During the “The Caravan Salon” in Düsseldorf Fiat will introducing the ‘Portofino’ show van based on the innovative Fiorino. The Portofino show van is partly created by Vernagallo-Holiday, a conversion company that specialises in small recreational vehicles and SALT, a body builder that specialises in the tuning and preparation of special and exclusive vehicles.
The ‘Portofino’ is a 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.
The conversion is based on a Fiorino Combi – the entry level people-carrying version of the range – from which the vehicle takes all its winning features: it can accommodate 5 people, for example, in conditions of absolute comfort and safety. Its flexibility is also assured by a 1/3 – 2/3 split rear seat that may be removed to allow very bulky items and tools to be carried. Due to its trim dimensions – approximately 4 metres long and 1.7 metres wide – and turning circle of less than 10 metres, the vehicle can handle itself with equanimity in any situation and place.
Inside, the ‘Portofino’, the seats are upholstered with waterproof fabrics, the flooring takes the form of a special hull trimmed with a wood finish while the original dashboard has been repainted. A covered version will be available at a later stage for protection against sun and rain.
Read Article