Fiat Auto UK have created their own special version of the new Fiat Stilo M Schumacher that is fit for the seven times F1 World Champion, with the assistance of Prodrive, the globally acclaimed specialist automotive engineering concern.

The two hundred Stilo M Schumacher special series models which are due to arrive in the UK during early March, will be then shipped up to Prodrive's famous engineering base at Banbury, where the 'hot' hatchback will have its suspension totally redeveloped by their skilled technicians.

The result will see Fiat's potent 'red rocket' endowed with class-leading handling, and make it a direct and worthy competitor to its closest segment rivals, such as the Ford Focus ST170 and Vauxhall Astra SRi Turbo.

The Michael Schumacher Fiat Stilo special series, created to commemorate the German's fifth consecutive F1 World Driver's Championship title with Ferrari, made its 'official' debut at last September's Paris Mondial de l'Automobile after being first seen as the surprise star of numerous initiatives during the week leading up to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 12, 2004. These previews included an appearance at the ‘Solidarity Grand Prix’, a charity football match which involved the F1 drivers, at the prestigious Open Golf Tournament, held at the Royal Monza Golf Club, and at 'Old Fashion' a very trendy Milan club.

Around 3,500 units, all in 3-door format, and all painted 'Ferrari' red, will be produced in total, with 200 of them, all equipped with the powerful 170bhp, 2.4 20-valve 'Abarth' petrol engine, destined for the UK.

This new car has a really exclusive, aggressive look thanks to its special 17in alloy wheels and the tailor-made Zender kit, which comprises of new, beefed-up front and rear bumpers, skirts and a rear spoiler all in the same colour as the body. The special ‘Racing Red’ body colour also contributes to the car’s sporty look, emphasised by the ‘Michael Schumacher’ logo on the rear-section of the skirts, and the hatch, while a plaque located on the facia will indicate the car's number.

This same sporting vocation is confirmed inside the cabin by the competition-style pedal set and heel rest, an exclusive kick plate, as well as leather trim on the steering wheel and gearlever knob.
 

Standard equipment includes window-bags and the ESP system, in addition to a two-zone automatic climatiser, Hi-Fi unit with CD player (including MP3 files) and radio controls on the steering wheel. Lastly, the ‘Michael Schumacher’ special series is also fitted with a very large sky window as standard.

Into this already impressive equation now steps up Prodrive, the high-profile and world-renown, automotive engineering specialists. Best known for the powerful four wheel drive Subaru Impreza rally cars that have been at the forefront of the action in the FIA World Rally Championship for more that a decade, they also built the Ferrari 550 Maranello racers that has so utterly dominated the FIA GT Championship over the couple years. These very evocative cars also claimed a stunning GTS class victory at the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours, a result achieved after they casually swatted aside the challenge from the mighty, factory-backed Chevrolet Corvette squad.

Prodrive have undertaken a unique chassis development programme, and the results, which are believed to be highly impressive, will pitch the Stilo straight to the top of the C-segment performance arena.

This bespoke chassis will offer a new fitted suspension kit which includes all-new specially design springs, dampers and geometry settings. On top of all this, Prodrive's engineers' have designed an all-new, power boosting, stainless steel exhaust system, while the whole car will run on stunning 18-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels, fitted with state-of-the-art 215/40/18 tyres.

Possibly most surprising it the competitive price. Fiat Auto UK envisage that the Stilo M Schumacher in standard trim will have an 'on the road' price of £15,995, while the Prodrive version will cost just £1,000 extra. With Fiat Auto UK estimating the kit as having a retail value of £2,400, this represents very good value, and most of the allocation of cars will be expected to be sold in this higher specification level. With dealers taking orders as from this week, demand is likely to be brisk.