FIAT Releases Behind The Scenes Documentary On New 500 One-Offs:

The FIAT brand has released a 15-minute documentary called “One-Shot”, showcasing a behind the scenes look on the creation of the three exclusive interpretations of the new electrified Fiat 500 city car. The documentary was created and produced by VICE Italy and reveals aspects that aren’t normally seen by the general public.

The short film presents a relentless succession of meetings and processes that highlight teamwork, the affinity between designers from different fields, and the emotions involved in playing an active role in an extraordinary project – the creation of something unique an interpretation of the all-new 500 alongside the very best of “Made in Italy”.

The result is the three One-Offs, embodiments of the style, creativity, and craftsmanship characteristic of “Made in Italy” and of our partners in the project, in the path and in the vision of the Earth’s future. Sustainability needs to be combined with excellence in know-how, in creativity, and in innovation.

The three  One-Offs are…

500 Giorgio Armani:

Only Giorgio Armani, the undisputed king of the world of Italian elegance, could be the one to interpret the style. His haute couture house interpreted their version of the electric 500, the 500 Armani, in the name of timeless tailoring and sustainability. Using laser technology, Armani wished to shape the metal covering of the car’s bodywork (and eventually etching it) with exclusive micro-chevron engraving, bringing it as close as possible to the three dimensions of fabric. The result is further enhanced by an Armani gray-green “silk effect” color. What’s more, the opaque paint used for the exterior is an innovative product. While the “GA” logo is a strong feature of the wheel design and customizes the fabric of the soft top, while the amber-colored windows raise the car’s level of harmony and sophistication.

The neutral and elegant nuances continue in the interior: the seats are upholstered in certified full-grain natural leather, sourced from Poltrona Frau, in a “greyge” color with micro-chevron wool bands, embellished with details taken from the craftsmanship of the best leather goods.

The naturalness and authenticity of the materials are also emphasized by the sinuous and sculptural dashboard insert, covered with reconstituted open-pore wood embellished with thin layers of aluminum inlay, inspired by the elegance and contemporaneity of the Armani/Casa line.

B.500 “MAI TROPPO”:

Bvlgari’s One-off B.500 “MAI TROPPO” is a homage to craftsmanship and beauty. 500 has always played a role in La Dolce Vita, an Italian icon born of the love for beauty and art. The new interpreter of these values is Bvlgari, an emblem of Italian excellence, a brand that has innovated over the years by rewriting the rules of world jewelry and launching new trends that have become icons of contemporary design. The new 500 is a true gem in its own right, with its interiors in the finest materials, embellished by the greatest attention to the details and unique finishes that recall the vivid, unmistakable combinations of colors and motifs and exalt Bulgari’s Roman origins.
It could, therefore, take no other name than “MAI TROPPO” [never too much].

The One-off features a saffron-colored pearlescent paint, an iconic shade at Bvlgari inspired by the chromatic variegation of Roman sunsets. This effect is enhanced by nuance in the paint produced by expert manual technique. The “saffron” paint emphasizes the character of the car as a “jewel”, based on the inclusion of gold powder, recovered from the scraps of jewelry production. The end result: an environmentally friendly car, resplendent in its own light.

In addition to the gold paint, the B.500 has side sills and front moldings processed using the glazing technique; specifically designed wheels in the form of a star, the historical symbol of Bvlgari, along with black lacquer with gold trim and a side “jewel” badge in polished gold, with a diamond-paved B.500 logo. The philosophy of re-use continues in the interiors, with a dashboard fascia made even more elegant by its upholstery with heritage Bvlgari silk scarves from the collections of the past. The seats are in teal leather with “Diva” pattern embroidery, gold details, and scarf inserts. The true jewel of the interiors is three semi-precious stones, amethyst, topaz, and citrine, set in a removable brooch, made by the master goldsmiths at Bvlgari and placed in the center of the steering wheel.

500 Kartell:

Creativity and innovation are the elements of inspiration for the 500 Kartell One-off, from the iconic brand of Italian industrial design, which constantly experiments and researches new aesthetic and functions vernaculars for plastics. In recent years, Kartell has also been involved in developing increasingly sustainable plastics. The new 500 Kartell is an ideal mixture of materials that come together to breathe life into a true object of contemporary design.

The exterior features a “monoblock color” concept where the different types of materials – metal, glass, rubber, plastic, and fabric – are interpreted in the same color: Kartell blue, derived from Yves Klein blue, a universally recognized color iconic of the brand. The surfaces of the bodywork are mirror-effect Kartell blue, obtained using a blue Kartell mirror effect obtained with environmentally friendly chrome paint. The two brands’ logos stand out from the bodywork thanks to treatment with a sandblasted polycarbonate, to convey a sense of material and depth.

The most symbolic elements of the exterior, in addition to the color effect, are the components made of polycarbonate recycled from end-of-life parabolic projectors, used in the front grille, wheels and mirror caps. These objects feature a unique design inspired by the pattern of Kartell’s Kabuki lamp, created and developed by the designer Ferruccio Laviani as a motif to lead the new car’s identity, with unique details that recall the texture of the lamp and become special elements of the car. The Kabuki pattern remains the protagonist in the interiors, with a polycarbonate cover on the dashboard insert and transparently applied to the seats.

The contrast between the Kartell blue of the exterior and the brightness of the interior is striking, providing a clear and light environment, combining warm and cool hues. The tactile textile plastics used in the interior are 100% recycled polypropylene, just like the chairs from the latest Kartell collection. The fabrics take on a natural, cozy look, in fully recycled polyester.

“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” In these words, Olivier François – President, Fiat Brand Global and FCA Chief Marketing Officer – explains how the debut of the new 500 should be considered as a milestone in the automotive industry, putting the new 500 in its rightful place.