Pirelli ‘Green Circles’ Fitted to Fiat Concept Car

Green appears to be the unofficial colour of the Frankfurt Show, with a number of manufacturers choosing to display their concept of a low environmental impact vehicle. Fiat is doing this with its Panda Aria, a concept car with a range features designed to help the big blue ball, including a two-cylinder 900cc dual petrol/methane-hydrogen engine, optimised gearbox and Stop&Start device and a range of what Fiat calls ‘eco compatible’ materials both inside and out.

The ‘Stop&Start’ system turns the engine off temporarily when the engine is idling or the vehicle is stationary and starts it again when the brake pedal is released or a gear engaged. This feature allows for a 10 per cent fuel reduction (urban cycle).

The interior is upholstered with natural fibres (cotton and linen), woven coconut fibre and biodegradable elements, while the exterior panelling is made of semi-transparent eco-resin and the structure is treated with opaque ‘totouch’ paint.

But of particular interest to us is, of course, the tyres. Pirelli has rolled out an experimental ‘ultra green’ tyre for the Panda Aria. Fiat reports that the tyre contains new compounds and new aromatic oil free textile weaves that guarantee limited drag but do not detract from dynamic safety performance (stopping distances and good handling on wet and dry roads).