At the 4th edition of the El Salón del Automóvil Buenos Aires last month, Fiat presented a stand of strong visual impact that occupied a space of more than 1,000 square meters, and proposed a modern and simple aspect which was dominated by the colour white, as to emphasise clearly further the design of the models exposed.

Its upbeat display was headlined by the Argentinean debut of the Bravo and Panda Cross models as well as the appearance of the statuesque FCC concept off-road coupé. Fiat's presence at the show comes in the same month as the Italian car maker announced that production will recommence at its mothballed Córdoba plant, starting with the Siena saloon next January. This will be followed by a pick-up, to be jointly built with Indian partner Tata Motors, while transmission production at the plant on behalf of Peugeot-Citroen PSA is also getting underway.

The stand in Buenos Aires closely referred to certain architectural guidelines which have identified the brand in the recent past motor shows of Europe. The proposal, is a manifestation of the best tradition of Italian design, and of a brand that for more than 100 years has created cars with personality, beauty and capable of ensuring a better quality of life. In this suggestive scenery, the public could discover that Fiat’s products today represent the most sophisticated technology, the best Italian design and the great respect for the environment, and at the stand to testify to the vitality of Fiat in the present era was the new Bravo.

Recently introduced in Europe and being shown for the first time in Argentina, the new C-segment Bravo hatchback presented a perfect balance between beauty and substance, the new 5-door model marking a major step forward in the path of modernisation of the range of products of the brand. The Bravo was undoubtedly one of of the biggest stars of this fourth edition of the Buenos Aires Motor Show, attracting huge interest from the large crowds. Two examples were on show including one mounted at the centre of the display on a large turntable.

The most recent Fiat launch in the Argentinean market was the new Palio 2008, and it was present at the stand, the model strongly reflecting the continuing evolution of a successful range of products and also incorporating the new family feeling of the brand in its new design.
 

The 'sporty' new Palio 1.8 R version took up a central position on the spacious stand, displayed in between the two exciting Bravo models, and in a line with the second national debuting Fiat model to be at the El Salón del Automóvil Buenos Aires, the 'off road' Panda Cross.

The Panda Cross, an emblematic version of a success A-segment model, was another one of the biggest attractions of the Argentinean event; with a great personality, and a strong and attractive appearance, it is another example of Fiat’s capacity to produce cars that can keep hold of the public's attention and be relevant to the automotive needs of modern society.

The Fiat Concept Car Adventure (FCC) is an interesting exercise of design, it offers a look at a proposal for a sporty 'off road coupé, and it was shown in pride of place on a large turntable in the space on the stand devoted to the 'rugged' Adventure family, with their individual versions of Palio, Idea and Strada models. The FCC was entirely developed by the Engineering Design Center of the Fiat Group in Latin America, which has its headquarters in Brazil. The exhibition of products was completed with the Siena Class and Siena Tetrafuel, new luxury and multi fuel versions (powered by gas, petrol, alcohol and a mixture of petrol and alcohol in any proportion) that demonstrate the versatility and technological development of both the Siena model and of Fiat in Latin America.

Finally Alfa Romeo were also present on a section of the Fiat stand reserved for the 'sporty' brand from the Fiat Group Automobiles stable. The Brera sports car (in silver) and the convertible Spider (in red) were both on show, and these stylish, desirable cars gave a real glimpse of Alfa Romeo's bright future. In South America the re-launch of the famous brand has lagged behind Europe so far, but Alfa Romeo's re-emergence as an important force in the sports/luxury market segment cannot be far away.

by Claudio Perlini