5th December, 2005
So you thought Fiat only made small cars that are an essential part of any
image of a European city, especially one sitting by the Mediterranean?
Prepare to be shocked by the Oltre Fiat which was revealed at Italy's biggest
motoring event, the Bologna Motor Show, over the weekend.
This massive - its nearly five metres long and over two metres tall with a
two tonne payload - go absolutely anywhere, anytime vehicle features what
the Italians call "exuberant styling".
It is based on the Iveco Light Multi-role vehicle, the new military
off-road vehicle that embodies cutting edge technical features and has won
the FCLV (Future Command and Liaison Vehicle) contract for the British
Army, also being chosen by the Italian Army.
The Oltre Fiat goes beyond generous external dimensions: it is 4,870 mm
long, 2,050 mm tall, 2,200 mm wide and has a wheelbase of 3,230 mm. Its
styling is developed around a silhouette with straight wheelarches that cut
across the uncluttered sides. The door handles have been recessed
deliberately, so that they do not constitute an obstacle when driving
off-road. In other words, the design concept underlines the car's practical
personality, which is taken to an extreme by the vehicle's real
performance.
The Crew-Cab version (long cab with an open platform) achieves a perfect
balance between the feeling of dominating the terrain from inside the
comfortable cab, and the spartan personality of a pure expedition truck.
The tubular structure above the cab enhances the solidity of the whole
vehicle, focusing attention on the presence of a complete rollover bar
inside the cab. And finally, the adjustable sunshade at the top of the
windscreen increases the dynamism of the roof, and provides the typical
structure of vehicles used for desert crossings.
The Oltre-Fiat clearly embodies power and solidity, having inherited all
the features peculiar to the military model, starting from the permanent
4x4 transmission that allows it to tackle any situation or route. The merit
also goes to the generous 50 cm ground clearance, and the highly efficient
independent suspension system with coil springs and coaxial dampers.
The vehicle's extraordinary capacity as an "explorer" is also enhanced by
the fact that all-wheel drive is engaged automatically when it is needed.
All three differentials lock, a system that guarantees optimal wheel grip
in all conditions.
Thanks to these solutions, the Oltre Fiat can negotiate a lateral gradient
of up to 40%, and longitudinal gradients of 80%; it can also tackle fords
of up to 85 cm, and this can be increased to 1.5 metres by mounting special
inlet and exhaust pipe extensions. And finally, the show car is fitted with
high performance, ultra sporty (V speed code), low profile Pirelli Scorpion
Zero Asimmetrico 315/40R26 XL (Extra load) tyres.
The vehicle on show in Bologna can therefore perform a wide range of
functions; it is equipped with an Iveco F1C Common rail diesel engine, with
a variable geometry turbo and intercooler. The 3.0 litre engine has four
cylinders in line and delivers a maximum power output of 136 kW (185 bhp)
at 3,700 rpm, and peak torque of 456 Nm at 1,800 rpm. Combined with a
six-speed automatic transmission, the engine gives this extraordinary
vehicle a top speed of over 130 km/h.
And finally, the Oltre-Fiat show car weighs about seven tonnes, ready for
the road and exploiting all its load capacity. It can seat four or five
people, depending on the interior outfit, with an overall payload of about
three tonnes.
Of course, the obvious question is, will you ever be able to walk into Fiat
dealer and see it towering over the Fiat Panda and Punto with a sales assistant
ready to sell one? Well, the original vehicle is a highly successful
military vehicle that will be seen around the world in military service and it
would not be the first time vehicle has moved from military service to fashion
accessory, as evidenced by the highly successful Hummer. But the Next Car
team isn't expecting it to be sold commercially and certainly not in Australia.
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