Fiat VSS (1978) - Veicolo Sperimentale a Sottosistemi (Subsystems Experimental Vehicle)
Prototype of compact car styled, developed and built by I.DE.A Institute
The Fiat VSS prototype was based on the Fiat Ritmo, and was the result of the collaboration between Fiat, the I.D.E.A. Institute and Renzo Piano’s team.
The structure was a steel spaceframe and the body (with plastic panels) had no load-bearing capacity, but for the first time this choice was made in order to reduce the vehicle weight and to obtain a high flexibility in terms of external shape, production and assembly.
After twenty years these issues became of primary importance for the whole Automobile Industry.
In the original concept the 9 external panels had to be produced separately (as complete "subsystems") and then assembled in a final production line.
Today this philosophy of production is being investigated by many Car Manufacturers.
