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The Plymouth Expresso was a 1994 compact concept car by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation. Its toy-like appearance (seen on rear-view mirrors, hubcaps, windows, and overall design) may be one of the reasons why it never went into production. However, the Expresso name was used again as a trim package on the Plymouth Neon from 1997-1999, the Plymouth Voyager from 1998-1999, and the Plymouth Breeze from 1998-1999. The Expresso is seen today as the first in a series of concepts that led to the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Source: Wikipedia

With the 1994 Ethos III concept, Pininfarina tried to reinvent the city car. The body is hardly longer than the Fiat Cinquecento, it was possible to fit six seats - two rows of three with a narrower middle seat. Critical to the car's compactness was the Orbital's tiny 1.2-liter three-cylinder two-stroke engine. The lightweight aluminum body helped keep the weight of just 780 kg, which significantly reduced fuel consumption. Source: sovmestimo.org

When it was unveiled at the Mondial de l'Automobile in 1994, the Ion, Peugeot's small electrically-powered MPV, immediately became a favorite of both connoisseurs of high technology and lovers of automobile style. With wheels positioned at the four corners of the chassis, the silent and clean ion is extremely agile and perfectly suited to city center driving and nipping through even the narrowest streets. With its distinctive pale yellow livery and extensive glazed surface that includes the roof, the ion was, as the time of its launch, the fruit of years of research at Peugeot into the development of a mass-produced electric car. The ion was designed specifically for city driving, and in 1994 already offered levels of comfort and options that are rarely equaled even in 2000. No efforts were spared in making life inboard as comfortable and easy as possible, from the remote-controlled ignition to the CD player, hands-free telephone, LCD readouts, and docking station for video games.1994 Peugeot Ion Concept The amusing and modular ambiance of the car is also enhanced by a careful choice of materials and colors. Life on board is so pleasant that drivers and passengers alike prefer to stay in the car rather than get out! One of the challenges that the ion's designers faced was to provide easy access to a vehicle that can be parked just about anywhere, including in the smallest spaces. Deploying their wealth of ideas, the Peugeot engineers developed a unique opening system for the car doors. Úsing inclined hinges, the upper part of the vehicle can be opened with greater ease and at a greater speed than on any conventional vehicle. And the doors can be opened without having to operate any mechanical systems. Simply leaning on a sensitive area in the car's rear wing, which can be lit up in the dark, is enough. So even when their hands are full of shopping, drivers and passengers alike can open the doors with their hips or elbows instead of having to fiddle around with keys and locks. Source: Peugeot

Mercury unveiled the Premys in Detroit for 1994. An amalgam of ”preview” and “mystique.” Turns out there was not much mystery here at all. Except for the flashy purple-people-eater paint job and a gewgaw or two, this was the 1995 Mystique that was soon to be on sale at a Merc store shortly after. Ford’s CDW-27 world car was already being marketed in Europe as the Mondeo. US production began in May of 94′ in Kansas City, Missouri, with a sales launch in mid-summer. Mystique and the Contour were designed to appeal to people who knew about cars and liked to drive them and who may be ready to transition from an import brand into domestic iron. The Premys/Mystique trained its guns on an important part of the high-demographic market, typically families with a two paycheck income. Those buyers were smart and less responsive to pricing considerations than performance needs. Some of the competition staring across the trenches into Mercury’s face, according to insiders, included such popular and credible cars as the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Mazda 626 sedans, and maybe even the Honda Accord. To extract happy owners from these quality cars. Premys/Mystique had to deliver the goods. Whether the car had goods to deliver is impossible to assess, certainly at this point, but the paper was a good one. We all know how it eventually turned out. Source: https://testdrivejunkie.com/1994-mercury-premys-concept/

