mikeyb
02-09-2006, 08:28 AM
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16528.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16527.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16530.jpg http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16529.jpg
Fioravanti to Unveil Punto Pickup/Convertible at Geneva
GENEVA, Switzerland — Italian design studio Fioravanti has built a prototype coupe-convertible based on the new Fiat Grande Punto. The twist? It also converts into a baby pickup truck.
It'll be on display at the Geneva Motor Show, which starts on February 28. The prototype features a metal folding hardtop roof and a fold-down tailgate. Fiat actually is planning to build a Grande Punto cabriolet, but it's unlikely to go so far as to use the edgy Fioravanti design. Instead, the production model might have a traditional canvas top, like the previous Punto cabrio, or it could have a vogueish retractable hard top, like the Peugeot 206 and the Nissan Micra. The concept is really a showcase for Fioravanti's roof technology. The Italian firm supplies folding roofs to manufacturers. One of its clients is Ferrari, for the Superamerica's carbon-fiber roof. Using carbon fiber makes the roof lighter and less bulky than a metal roof. The same material allowed Fioravanti to create the extra trunk space in the Grande Punto to allow for the pickup bed and tailgate.
So what would this market segment be called?
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16527.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16530.jpg http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/16529.jpg
Fioravanti to Unveil Punto Pickup/Convertible at Geneva
GENEVA, Switzerland — Italian design studio Fioravanti has built a prototype coupe-convertible based on the new Fiat Grande Punto. The twist? It also converts into a baby pickup truck.
It'll be on display at the Geneva Motor Show, which starts on February 28. The prototype features a metal folding hardtop roof and a fold-down tailgate. Fiat actually is planning to build a Grande Punto cabriolet, but it's unlikely to go so far as to use the edgy Fioravanti design. Instead, the production model might have a traditional canvas top, like the previous Punto cabrio, or it could have a vogueish retractable hard top, like the Peugeot 206 and the Nissan Micra. The concept is really a showcase for Fioravanti's roof technology. The Italian firm supplies folding roofs to manufacturers. One of its clients is Ferrari, for the Superamerica's carbon-fiber roof. Using carbon fiber makes the roof lighter and less bulky than a metal roof. The same material allowed Fioravanti to create the extra trunk space in the Grande Punto to allow for the pickup bed and tailgate.
So what would this market segment be called?