Fiat Opens Up Is Latina Lovely

Is this the car that will steer Fiat back into the coupé market? The stunning machine has been developed by some of the firm's research team, and offers plenty of futuristic technology.

Auto Express Car Reviews

17th May 2005

Following the Punto-based X1/99 concept seen at March's Geneva Motor Show, the new two-door signals Fiat's intent to corner the sports car market again. Along with its eye-catching body, the coup΃© - dubbed the Sportiva Latina - is a launch pad for some advanced electronic systems.

It's fitted with steer-by-wire, which removes the physical link between the steering and front wheels. Current EU laws mean such a system is illegal on a production model, but Fiat is trialling the set-up to give itself a head start should they change.

The car seen here is also a test bed for an eye-level recognition unit that automatically moves all the instruments into an ideal position for drivers of different heights. Fiat has a working prototype fitted to an Alfa Romeo 147, and claims it could bring the technology to showrooms within six years.