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With an uncompromised and futuristic sporty exterior, and a showcase of cutting-edge technology under its gullwing door coupe bodywork, Fiat's latest technological wonder comes without a badge. It is this unbranded sportscar study, with which the Fiat Group will compete for the best automotive innovation and technology prize judged by the Spanish STA society (Sociedad de Tecnicos Automoción). The '5th STA Prizes' is being held in conjunction with the Barcelona International Motor Show, which runs from 5-15 May (public days are 7-15 May).
The STA received 87 projects during the period of participation (from 1 June 2003 until 31 January 2005), 63 were accepted, and 26 finalists were selected for the final competition stage at the motor show. Of the recieved projects, 75% were Spanish entries, with 15% stemming from the rest of Europe and the remaining 10% from the United States, India and China.
The concept of the innovative sportscar was developed by Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) and was realised by Spanish prototype builder Mazel Ingenieros, an integral part of the Mazel Group.
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The 2005 CRF sportscar concept displays a 'split frame' chassis, intelligent 'Eye-centre' ergonomics and 'drive-by-wire' technology. The latter has already made an appearance on an Alfa Romeo 147 prototype in September last year |
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Displayed without branding, the Fiat Group concept car is a technological showcase for technologies that will be applied to Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo
models in years to come |
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Mazel was also responsible for the creation of the Lancia Grandturismo Stilnovo prototype for the 2003 Barcelona show, as well as numerous other concept cars including three radical Hispano-Suiza super luxury studies.
The most important features of the new CRF sportscar study are the ‘spilt frame' chassis, a design with a passenger cell compartment separate from the suspension assemblies; a technology which Fiat have christened ‘Occhio-centro' (‘Eye-centre'), which is an automatic system of adjusting the steering wheel, seats and pedals, enabling the driver to always sit in the correct ergonomic position; finally a ‘drive-by-wire' system which steers the wheels through electrical impulses and electro motors rather than through a conventional mechanical setup.
The potential application of these technologies in future years will apply to the high-end models within the Fiat Group: to start with Ferrari and Maserati, and eventually Alfa Romeo.
CRF have already made a functioning drive-by-wire Alfa Romeo 147 protoype (pictured left), which was presented to MIUR (Ministero dell'Intruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca) in September 2004. The final prizegiving of the 5th STA Prizes will take place on May 9th in the Conference Hall of the Fira Barcelona.
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