Fiat Brazil’s FCC II off road buggy concept car has been handed an important recognition at Brazil Design Week, where it was one of just 12 projects to be be honoured during the prestigious Brazilian Design Awards contest. Only a dozen projects were chosen by the panel of judges from 460 entries submitted and the FCC [Fiat Concept Car] II, which was entirely built by Fiat Automóveis' Polo de Desenvolvimento Giovanni Agnelli, in Betim, last year, was the only automotive project out of the twelve winning entries to collect the prestigious award.

The Brazil Design Awards were organised by Abedesign, Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Design (Association of Brazilian Design Companies) which were one of the highlights of Brazil Design Week, which took place at Fecomercio in the City of São Paulo. The awards were presented on November 6. The judges selected the winners on the basis of appearance, innovation, creativity, excellence of design language, originality, techniques and social interaction. The award also carried points towards the prestigious IF Design Awards contest which takes place in Hannover, Germany.

“This is a very important prize that recognises the progress of the Centro Estilo América Latina [Latin American Style Centre], that says Fiat is of Italy," comments Peter Fassbender, the manager of the Centro Estilo Fiat América Latina. “It is the result of the creativity, capacity and devotion of all designers of the company."

Fiat Concept Car II

Fiat Concept Car II (FCC II) has been fully developed at the Polo de Desenvolvimento Giovanni Agnelli, in Betim (MG). It has been designed over the ‘Environment & Fun’ concept, meaning an ecologically correct car that offers a pleasant drive. The FCC II goes beyond a concept car, beyond a vehicle intended for leisure and fun. It has been built with extremely correct and ecological components. It is a research lab in the search for new Technologies, the starting point for the adoption of new mobility solutions with the use of alternative, reusable and non-pollutant materials. 

The model’s basic principle is the use of a propulsion system with zero emissions level. The FCC II uses a custom made electric engine, allowing performance and, at the same time, respecting the environment. The electric engine is fed by 93 Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged in any 220V socket; the batteries are installed between the front and the back of the car for a better weight distribution and, consequently, improve dynamic performance of the vehicle. With up to 100 km autonomy, FCC II reaches 59 kW (80.2 hp) and maximum torque of 220 Nm (22.9 kgfm), using a Dualogic gearbox, the very same used in Fiat Linea and Stilo.

In the manufacturing of its body, FCC II makes use of natural fibers from renewable resources for reduced environmental impact, and the nanotechnology to produce lighter and more resistant parts. The body panels such as the hood, for instance, have been injected in a compound with nanoclay; the screwdriver that comes in the tools kit has been injected in recycled plastic with curaua and sisal fibers. Parts such as repair kits, brake discs, springs and suspension part received organometallic coating free of heavy metals. The foam upholstering seats was made with 30% of recycled soybean oil-derived polyol (SBOP). Fiat Automobiles already uses up to 5% of soybean oil-derived polyol in all seats upholstery manufactured in Brazil.

It is also important to highlight that FCC II, for being a vehicle intended for sports and off-road activities, is equipped with the effective Locker system. This is the first time that such set is integrated with an electric engine. The concept’s structure is tubular, with gearbox subsequent placed. The model uses LED lamps in the front and rear lighting, and the headlamps incorporate the bi-xenon technology. Internally, it was informally named “Bugster” by the developing team, name that mixes buggy and roadster concepts. The first FCC was introduced during the Sao Paulo Auto Show in 2006 and was also entirely conceived and developed in Brazil.

Inspired in the lines of a buggy in order to take maximum advantage of its agility, dynamism and strength, FCC II leads its user to the pleasure of driving with all safety. It is young, futurist, an invitation to adventure, to the integration with nature and its elements. The design is simple; it flows, going however, beyond the concept of minimalism. In order to reinforce even more its bond with nature, its body has been painted citrus green. The live color of the suspended parts provides a pleasant contrast with the gray of the structural parts, which refer to a typical industrial, technological and mechanical setting – a combination that transmits a feeling of protection and resistance.

When observed from an upper view plan ― front and rear mudguards and hood ― hold some similarity with birds. Its inclination reminds us restrained wings, if observed along with the FCC II’s front part, as a whole. When visualized from the front, its strong personality and aggressiveness become evident. The optical set composed of xenon headlamps and LEDs, allied to the mudguards, remind us of a wild animal’s look. The mudguard, with lower and side protection, reinforce the strength image of the vehicle.

The observation of its side design clearly indicates the sports inspiration in a buggy. The open body leads users to enjoy the contact with nature elements to the most. In its interior the philosophy of floating parts is repeated, lending coherence to the concept. The console parts, in the shape of a pair of wings, flow towards the driver’s instrument board and towards a glove compartment for the front passenger.

The FCC II is 3.245 mm long, 1.814 mm wide, 1.480 mm high and has 2.155m of distance between axles. The interspace from the ground is 193 mm. The 19” wheels feature 255/55 R19 tires and the total weight are 980 kilograms. The large distance between axles brings the axles close to the ends of the vehicle, providing excellent angles of attack and dash. This is an important detail that favours obstacles approaching and overcoming. Lastly, FCC II is a real off-road vehicle.