The new concept car was built over the last year with the opinion of internet navigators, from the theme and conception of the design, up to the choice of materials, innovations and diverse resources for the vehicle, inspired in the discussion about the automobile’s future and the future automobile. From August 2009 to October 2010, more than two million people, from 160 countries, visited the portal, where 17 thousand were registered and more than 10 thousand ideas were posted, thus helping in the construction of a new Fiat concept car in Latin America.

The Fiat Concept Car III (FCC III), christened as Fiat Mio, is the third concept car  developed totally at the Giovanni Agnelli Development Pole (Betim/MG), and unique worldwide developed from suggestions from internet navigators from different corners of the planet. This is the true world automobile, which satisfies the yearnings of the consumer in general.

Developed on an open platform, which uses Creative Commons licenses, the project is more flexible with respect to authorial rights. This concept car is a study free from necessities and ideas of all project participants, which go from the common citizen up to unconditional automobile lovers.

Fiat Mio maintains the Fiat tradition in presenting innovative solutions in concept cars created by its engineering and design teams in Latin America, as the antecessors FCC I and FCC II, presented in the 2006 and 2008 editions of the São Paulo International Auto Show, the largest in Latin America.

The conception of an automobile along with internet navigators broke paradigms. Mainly for an industry like the automotive industry, where secret can mean a lot of market share percent points. It was the first time that a world manufacturer left its development process so transparent.

Project development also required total modification of the company’s internal parameters. The established collaborative process virtually asked interactivity among various sectors of the company. And it provoked a revolution in the manufacturer’s internal systems, since many sectors, on a routine basis, do not work with so much closeness to the end user. Research and intelligence, Style Center, engineering, marketing, communication, training, human resources and product were some of them. It was a totally new experience; it was “learning again how to make an automobile”.

After compilation of the virtually obtained data, what consumers imagined as the ideal automobile began to be defined. It should be an urban vehicle, compact and economical. In terms of sustainability, it should use clean energy and ecological materials. In dealing with information, it should have, at least, cell phone integration, media player, GPS and other gadgets through its own operating system. To complement, touch screen control display, head-up display (HUD) and self-diagnosis.

The diversity of ideas and suggestions obligated Fiat to work on two different fronts in the development of the design of the FCC III. They were called Precision and Sense, precisely for them to be able to give orientation and portray the duality of the suggestions.

Precision was oriented for more exact lines, emphasizing the automobile’s futuristic character. This current opinion had configuration and design closer to the consumer’s understanding. On the other hand, the though line, Sense, observed more organic lines, based on nature, with freer and bold design. Having analyzed both propositions, the direction indicated by internet navigators led to the choice of the line, Precision, which predominates in the concept car present at the Auto Show. But since the two lines were very well accepted, the concept, Sense, was not entirely discarded. So much so that some of its solutions were transferred to the version Precision.

The resulting Precision characterizes externally the model by a clean, functional, almost minimalist design, where the highlight is on account of the large glass-furnished areas, with excellent visibility and intelligent windows that control the incidence of light. The dynamism of the waistline collaborates to extend its profile, and the rear part accentuates its robust impression. At the front part, the sides and headlights form an assembly that creates an image of strength. Customization also includes modularity, which makes alterations of the automobile’s configurations possible. The FCC III, Fiat Mio, has wheels covered by large hubs, in a clear evidence of search for aerodynamic improvement. Lamp and headlights were positioned so as to simplify its forms without, however, compromising its lines.

Its interior also observes a new design experience. Inspired in a lounge, it has architectonic and innovative ambience. Interfaces and gadgets are ergonomically placed and accessible. The seats were inspired in sofas and the steering wheel gained a new format and new functions, becoming a command center. The architecture of its interior obeyed the concepts that provide larger space and comfort to up to two users. Everything was designed for a world where the driver can be simply a passenger and can have the vehicle controlled through intelligent means. The dimensions of Fiat Mio are: 1,560 mm wide, 1,530 mm high and 2,500 mm long.