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Coupé Fiat - 1990
At the beginning of the nineties – Fiat was repositioning. Almost the whole array of products was to be renewed and refreshed. In the eighties aspects like efficiency had made the most significant progress in automobile development. Cars had become more and more sober and monotonous. Now the focus was on emotion, dynamism, passion and emotion. The engineers from Turin were demonstrating that they had nothing to learn and the Coupé Fiat was on its way. In 1990 the development of the Coupé Fiat started. Paola Cantarella, recently named head of Fiat automotive division, assigns this job to two teams. The Centro Stilo, the design department which belongs to the company, and Pininfarina. Both of them are working on different configuration concepts. Chris Bangle, under contract with Fiat from 1985 to 1992 and one of the leading designers, produces first extreme but trend-setting drafts for Centro Stile. Striking details like the corrugation on top of the wheel housing or the characteristic head-light covers are already apparent. |
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| drafts by Chris Bangle 1990 | Centro Stile |
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| Nevio de Giusto, head of Centro Stile Fiat (on the right) and chief-designer Peter Barret Davis | Chris Bangle | Sergio Pininfarina | Paolo Cantarella |
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Under the management of Nevio de Giusto, drawings were worked out, modified and fine tuned. Modern, suspension shapes were combined with classical illustrations from the past, like the polished alloy filler cap. Old ideas were given modern interpretations. Striking shape was language also at the back. It appeared extremly simple with its blank face and the reminder of the Fiat Dino Spyder rear lights. No unnecessary gimmicks but character. |
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1:1 studies of CENTRO STILE:
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studies of PININFARINA:
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On Lancia Delta Integrale wheels
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Two different back variations (right picture)
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| The first study of the Centro Stile is close to Bangles sketch. At the second study two different variations of the back have been at issue. The drafts of Pininfarina appear rather classical and a bit apologetically intense, resemblance to the later Peugeot 406 Coupé (Debut in 1996) cannot be denied. |
| At last Cantarella succeeded in persuading the Fiat managing board of the essentially emotive version of Centro Stile, despite their initial scepticism. |
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| Pininfarina was responsible for the excellent interior design which picks up elements of the past again: a body colour coated dashboard with four round instruments is the essential element. The indicator lamps for airbag, fog lights etc. are placed inconspicuously in a black strip beneath the classic instruments. This extravagant styling was finally pursued into the perfect matching design-key made from aluminium. The public premiere of the Coupé Fiat took place in December 1993, at the Bologna Motor Show |
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| Interieur Centro Stile | Pininfarina |
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The complete development team. With black suit (in the middle): De Giusto and Davis
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| On early catalogue photos the name plate (B-pillar) was mounted deeper. |
Bologna Motor Show |
| This is how the german car press conceived the new Fiat model: |
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| Auto Motor und Sport 1992 | Auto Bild 1992 |
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