Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
Celebrating the Art of Italian Coachbuilding
I.DE.A Institute – short for Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering – was founded in Turin, Italy in 1978 by Italian entrepreneur Franco Mantegazza together with famed architect Renzo Piano (designer of the Pompidou Centre). Renzo Piano’s structural engineer partner Peter Rice served as Vice President.
In 1994, following the initiative taken with the Fiat Cinquecento, the Turin-based automaker decided to offer Italy’s most prestigious coachbuilders and design houses the opportunity to reinterpret the newly launched Fiat Punto in their own unique way. This initiative aimed to explore the stylistic and technical potential of the successful compact car, highlighting the versatility of its base design.
The Fiat Bravo Concept cars, unveiled in 1996, showcased the creative prowess of Italian coachbuilders invited by Fiat to reinterpret their new model. Following the tradition set by previous Fiat designs like the Cinquecento and Punto, the Turin Motor Show served as a vibrant platform for these innovations. Out of 25 concept cars debuting at the event, 17 were based on the new Fiat models. Among these, ten were ‘official’ Fiat-sponsored concepts displayed as a group, while seven represented independent, unofficial interpretations by various coachbuilders.
At the 1992 Turin Motor Show, Fiat unveiled a series of concept cars designed by famous Italian coachbuilders to celebrate the arrival of the small Cinquecento on the market.
