The Portofino Show Van will be unveiled by Fiat Professional at the Caravan Salon due to be held in Dusseldorf from 29 August to 7 September 2008.

The new  ‘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.

"It is a specific interpretation of a model that was originally designed for ease of conversion by body builders. "

The ‘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.

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.

Outside, the open-topped body benefits from the original body’s natural configuration with markings and grooves on the side that convincingly support the new vehicle silhouette.

The passenger compartment doors have also disappeared though the rear swing doors keep their original hinge arrangement to enable them to contain the generous load compartment effectively.

The windscreen is original while the rollbar-like central ring, typical of a sporty off-road vehicle, gives the show van a decided appearance of sturdiness and dynamism (while also ensuring sufficient stiffness, in conjunction with the substantial reinforcements around the side member and rear).

Inside, the ‘Portofino’ wastes no time in setting out its mission statement. It looks for all the world like an open-air sitting room with a nautical flavour, with lashings of innovative flair. The seats are upholstered with lively, sophisticated fabrics; natural fibres treated using a special waterproofing process.

The interior flooring takes the form of a special hull trimmed with a wood finish while the original dashboard has been repainted to reflect the overall light-filled, sophisticated look of the internal finish.  A covered version will be available at a later stage for protection against sun and rain.

The interplay of colours is a sight to behold: earth tones on the inside and sun tones on the outside. This original, bold combination gives the show van a uplifting and sophisticated look.

Special contrasting colours on the sides (anthracite and orange) are also repeated on the front bumpers and rear doors, to create a play of colours that reflects the same colour combination as the interiors.

"The reference to the exclusive seaside resort of Portofino is clear: a heady blend of style, colour, exclusivity and holidays – all in the very best of Italian taste."

(Source: Fiat)