Car Moon

The Qubo is the production version of Fiat’s Geneva Show Fiorino MPV and although sales have already started in several European markets including France, Spain, Italy and Poland, the Italian automaker just decided to release the full image gallery of its alternative minivan. The Qubo features two sliding rear side doors and a practicable interior that can fit up to five passengers and 330 liters worth of luggage (up to the parcel rack) and 650 liters if measured up to the roof. With the rear seats removed, the capacity increases to 2,500 liters. -Continued

Powertrain options include a 73 HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine and a 75 HP 1.3 Multijet diesel engine matted to a 5-speed manual gearbox or a semi-automatic six-speed transmission. The Qubo MPV is expected to go on sale in Germany, Holland and Ireland this October with Belgium and Greece following in November and Great Britain and Denmark in early 2009.

It may look like as if it were stripped down for spare parts in some bad neighborhood, but the Portofino Concept that will be show at the Caravan Salon due to be held in Dusseldorf from August 29 to September 7 is actually inspired from the open-topped beach cars that were built onto small Fiat models by Italian coachbuilders in the 1960s. Based on the Fiorino, the Portofino Concept has not only lost its roof but also its doors that have been somewhat replaced by nautical ropes. To compensate for the structural loss, Fiat’s designers added a rollbar-like central ring. -Continued

Inside, the Portofino design follows a nautical theme with the interior flooring made out of wood. Other changes include the repainted dashboard and the new seats that have been upholstered with natural fibres treated using a special waterproofing process.

Although Fiat supports that the Portofino is just a study, the Italian automaker also said that a covered version will be available at a later stage for protection against sun and rain. In other words, don’t be surprised if Fiat decides in the near future to offer a production model based on this concept.

The production version of the Fiat’s Geneva Show Fiorino People-Carrier will bear the name Fiorino Qubo and it will be arriving in European dealerships over the next few weeks with prices in Italy starting around €13,000 or $20,000. The 5-seater Fiorino Qubo is marketed by Fiat as an affordable compact MPV and it will be offered with two engines, a 75Hp 1.3 Multijet diesel and a 73Hp 1.4-liter petrol unit. -Continued

Created as a result of a manufacturing joint venture between Fiat and PSA, the Fiorino Qubo is made at the Tofas factory in Bursa (Turkey) and this month it will be launched in France, followed by Austria, Poland and Hungary in July and August. It will then become available in Italy, Germany and Switzerland, and will arrive in Holland, Ireland and Belgium in October. Next year the launch will conclude in Great Britain and Denmark.