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Fiat Portofino Concept
The Caravan Salon
due to be held in Dusseldorf from 29 August to 7 September 2008 has been a
leading date in the recreational vehicle show calendar for many years.
Fiat Professional plans to mark the event by introducing the original Fiat
Portofino show van based on the innovative Fiat Fiorino, the smallest
model in the range.
The new Fiat Portofino show van, an original and explicit hymn to freedom
of movement, came about in a manner very typical of the Camper sector:
i.e. partly through the initiative of Vernagallo-Holiday, a conversion
company that specialises in small recreational vehicles - and partly
through a joint venture with SALT, a body builder that specialises in the
tuning and preparation of special and exclusive vehicles. These are the
ingredients of the Fiat Portofino, an authentic show van that is not
simply an exercise in styling but a specific interpretation of a model
that was originally designed for ease of conversion by body builders.
The Fiat Portofino is a contemporary twist on the legendary beach buggy,
the open-topped cars that were built onto some small Fiat models by a few
imaginative Italian bodybuilders in the 1960s. At this particular point in
the past, cars were not seen as badges of wealth - and luxury was a
lifestyle. The roots of the Fiat Portofino show van lie in this particular
tradition of Italian styling and exclusivity.
The latest addition to the Fiat Professional range is also a useful and
practical vehicle, exactly as you would expect of a recreational vehicle
for holiday and leisure use. Hence Fiat's decision to choose the
recreational vehicle motor shows (2008/09 season) as an international
stage for the Fiat Portofino show van world premiere. This is undoubtedly
an unusual choice for a car-maker that would normally tend to concentrate
on corporate advertising at this type of event. The decision to showcase
Fiat Professional confirms Fiat's commitment to this market and its
consistent interest in recreational vehicle shows where visitors can revel
in the idea of freedom, entertainment and unique lifestyle choices.
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