In 1994, Mercedes-Benz released two roadster visions: the SLK I and SLK II concepts. SLK I Concept SLK II Concept The facts Vehicle 1: SLK I concept When: Spring 1994 Where: Turin Motor Show Vehicle 2: SLK II concept When: Fall 1994 Where: Paris Motor Show What: Sporty roadster with compact dimensions and innovative roof Powertrain: Four-stroke four-cylinder gasoline engine, rear-wheel drive, five-speed manual transmission Ever since the 1950s, the letters "SL" have stood for a very special breed of Mercedes-Benz: sporty ("S"), light ("L") cars which were, for the most part, open-top roadsters. The SL series is now an established part of the range. By 1994 however, the time had come to air a new, compact version of the SL. The SLK concept made its debut in two stages. In spring 1994, it appeared at the Turin Motor Show. Already in near-production form, it still lacked a roof, however. That followed in the second SLK concept, which appeared a few months later at the Paris Motor Show. At the press of a button, the sensational electro-hydraulic "Vario roof" transformed the SLK from a convertible into a winter-proof coupe or vice versa in just 25 seconds. Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer to revive this type of roof, which harked back to an earlier era. When the SLK appeared as a production model in 1996 (R 170), its roof was such a hit that several competitors subsequently brought out versions of their own. The SLK concept took various design cues from its imposing big brother, the SL, producing its variation on the latter's themes of elegance and dynamism. The result was styling that looked to the future while at the same time being firmly rooted in the tradition of the Mercedes-Benz brand. "Styling, which refers to nothing beyond current modernity, would not be Mercedes styling," said Design Chief Bruno Sacco. The face, the short overhangs front and rear, and a pronounced wedge shape emphasized the affinity with the SL and gave an impression of agility. The SLK concept took a tangent in other areas, however, in its compact exterior dimensions and various other highlights. These included the sheathed roll-over bars behind each of the two seats, which harked back to the successful 300 SLR sports car of 1955. A pared-down look can be quite desirable in a roadster, as the interior of the SLK concept attested with an abundance of exposed, gleaming metal surfaces, only twenty percent of which sported any trim or cladding; in the later production SLK, of course, it was a different story. A key design element was a dashboard of very lightweight carbon fiber material which gave the appearance of floating in mid-air. Two stowage nets underneath it continued the minimalist theme, although they were at the same time perfectly practical. The instruments were aluminum-rimmed, as was the ignition lock, positioned in a horizontally swiveling hemisphere. Set in a second aluminum hemisphere in the center console was the short gearshift lever. Minimalism and low weight, these themes, complementary and appropriate in a sports car, were indulged extensively in the SLK concept, down to the perforated aluminum accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals. The second SLK concept exhibited a different interior. Appropriately in light of the venue Paris, the keynote was elegance, with plentiful luxurious leather trim. As on the outside, there was a preponderance of blue. This was a salute to the host country since blue was the traditional color of French racing cars. There was no attempt to be too fashionable, however. "We have to remain true to ourselves," commented designer-in-charge Peter Pfeiffer, "we don't want to pretend to be something we're not, i.e., fashion designers." For the most part, the bodywork of the second SLK concept differed from the first only in minor details. However, it sport exposed roll-over bars and the aforementioned vario roof, which folds down into the trunk at the touch of a button. Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles are normally not only drivable, but they also demonstrate the brand's high safety standards. The SLK concept was a case in point. Its sturdy windshield frame, sturdy roll-over protection, and extremely rigid body structure offered maximum passive safety. Further safety features included full-size airbags in the carbon fiber steering wheel or, for the passenger, the instrument panel, plus belt tensioners. Like all Mercedes cars, the SLK concept was also equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The SLK concept was based on its custom-designed platform. The classic sports car tradition used a five-speed manual transmission to transfer the power from the state-of-the-art four-cylinder four-valve engine to the rear axle. Sheltering behind the new-design five-spoke alloy wheels were vented disc brakes with fixed four-piston calipers. The SLK concept was sporty, light in weight, and inspired the engineers, the marketing staff, and above all, the customers in equal measure. The production vehicle (R 170) appeared on the market in 1996, and by the end of its cycle, in early 2004, 308,000 units had been built. Now the success story is being continued by a new SLK, the R 171. Source: DaimlerChrysler AG Press Release

