One result of the fruitful collaboration between Fiat and Dainese will be on show at the Bologna Motor Show: an original 2-seater concept car with three doors. It is called the Panda Tanker and it was created on the floorpan of the petrol-engined Panda 4x4 by ‘Change Design’ for Dainese, in collaboration with the Fiat Style Centre. It is a car that is perfect for anyone who engages in any type of sport, because of the organised interior space, which is versatile and shows the Dainese imprint in terms of design principles and high-tech contains in every detail of the interior design.

On the outside, the Panda Tanker maintains its usual shape, but the bodywork is a ‘naked’ satin-effect matte grey, with contrasting trims that are both technical and decorative, being made of titanium fibre. What is more, structural guards and three-dimensional oxidised titanium styling trims underline the beauty of the car as well as a rich, iridescent finishing effect, combined with a sense of enhanced protection and sturdiness.

Inside, the sporty seats have a rigid titanium fibre shell containing hydro-pack and reflect the Dainese imprint in both the technical fabrics used (Stone and Kevlar) and the type of make-up. The ‘naked’ concept continues inside the car, where everything is extremely essential but functional, with every attention dedicated to the finish and to making the most of the organised rear space. The one-piece loading floor lets you load even large objects or sports equipment, anchoring them with elastic straps mounted on a tubular aluminium structure that folds away completely. There are a number of containers fitted in the luggage compartment to hold oddments, materials and liquids, while the variable density foamed side panels contain Dainese accessories for a wide range of uses.

Next to the Panda Tanker, an important place has been reserved for the versatile Fiat Sedici which, together with the Panda 4x4, marks Fiat’s return to the off-road segment, with the precise goal of offering everyone the entertainment and safety that only four-wheel drive can give. The car on show in Bologna has the Emotion specification, with chromed roof-top bars, 16” alloy wheels and a chromed exhaust terminal. It is powered with the 120 bhp 1.9 Multijet engine, and has black metallic paintwork, dark windows, and heated, leather upholstered seats (Hide).

The model represents a quality leap in the compact SUV class, because it reconciles apparently contrasting features: roominess and compact dimensions, the handling of a saloon with the off-road qualities of an SUV, an extremely practical interior design and original exterior styling (born out of the Fiat-Suzuki industrial cooperation agreement, Fiat developed the styling of the Sedici with Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign). As a result, the Fiat Sedici is the ideal answer for a modern customer who lives in a society where technology has accustomed him to expect things to have a ‘multifunction’ value. For this reason, the car becomes very versatile, adapting to a wide range of different activities: from work to relaxation, culture and leisure time.

The new model is available with two specifications (Dynamic and Emotion) and two engines (107 bhp 1.6 16v and 120 bhp 1.9 Multijet), and it stands out for its amazing versatility and handling which also make it perfect for everyday use: it is 411 cm long, 176 cm wide and 162 cm high, with a wheelbase of 250 cm. The new Fiat model also allows customers to enjoy their free time, in particular those who love nature and want to satisfy their love of adventure and a challenge - thanks to its ‘all-terrain’ look and its adaptable four-wheel drive transmission which lets the driver choose when to change from 4x2 to 4x4, thus achieving lower fuel consumption than other off-roaders in this category.

SOURCE: Fiat