remain true to those of the production Fiat Grande Punto 3-door hatchback. The Skill concept has no professional relation to the Bertone Suagnà folding hardtop, also based on the Grande Punto and presented at the same show.

Also present on the Fioravanti stand at the Geneva Motor Show was the sensual Sensiva gas turbine hybrid prototype, which dates from 1994.

Fioravanti, based in the historic centre of Moncalieri in the foothills of the Piedmont region, is a design bureau dedicated towards providing innovative ideas to the automotive industry. With 15 full-time designers, their work ranges from strategic marketing with proposals of new products, to research with new patents, and from developing vehicle architecture and styling, to engineering studies for prototype feasibility.

by James Granger