The1994 Mercedes-Benz MCC (Micro Compact Car) came in two variations: Eco-Sprinter and Eco-Speedster. MCC Eco-Sprinter MCC Eco-Speedster The facts: Vehicle: MCC (Micro Compact Car) When: March 1994 Where: Stuttgart What: Ultra-compact city car Powertrain: Eco-Sprinter: 40 kW electric motor, rear-wheel drive Eco-Speedster: three-cylinder gasoline engine, rear-wheel drive Innovative interior space concept with an exterior length of just 2.50 meters. Underfloor engine and transmission -> introduced 1998 in the smart city-coupe (later name: smart fortwo). Personal mobility has always been at the heart of the Mercedes-Benz vision. Gottlieb Daimler stated as much right from the start. Looking at road transport today, it is clear that Daimler's vision has become firmly established. However, what is also clear is that many towns and cities also have to contend with very heavy volumes of traffic. In the early 1980s, this prompted Mercedes-Benz to design its NAFA concept vehicle for urban and short-distance transport to use the available road space better. Measuring just 2.50 meters in length and 1.50 meters in height and width, this two-seater challenged all the conventional ideas of what a Mercedes stood for. It even had four-wheel steering, which allowed the vehicle to be driven forward into tight parking spaces. Two sliding doors provided convenient access to the interior, even when there was not much room to spare at the side. Further features included front-wheel drive, an automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, and belt tensioners. Although the public soon forgot NAFA, it was not forgotten by Mercedes-Benz, which remained keenly interested in the idea of a compact city car and continued to work on one. This resulted, in 1994, in the unveiling of the compact MCC (Micro Compact Car) concept. "This is a project which combines pro-environmental design, emotion, and intelligence," said Helmut Werner, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz AG at the time. The MCC had its roots in NAFA; the dimensions were largely identical, but it also branched out in new directions. Fuel-efficient engines drove the rear wheels via an automatic transmission, and the concept car was also equipped with air conditioning, power steering, and belt tensioners. The designers reverted to conventional steering and doors; however, the NAFA solutions were optimal, but they would have been too elaborate and expensive for a vehicle of this size for volume production. The two-seater interior is ideal when driving solely around town, where statistics show that the average vehicle occupancy is just 1.2 persons. The exterior length of 2.50 meters might not sound a lot. Still, in the MCC, two people enjoy a sense of spaciousness normally associated with a much larger car, and there's still plenty of room to spare for luggage and other items. On the question of safety, meanwhile, the MCC was a significant improvement over NAFA. To this day, the MCC offers unparalleled safety for a car of this size, allowing Mercedes-Benz to put an end to the prejudice that small cars are unsafe. This is achieved by the compact engine/transmission module's underfloor location, the same principle used in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The MCC was extremely agile and fun to drive, not to mention that it certainly stood out from the crowd. Mercedes-Benz had come up with a clean-sheet exterior and interior design which was innovative, appealing, dynamic, and even somewhat provocative. Two drivable versions of the Micro Compact Car were presented at the public debut in Stuttgart. The "Eco-Sprinter" was a particularly "green" machine. An electric motor delivering 40 kW of power also featured extensive use of high-quality renewable natural materials and recyclable components. The roof was fitted with solar cells, which provided power for the interior fan even when the car was parked. The "Eco-Speedster" meanwhile had a removable roof so that with a few quick and easy adjustments, it could be transformed into an alfresco convertible. With the top-down, safety was ensured by a reinforced windshield frame and an integrated roll-over bar. A three-cylinder gasoline engine powered the Eco-Speedster. The MCC, Mercedes-Benz's vision for a city car, is a vision no longer. By 1998 it had already gone into production as the smart city-coupe, later renamed the smart fortwo. Since then, smart production has reached almost 600,000 units. With the arrival of the roadster, the coupe, and the smart forfour models, smart has already spawned its own model family and become a mature brand. Source: DaimlerChrysler AG

At the 1994 "Family Car" exhibition in Beijing, Mercedes-Benz presented a compact car concept specially developed for the future Chinese market, the "Family Car China" (FCC). The FCC, which was capable of being built in various versions, was part of an integrated motorization strategy for China that Mercedes-Benz presented to the Chinese government. The main features of the FCC concept were its large interior space within compact exterior dimensions, coupled with the highest standards of comfort, quality, and environmental acceptability. "Above all, the FCC offers superior standards of safety, reliability, and adaptability," said Jürgen Hubbert, Board of Management member of the former Mercedes-Benz AG responsible for the Passenger Car Division. The "Family Car China" was radically different from conventional passenger car designs in this class. With its pioneering one-box styling, the body presented an integral appearance similar to that of a modern people carrier. This had practical benefits: the driver, front passenger, and up to three rear-seat passengers enjoyed standards of spaciousness that went well beyond what was previously the norm in the compact segment, putting the FCC on a par with an upper mid-range sedan. Nevertheless, the FCC was shorter than normal compact cars in its class, with an overall length of 3.56 meters and correspondingly modest road space requirements. The Mercedes-Benz FCC concept was equipped with a state-of-the-art 1.3 liter 40 kW (55 hp) gasoline engine with a three-way catalytic converter. This gave the FCC a 0 - 50 km / h time of fewer than six seconds, offering good performance around town, a theoretical top speed of close to 150 km / h, and fuel consumption of approximately four liters per 100 km. Source: www.conceptcars.it Images: DaimlerChrysler.

