22.10.2010 SAO PAULO AUTO SHOW BOUND UNO CABRIO CONCEPT OFFERS POINTERS TO THE FUTURE

NEW FIAT UNO CABRIO 2010

NEW FIAT UNO CABRIO 2010

NEW FIAT UNO CABRIO 2010

NEW FIAT UNO CABRIO 2010

To celebrate thirty five years of Fiat in Brazil, an anniversary which comes up next year, at the 26th Salăo do Automóvel de Săo Paulo next week a dramatic concept convertible based around the new Uno will be headlining the brand's line up. Significantly Fiat Automóveis also says that this distinctive new showcar will preview a forthcoming two-door version of the Uno, adding that this flexibility in terms of conception points towards numerous possibilities that an advanced project, like the one of the new Uno, can cater for.

With the removal of the roof, and consequently the rigid section of the body, the Uno Cabrio prototype had to receive reinforcements to various parts of its structure. It was a detailed work developed by Fiat Automóveis engineering, in the sense of avoiding torsional movements of the body that could cause discomfort and unsafeness.

Following the aesthetic proposal that was defined by the project's engineers, the Uno Cabrio has received restyled bumpers at both the front and rear with a completely new visual design, which provides for a more sporty look. The front bumper is characterized by large air intakes and the presence of a pronounced lower spoiler section. The tail lights and brake lights – positioned at the posterior part of the headrests – are illuminated by LEDs, complementing the automobile’s look.

Inspired inside by the choice of a "vintage" theme, the concept has received a series of specific new components, like speaker covers, weather controls, air vents, pedals and a chrome-plated fire extinguisher. Likewise alluding to classic race car models from bygone eras, the steering wheel has three radii, the shift stick knob is metallic and the seats have four-point safety belts which hold the body of the occupants much better in situations of sporty driving.

Still internally, the frame of the dashboard and the central console section of the Uno Cabrio have both been adapted to incorporate new measuring instruments: a turbo pressure gauge, positioned together with the instrument panel, and two gauges for reading the oil and fuel pressure, all located on the central console. All of these have received new text designs.

Moving between the contemporary and the vintage concept, the solution of the interior has been to incorporate sophisticated surfaces and aluminum elements as well as elegant finishes like the new special bicolor leather coverings with stitches and application in matelassé.

The engine chosen to propel the convertible concept is the same one as fitted to the Brazilian-built Punto T-Jet, that is Fiat Powetrain's turbocharged 1.4 16V engine, with 152 hp power, which is capable of carrying it to a maximum speed close to 200 km/h. There is also an improved suspension arrangement for the Uno Cabrio concept and to complete the visual looks, new 17-inch alloy wheels.
 

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