500 days to the Fiat 500

The “500 wants you” project is an online laboratory, where users discover the stylistic concept of the new car, express their preferences, propose ideas and contribute to its creation, in a combined, active way.

The www.fiat500.com site will be open to the public’s contributions and expectations, which will be assessed and possibly used during the actual development of the product.

The website is defined as a creative space and includes several sections:

• Homepage redesign: here web designers can create a new homepage for the fiat500.com website.

• 500-ology: the purpose of this section is to create an online encyclopaedia of stories and pictures dedicated to the Fiat 500, written jointly with the public.

• Concept Lab: here people can configure and add accessories to the new Fiat 500. It is also possible to send suggestions for new design options. Once finished, new projects can be published under the author’s name and then viewed and modified by the public.

• Design Contest: this is the most interesting part. Issued in partnership with Designboom, this contest is open to professionals, students and design amateurs from all over the world.

It is divided in three sections: Accessories, Lifestyle and Places, all connected to the Fiat 500 world. The first prize for each theme will be 5,000.00 Euro.

2004 Fiat Trepiuno Concept Submissions will be judged by an international jury made up of personalities from the design, fashion and automotive industries and a selection of the best works will be published by Designboom. The contest ends in September 2006.

The “www.fiat500.com” site is a case of work in progress, which will welcome new content, activities and initiatives, according to a plan that envisages several updates during the 500 days that precede the launch of the new car, and which will gradually be introduced over the coming months.

For what concerns the design of the new car, at the mooment it seems very close to the Fiat Trepiuno Concept unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.

A screenshot from the Fiat500.com website

“For the first time in the history of our company, and perhaps of the motor industry as a whole, a car will be created with the public and for the public,” explained Luca De Meo, Brand & Commercial Manager for Fiat.

(Source: Fiat)