The 1994 Contempra is not Lincoln’s most famous concept car, and as such, photos and details are few and far between, but it is safe to say that most technical specifications would have been those of the 1995 Continental. Again, notice the clever name chosen by the folks of Dearborn: as Contour became Profile, and as Mystique became Premys, Contempra represented the contemporary interpretation of Continental. It might also have hinted at the engineers’ and product planners’ contemplation of Continental’s role within the Lincoln line-up because the 1995 ninth-generation took a sharp turn upmarket. Upfront, the car sported an integral chrome mask which made for a very modern front fascia. The way the headlights stretched into the fenders and followed into the arch of the wheel wells is not too far from what you find on current full-size sedans – and it is always a good way to hide the front overhang left by front-wheel-drive. The jeweled headlamps were also very modern, and the thin slats of the grille offered a very fresh interpretation of Lincoln’s upright waterfall grille of then. The thin headlights are also highlighted by a stand-alone turn-signal strip, reminiscent of what manufacturers can do nowadays with LED lights. Finally, the hood’s character lines seem sharper than the production version, while the sporty bumper houses jewel-like fog lamps as well as styled air-intakes. Again, this is still very current and shows off much more personality than the production version. Outback, the Contempra paradoxically appears tamer than the production Continental. On the concept, two thin light bars run across the high and bulbous trunk. The visual weight of the rear fascia is not helped by the integral bumper, which is only highlighted by a thin character line where the actual bumper should start and by a set of chromed exhaust pipes. Interestingly enough, there is no Lincoln badging outback and only a very tiny emblem upfront. Other than that, the Contempra uses the 1995 Continental’s sheet metal. On the sides, the only concept-like feature are the door handles, which are absent. As revealed by this newspaper article, Lincoln claimed you could open the doors by tapping the side windows’ glass. Presumably, that would have been a system much like the invisible Keypad entry system used on the current MKS, for instance. Even the wheels are your typical 1990’s chromed fare. Although the same probably cannot be said for the Profile and Premys, the Contempra seems too tidy and real to be a last-minute cover-up of the production car. I would not be surprised at all if the Contempra were one of the final design options for the production car, not retained for the real Continental but close enough of a runner-up that it got its little reveal as a concept car the year before. And while the 1995 Continental looked very proper and stylish, the 1994 Contempra surely seemed sportier and more European-like yet – which is interesting given how the Continental’s mechanicals would have aptly matched that positioning. Source: https://themarkonline.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/contemplations-from-the-90s-1994-lincoln-contempra/ Photos: community.webshots.com/user/paulnh1; www.flickr.com/photos/carphotosbyrichard

Based on the floor pan of the Lexus GS 300 introduced by Toyota in 1991 and with its mechanical configuration unchanged, the Landau is approximately 60 cm shorter. Great interior roominess combined with decidedly compact exterior dimensions to create a high-performing complex deluxe saloon: this was the underlying philosophy behind the Lexus Landau. However, the interior passenger room is not affected but improved by raising the roof by approximately 5 cm due to the repositioning of the tank beneath the rear seats. This achievement added a new chapter to the long process of developing rationalized forms that allowed optimum exploitation of volumes. The name, Landau, refers to a luxury four-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses used in the 19th century. It was named after the German city of Landau, where it was produced. Source: www.italdesign.it

Very little is known about the 1994 I.DE.A Modulaire. Comment below if anything else is known. Images: prautotype.free.fr

Very little is known about the 1994 I.DE.A Manente. Comment below if anything else is known.

