03.12.2003 FIAT AT THE 28TH BOLOGNA MOTOR SHOW

Music, sea and sand: the Summer comes six months early on the attractive Fiat stand at the Bologna Motor Show. 'The Summer is back' is the leitmotiv that runs through an exhibition area full of enveloping sound and warm colours, where Italian design creates a really unique setting. Steps and slides that divide the exhibition area, which is arranged on different levels and painted in different colours. The walls offer dream panoramas with the sea in the foreground while the floors are painted with metallescent lacquer. And the platforms on which the cars are exhibited are made of steel-glass and lit from below.

In other words, the architectural elements all combine to create a magical atmosphere, one of entertainment and an absence of cares: it is difficult not to respond to it. Fiat's choice will certainly appeal to the younger audience which has always been the protagonist at the Bologna show. For them, Fiat has decided to create a stand 'experience', where they can meet friends, listen to music, play and find out about the cars on offer.

In particular, the areas where the Panda and Idea are displayed are beaches with sand, umbrellas, deckchairs and palm trees. But that is not all. The areas are bordered by strips of 'liquiland' to represent the sea: if you walk over them, you can see your footprint spread thanks to the oily material this innovative floor is made of.

This is the context Fiat has chosen to show off its entire range, starting with the latest arrivals: the new Panda and the Fiat Idea. All eyes will obviously be on the first, the supermini which was recently voted 'Car of the Year 2004' and 'European Car 2004'. And next to the queen of the stand is the Idea. This is an important model with which Fiat shows its determination to play a leading role in a new and constantly growing subsegment, that of the compact MPV.

Both cars are the fruit of the spirit of the 'New Fiat'. The goal is to allow Fiat to restate its traditional strong points, in a modern key of course. Like its great design capability in the compact segments, which is embodied here in the new Panda and the Fiat Idea, but also in the new 1.3 16v Multijet engine and the new Fiat Punto, heir to a successful model that has passed the 5 million mark. But this is Fiat's mission; it is an Italian brand that wants to produce cars that are beautiful to look at, practical and accessible to everyone. Cars that propose creative, intelligent solutions which can raise the quality of our everyday life.

First of all, the new Panda, the most advanced offering in the city car segment; it is a compact car that is both comfortable and spacious, perfect for town traffic, but quite capable of tackling even much longer journeys. The public in Bologna can admire five versions, all 'dressed' in brilliant, youthful colours. Three of these stand out for their originality and styling: a new 4x4, a sporty version, and finally, an extrovert SUV. They are the best example of how the Panda family will develop in future.

The stand also hosts a Panda 1.2 equipped with the Dualogic gearbox, a technological gem that makes driving even easier, particularly in town (on the market from January 2004).

The stand would not be complete without the Fiat Idea. Visitors will see five versions of this original model, which represents a new approach to the car, because it combines two very different motoring concepts: the handling and size of a compact car (it is just under four metres long, 1.7 metres wide and 1.66 metres high), and the modularity and versatility of an MPV proper.

A new Panda and an Idea are displayed in two large cylinders, both lined with mirrors to create a curious kaleidoscopic effect.

From the 'Summer' world of the Panda and Idea to that of the new Fiat Stilo. The second focal point of the stand is an area reserved for the 2004 version of the medium sized compact, in a fresh, dynamic ambience that reflects the spirit of the model itself. The Stilo M.Y. 04 will be on the market in January, with a few styling changes, and two new engines: the sparkling 95 bhp 1.4 16v and the powerful 140 bhp 1.9 Multijet.

There is also room for the new Punto. A car with a strong personality, innovative equipment, and unique engines and gearboxes. The cars displayed are all three-door models: one equipped with the 1.4 16v engine and Sporting outfit, the second with the 100 bhp 1.9 Multijet engine, and the third with the 1.8 16v engine. And the stand also hosts the Punto Abarth Rally, which Paolo Andreucci took to victory in the Italian Super 1600 Rally Championship.

Another area of the Fiat stand is dedicated to racing, with a Stilo Abarth that competed in the Trophy of the same name, and a 170 bhp Stilo Abarth 2.4 20v with a five speed manual gearbox (the alternative to the same version equipped with the Selespeed gearbox until now) and a very distinctive outfit. And for extra effect, another Abarth 'races' along a 'road' of illuminated LEDs on a side wall of the stand.

At the Motor Show, Fiat also presents the latest results of its ongoing commitment to respond to all motorists' needs. A commitment which translates into the offer of numerous new products, whether new models or variations and improvements to the existing range. It is a vibrant context, reflected in the two production models present on the stand.

The first is the new Fiat Barchetta, in a special 'Prima Classe' outfit by Alviero Martini, a designer famous for leather goods and cases, and the second is a Fiat Doblò 1.9 JTD Malibù, a captivating, non-conformist version that is very popular with the public.

The Fiat stand has a fresh, youthful environment, a stage setting of bright colours, modern furnishings and shiny metal. It also includes a number of customer points set up with Bacardi, where visitors can receive gadgets and informative material, and which reflect the bubbly spirit and Italian design of the whole stand.

There are also large LED screens, showing films that highlight the dynamic spirit of the various models. And there are computers where visitors can play with the Microsoft XBox platform, while other Internet points access the new Fiat-Link site, the innovative computer system currently dedicated to the Fiat Network, which will soon be extended to the Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Light commercial vehicles networks.

Visitors can also simulate a purchasing quote on the same computers, using the 'Fiat for you' program, a new package of services that accompanies the customer for five years.

And finally, outside the exhibition area there will be numerous hours of entertainment, enjoyment and of course competition, as you would expect at a celebration of engines which the Bologna Motor Show traditionally is. There is an 'off-road' circuit for the Panda 4x4, with different road surfaces and obstacles typical of this type of race. This special track was created with the Italian Off-road Federation, to allow people to discover the car's off-road qualities. The cars used for this exciting display are two Panda 4x4 Multijets, driven by expert test drivers.

The second attraction is held at the 'Bettega memorial' track, where the public can watch a display by two Stilo Abarth GT 2.4 20V's or experience the same emotions themselves beside a driver.