17.12.2003 FIAT SHOW THE ALVIERO MARTINI INSPIRED BARCHETTA 'PRIMA CLASSE' IN BOLOGNA

Alveiro Martini, a designer famous for his leather goods, has offered his inspiration to the Fiat Barchetta, the resulting creation, called the 'Prima Classe' has been shown on the Fiat Stand at the Bologna Motor Show last week.

This Barchetta reveals changes to the bodywork and interior, and accessories feature leather printed with a map pattern that is a characteristic of this designer.

The collaboration between the two companies from Piedmont underlines the quality, styling and refinement of Italian craftsmanship: something to be proud of and to promote with renewed enthusiasm.

The Geo print becomes a highly distinctive motif and every traveller's dream of having the whole world at his fingertips is materialised in the seat cushions: each one holds a continent and the cut leather creates a planisphere.

The pattern is present on the seats and panels and is repeated on the original panniers, the first created for a sports car. These prototypes were inspired by motorcycle panniers: they are practical and unobtrusive, and can be removed from the car with a simple click, to be used as regular suitcases.

This is the exclusive version on show. In general, the captivating Fiat sports car has new styling inside and out, but its most important qualities, which the public appreciate, remain the same: the excellent performance of the 96 kW (130 bhp) 1.8 16v engine with variable valve timing, for example, a top speed of 200 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.

The line remains very original, and there are significant added details. The front is dominated by a new grille, a large horizontal black 'mouth', that gives the new Fiat Barchetta a more aggressive look, an impression that is underlined by the larger exhaust tail-pipe, the new modern design of the front and rear bumpers, and the foglights that are standard throughout the range.

A number of features on this elegant sports car (the central console, instrument panel, mouldings, air vents and door handles) are the colour of Titanium. The upholstery fabric of the seats and door panels is also new, as is the facia upholstery. This has a special embossed pattern that is pleasant to look at and to touch. And the owner can customise his car both inside, with leather upholstery, and out, choosing from 16" and 15" alloy wheels (available with two different designs).