For the market launch of the Fiat Punto in 1994, the Fiat group asked I.DE.A Institute to reinterpret the Punto "theme" by building a static model for the Turin Motor Show. The Moncalieri firm responded by revisiting the coupé in relation to the Fiat family feeling. The treatment of the Lampo body highlights the disposition of the volumes of the bonnet and its finely engraved ribbing. The profile of the sides develops round an original window, which precedes the door and joins up with the volumes to the rear, which features long neon lights and virtually no jut. The design is accompanied by dimensions slightly larger than the standard Punto's - 3870 mm in length by 1720 mm in width - while the height drops to 1270 mm. The Lampo too considers the principles of the research carried out on monocoque bodies and presents itself as an alternative to current typologies. The body was designed in pressed aluminum to reduce weight considerably. Source: www.carsfromitaly.net Images: www.idea.institute.it; www.conceptcars.it

The 1994 I.DE.A Gritta was a city car prototype based on the mechanical components of the Fiat "Cinquecento," styled, developed, and built by I.DE.A Institute. Source: www.idea.institute.it

Ford built this wild 1994 Ford PowerStroke Concept Truck to promote their Power Stroke Engine. It was featured on the cover of "American Dream Cars, 60 years of the best Concept Vehicles". It was also featured in Ford Racing' video games. Besides showcasing the brand's forthcoming design language, the Power Stroke housed Ford's upcoming turbo-diesel 7.3-liter V-8 engine, which would soon make its way to production bearing the Power Stroke moniker. Despite its show car status, the Power Stroke concept was surprisingly road-ready. Riding on a modified heavy-duty truck frame and featuring an interior cribbed from an F-Series pickup of the era, the truck's only true "concept car" elements lived on its yellow-painted body. Items such as the truck's wraparound windshield and hidden A-pillars, as well as its integrated rear fender flares (to cover the dual rear wheels), might seem common today, but this was state-of-the-art stuff in 1994. Being the early 1990s, Ford saw fit to equip the Power Stroke with several tacky add-ons that were common at the time. This includes the visor that extends from the roof over the front windshield, diamond-plated running boards, and flying buttresses aft of the cab (replete with integrated auxiliary lights). Thanks to its production-spec interior, the Power Stroke's insides are filled with all the "tech" consumers sought in their pickups in 1994. Items such as an integrated center console, cruise control, and a cassette player are all accounted for. That's right, the Power Stroke's turbo-diesel engine and cassette deck meant it could tow huge loads while simultaneously blasting the latest taped tunes. While the Power Stroke's influence on the styling of the later redesigned F-Series pickups (both full-size and Super Duty models) proved minimal, its ability to fully encompass 1990s' Americana makes this truck one of the great concept cars of its time. Source: hemmings.com Images: Ford

This 1994 Ford Arioso concept was based on the Ford Mondeo first shown at the 1994 Birmingham Auto Show. The design process constantly explores new ways to use existing state-of-the-art products, ways to appeal to new markets, attract attention or meet new needs. Fresh forms and novel attributes bring new customers. Sometimes while creating a new concept, a feature or stylish way of dealing with an old problem will come to mind, and even small innovations can make the exercise worthwhile. The Ghia Arioso concept is a design study for a 4-seat sports coupe on the versatile Ford Mondeo, Contour, and Mystique platform using the 2.6 liter 24-valve V6 powerplant to create a roomy, flexible and attractive vehicle. In the Arioso concept, Ghia has proposed making its aluminum space frame part of the design, taking a structural part of the chassis, and using it, unadorned, as a design element. The Ghia Arioso concept is constructed from modular lightweight carbon fiber body panels that are easily replaceable should a repair be necessary, mounting directly to the aluminum space frame. It also proposes a retractable sunroof and rear window assembly. Mounted in tracks integral with the curved roof, the rear window and sunroof panels would retract into a compartment behind the rear seats. The sunroof itself would also retract separately in Ghia's concept, giving the Ghia Arioso concept a multi-functional utility ranging from a fully open convertible to a fully weather-protected coupe. Its body design is highlighted by the aggressive nose with a split wide oval air intake and ovoid transparent covers over projector-style head and marker lights. The taillights are vivid red slashes high on the edges of the rear deck, with angle-cut dual exhaust pipes projecting through the bodywork. The body is tightly wrapped over the space frame structure and defines the wheel arches for a purposeful appearance. The Ghia Arioso concept is a non-functional platform built of fiberglass with plexiglass glazing. It rides on 250/50 ZR 17 Pirelli P700-Z tires and has a dummy interior with no access through the doors. The paint is poorly applied, with some orange peel and fisheyes, but is sound and is not scratched or worn. Airy, light, the Ghia Arioso concept is just that. Source: https://www.carstyling.ru/ru/car/1994_ford_arioso/ Images: Pal Negyesi

