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Not the Fiat you're used to

If you thought Fiat only made small cars prepare to be shocked by the Oltre Fiat revealed at Italy's biggest motoring event, the Bologna Motor Show. 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" and what anyone on the West Coast of the USA would call serious Bling, is evidence that Fiat wants to supply Arnold Schwarzenegger's next car.

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 - loosely translated as the Fiat 'Extreme' - 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. The Crew-Cab version (long cab with an open platform) balances the feeling of dominating the terrain from inside the cab with the Spartan personality of a pure expedition Pick-up. The tubular structure above the cab enhances the solidity of the whole vehicle, which has a rollover bar inside the cab. There is also an adjustable sunshade at the top of the windscreen, a typical design feature for vehicles used for desert crossings.

The Oltre-Fiat - as a predominantly military model - has permanent 4x4 transmission that allows it to tackle any situation or route and 50 cm ground clearance, along with a highly efficient independent suspension system with coil springs and coaxial dampers.The all-wheel drive is engaged automatically when it is needed and all three differentials lock, a system that gives optimal wheel grip in all conditions.

As a result 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 is suitable for a wide range of uses; 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 3700 rpm, and peak torque of 456 Nm at 1800 rpm. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine gives this extraordinary vehicle a top speed of over 130 km/h.

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 will a salesman ready to sell you one. Well, the original vehicle is a highly successful military vehicle that will be seen around the world in battlefields and it would not be the first time vehicle has moved from battlefield to fashion accessory.

© italiancar.com.au 15/12/05