A superb meeting of the great
Italian sports car tradition and the stylistic proposals of the future. This is
the spirit of the new Fiat Barchetta which reinterprets emotions from the
distant past in a modern key.
The car on display in Bologna features a special outfit called 'Prima Classe' by
Alviero Martini, a designer famous for his collections of leather goods and
cases.
This particular version made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show; it
reveals changes to the bodywork and interior, and accessories feature leather
printed with a map pattern that is a characteristic of this designer. The
collaboration between the two companies from Piedmont underlines the quality,
styling and refinement of Italian craftsmanship: something to be proud of and to
promote with renewed enthusiasm.
The Geo print becomes a highly distinctive motif and every traveller's dream of
having the whole world at his fingertips is materialised in the seat cushions:
each one holds a continent and the cut leather creates a planisphere. The
pattern is present on the seats and panels and is repeated on the original
panniers, the first created for a sports car. These prototypes were inspired by
motorcycle panniers: they are practical and unobtrusive, and can be removed from
the car with a simple click, to be used as regular suitcases.
This is the exclusive version on show. In general, the captivating Fiat sports
car has new styling inside and out, but its most important qualities, which the
public appreciate, remain the same: the excellent performance of the 96 kW (130
bhp) 1.8 16v engine with variable valve timing, for example, a top speed of 200
km/h and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.
The line remains very original, and there are significant added details. The
front is dominated by a new grille, a large horizontal black 'mouth', that gives
the new Fiat Barchetta a more aggressive look, an impression that is underlined
by the larger exhaust tail-pipe, the new modern design of the front and rear
bumpers, and the foglights that are standard throughout the range.
On the outside, the new details highlight the dynamic design and sporty line of
the model, while at the wheel you experience the emotions of driving a sports
car, without compromise and without uncertainty, a feeling of absolute freedom.
The merit also goes to the extensive array of safety equipment, ABS, airbags and
foglights, and the sophisticated sound system which includes an RDS/EON radio,
CD and MP3 file player, electric aerial, 4 speakers and a double subwoofer (80
Watt). The latter are positioned behind the seats where they guarantee optimal
reproduction even with the roof open.
A number of features on this elegant sports car (the central console, instrument
panel, mouldings, air vents and door handles) are the colour of Titanium. The
upholstery fabric of the seats and door panels is also new, as is the facia
upholstery. This has a special embossed pattern that is pleasant to look at and
to touch. And the owner can customise his car both inside, with leather
upholstery, and out, choosing from 16" and 15" alloy wheels (available with two
different designs).
The new Fiat Barchetta is a new type of car, one that adapts increasingly to the
customer's tastes, and even anticipates his needs. And this level of
customisation is enhanced by the long list of options. To name just two: 16"
alloy wheels and a hard roof. The latter guarantees the comfort and safety of a
closed car, and refutes the cliché that convertibles are only for the Summer. |