Presented at the 1994 Turin Motor Show is this highly-innovative hybrid sports car. Also, the car was shown by invitation at the EVS 12 symposium on electric vehicles in Los Angeles in 1994 and to the 1995 "Torino Design" touring exhibition. Four identical unit groups, consisting of tires, have been sensitized by a toroidally-shaped band of piezo-resistive elastomer sensors. The essential property of these elastomers is their capacity to generate electric signals indicating the changing shape of the tread in the function of the stresses to which they are subjected. These signals are transmitted to the onboard computer. Newly-designed large-diameter self-ventilating Disc Wheels. Active Suspensions with active camber recovery and virtual ground center. Four-wheel Steering electrically power-assisted. Permanent magneto, asynchronous 8-pole Electric Motors sited lowdown. Stainless steel disc Brakes. The discs are small because they work in tandem with the braking effect of the electric motors and rotate at the same speed. Regarding the carbon-fiber composite Bodywork, the general philosophy of design development was also for an innovative approach. We foresaw a car that was not too low, with a high level of creature comforts and aerodynamics that could be expressed in original looks due to the absence of technically aggressive appendices. The front bumper is easy to remove for accessing the central backbone where the batteries are located and houses air-intakes for cooling brakes and electric motors. The doors open automatically and are operated by a magnetic card that opens them individually when inserted to a different depth. The exhaust gases from the turbine are expelled through fins towards the upper-rear end of the car when driving outside of town, improving slipstream formation and towards the lower-rear end in town. Two fins in the same area move automatically to stabilize the vehicle at high speed by moving the center of lateral thrust rearwards. Source: www.fioravanti.it Images: Fioravanti; Mad4Wheels

The Fiat Zic is a concept car of the Italian brand Fiat presented at the end of 1994 at the Geneva Motor Show, developed by the Centro Ricerche Fiat. The Fiat Zic is an electric car developed and built in just 24 months as the brand's technological showcase. It features a wide variety of innovative elements such as its aluminum frame, polymer floor, aluminum rear suspension, lightweight and resistant alloy seats, power steering, windshield two layers, and batteries of Na / NiCl2. The structure was made with a low-pressure modeling technique, which allows the fusion of the body joints and the aluminum components. New welding processes were used between the frame joints and their bonding to the aluminum materials, the frame, the windshield, and the panels. Source: https://second.wiki/wiki/fiat_zic Photos: autonet.com.vn; www.carsfromitaly.net

The stylistic research on the Fiat Punto theme has produced a two-box static model that combines the features of a saloon and a coupé while suggesting the concept of a car as a vehicle for entertainment and leisure time. A two-door hatchback designed for leisure use, the Pininfarina offering features various 'off-road' inspired touches, including increased ground clearance and lower body protection, while adding a certain sporty aggressiveness of a coupe to appeal to the young target audience. Source: pininfarina spa .; www.carsfromitaly.net; Images: pininfarina spa.

Based on the chassis of the Fiat Punto, Coggiola's Surf was a two-seat concept intended for the younger crowd, specifically those who frequently visit the beach. The Surf's crossover of a car and pick-up truck incorporated unique styling cues, including tinted windows, color-matched wheels, smooth lines, and signal indication lights placed away from the headlights on the car '3/4 angles. Source: www.carsfromitaly.net; Concept Car Central Images: COGGIOLA SpA

A Bertone proposal for a coupé on a Fiat Punto base. Declared target: an Italian Tiger. Bertone intentionally abandoned aggregated styling solutions for this model to make the proposal more realistic and "feasible." In keeping with the research for synergic industrial feasibility, Bertone began the theme from the Punto Cabrio that the Bertone plant was already manufacturing. The idea of ​​working with a single version of the car was inspired by a marketing strategy that had proved particularly successful for Fiat in the 1960s: accompanying the production series model with two derivatives, one open car and one with a coupé body. In line with this concept, Bertone came up with a coupé on Punto Cabrio chassis production, christening it the Racer. In 1966 he had used the same name for the coupé he had created from the 850 Spider. The Fiat Punto Racer was worked from the body structure of the tried and tested Punto Cabrio, and the result is a compact, dynamic coupé. The styling of the bodywork kept away from excessive novelty, which would have meant a redesign of important components. The Racer features a paneled roof and a few other essential elements designed to underline the car's sporting mission in a discreet but forceful way compared to the Cabrio model. Source: Bertone