DESIGN

Nature and the built-up environment, agility and space, technology and intuitiveness, rationalism and emotion.

All these pairs are apparently irreconcilable, yet the Fiat Idea succeeds in striking the right balance between opposites. Admittedly, a whole host of smart ideas and technologies underpin the effortless drive. But nothing can detract from the best thing about the car, i.e. original and innovative design. Inside and out, the car weds ultra sophisticated technology with clean, intuitive good-looks, like all shapes based on nature.

One example says it all: the central kernel (passenger compartment and power unit) that represents the hi-tech core of this car is clad in a sharp, harmonious body that could have been moulded by the wind itself. The Fiat Idea is thus a natural, aerodynamic car that is at one with its surroundings. This is borne out by the ideal balance between metal and the extensive glass area, and also the three side lines that act as decorative elements but also help reinforce the body. The most significant aspect of the Fiat Idea's design is thus harmony of form and volume combined with the most advanced architecture.

The Fiat Idea is primarily striking for its great stylistic coherence, for all its details are perfectly integrated and its surfaces are treated in a linear manner. The most striking feature of the Fiat Idea is its harmony of form. Its other great attraction is its small size: it is just under four metres long, 1.70 metres wide and 1.66 metres high.

Our stylists were given the brief of coming up with a line that strongly typifies the model to give it that unmistakeable Fiat look. The Fiat Style Centre designers decided to go for taut, clean lines and architectural shapes with a strong Italian flavour to make the Fiat Idea immediately recognisable and give it its own pronounced personality.

The result was a strong, spare front dominated by Fiat motifs, i.e. a round shield on a honeycomb pattern grille. Other features include high-tech looking horizontal headlights that combine a slight aggressive edge with great elegance of form.

More specifically, the grille consists of a 3-D chrome frame and a grid with round holes for a hi-tech look. Horizontal chrome friezes supporting the central logo add a touch of class. On the lower part of the front, the bumpers spread sideways (like the three-sectioned air intake) and blend into the rest of the car.

The same stylistic consistency and harmony return at the rear. The tall, upright tail-lights are also sophisticated in appearance and enclose a generous tailgate where metal and glass find a well-judged balance.

The tailgate is a consistent complement to the oceans of glass on a body that ensures passengers a continuous view in all circumstances. The volumetric wheel layout (located outside the body) and integral bumpers increase the sensation of extreme stability generated by the Fiat Idea. The car looks as though it is glued to the ground.

The rear view offers the same impression and clearly reveals the car's out-and-out MPV mission. The most outstanding feature remains, however, the combination of extremely clean lines and stylish surfaces. The end result is unique, harmonious good looks with all the lines converging on the front to create an effect of great dynamism.

Harmonious, rational interiors

The Fiat Idea exterior reveals an innovative, sophisticated design, where exterior simplicity and balance point to a new way of inhabiting a car - and the interior confirms the same stylistic promise.

Despite its neat size, the car offers a roomy, versatile passenger compartment with all aesthetic and technical details finished to the highest standard. For example, the sophisticated, well-proportioned design of the cabinetwork and trim weds ergonomic excellence, acoustic comfort and climate control. The result is an ideal environment for travelling in relaxing comfort at all times.

For example, the superior facia with its soft, pliant top (as on a higher segment car) runs smoothly from pillar to pillar. This attractive solution made it possible to create an appealing lip in the middle that incorporates the original-looking instrument cluster. The instruments offer the driver maximum information visibility and legibility under all conditions with no reflections or distortions at any time. According to the specification, the control panel may contain a speedometer and rev counter, fuel level gauge and coolant temperature gauge. The mileometer and trip counter, clock and headlight alignment control are shown on a multifunctional display.

The central console, designed to be practical and user-friendly, extends toward the passenger compartment to bring the gearbox (in the middle of the facia), telematic controls and climate control system controls within easy reach of the driver.

The new model complements all this ease of driving with masses of space: two roomy closed compartments on the facia and in the middle of the double DIN compartment; big pouches on the door panels (marked by a soft cloth-trimmed central insert); a compartment on the ceiling; a roomy console between the front seats (whose backrests are equipped with practical fold-down tables) - and a host of storage compartments all over the place.

Altogether, the Fiat Idea passenger compartment has the look of a practical, modern interior designed to ensure driver and passengers alike an extremely comfortable drive.

This wellbeing is aided by five seats that are all comfortable, user-friendly and safe. The seats were produced in accordance with principles developed by Prof. Dal Monte, head of the Biomechanics Department at the CONI Sport Medicine Institute and represent a factor of primary importance when it comes to comfort and safety. This specific part must absorb kinetic energy acquired by the body due to the effect of cornering stresses and also accelerating and decelerating. With a few quick movements, the seats on the Fiat Idea can assume different configurations, including an unusual couchette position. In this case, the front seats are folded forward to form a platform while the rear seat backrest is reclined by more than 45 degrees. The Fiat Idea interior can be changed to meet different requirements due to its folding front seat and two rear seats that slide forward and backward and can be reclined independently.

All things considered, the Fiat Idea represents a new way of inhabiting a car because it is designed to adapt to the changing personal circumstances of individual customers. It was created to satisfy people who plan to go far, who were born for great things: a family, a job or simply a dream come true. The Fiat Idea is all this.