2002 Fioravanti Yak Concept

An Italian automotive design studio in Moncaliera outside of the city of Turin, Fioravanti was a company that began in 1987. Originally the company began as an architectural practice working on projects in Japan, and since 1991 the company focused its activities on automotive design. The Fioravanti Company was founded by C.E.O. Leonardo Fioravanti who had worked for twenty-four years with Pininfarina on a variety of famous vehicles such as the Ferrari Daytona, Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer, Ferrari Dino, the Ferrari 288 GTO and the Ferrari 308 GTB.

The alternative answer to a more innovative style for future vehicles, the Fioravanti Yak was debuted in 2002 with a very powerful V8 engine and an all-wheel drive. The Yak was named after the Tibetano Buffalo, and the concept was also the same color. 'Cross-overs' are the newest class of cars that combined a variety of features taken from different automobiles, most looking like station wagons, but were higher off the ground and have larger wheels.

The Yak was based on a cross ring element with a central roll-bar which was quite important for safety in off-road vehicles. One of the most innovative features of the Yak was the side window wipers, which was very important for rear visibility in many driving conditions in and out of the city. As well as featuring an innovative variety of lamps, the front of the Yak featured several air inlets and outlets, which was essential for those vehicles able to shift even at low speed, and during sever conditions.

The doors of the Yak had a ‘wardrobe' opening to guarantee sleek and easy access to the rear seats. The central pillar incorporated side wipers for all four doors. Due to its shape, the rear of the Yak featured a bit transparent bubble which allowed for ample cargo room and panoramic view. The Yak could also be divided into various sectors which slide, like a sun roof into the lower part of the back door, which turned the car into a pickup truck. A special translation wiper allowed for complete cleaning of the rear window.

The inside of the Yak was also quite unique and innovative. The cabin was divided into two zones, the front designed for driving, even in challenging situations like off road driving, and the rear provided more comfort and ease for passengers. The dashboard was chock full of the simplest controls, vocal as well, and information. A transparent bubble protected two screens that gave the driver all of the pertinent information on driving, vehicle status, navigation, maintenance and well as connected to the internet and tv programs. ‘Infotainment' could be easily selected with just the use of a knob, similar to a ‘mouse' in ergonomic position.

Rather than coming out of traditional air vents, air comes out through big passageways and the climate could be controlled from different areas by every passenger of the vehicle. The rearview mirror also incorporates the telepass and the electronic registration certificate. The seats in the Yak featured semi-automatic seat belts and there was also plenty of storage room for various objects in the door panels in the spce between the two front sets.

Special armrests in the Yak were activated with a sensor that was placed in the lower part of the seat a few seconds after seating. These special armrests place the top parts of the 4 point seat belts on shoulders while the lower parts are situated in the same armrests. Passengers simply had to fasten the central buckle. Fioravanti created a system that was comfortable and with no need of contortion, safer in side impacts and turnovers while the armrests provide even greater safety.

Other innovative features in the Yak included every seat having it's on speaker, while the rear seats have disappearing headrests which improved better visibility. The rear zone had a large three passenger bench seat that extends to the doors and merges well with the storage pockets, and under the seats are removable storage drawers. The light, climate and ‘infotainment' controls are all within easy reach for passengers in the rear seat. Versatile and capable of holding either obtuse or delicate luggage, the trunk compartment on the Yak is enriched with gleaming wooden trim.

The Fioravanti Yak was designed to showcase safety concepts. A static model, the Yak is a large, five-door crossover car that was designed to accommodate permanent four-wheel drive and a V8 engine. The Yak measures 4500mm in length, 1900mm in width and measured 1680mm high. Much like earlier Fioravanti's concepts, the outside design is little more than a shell used to demonstrate three new patents, each dedicated to safety concerns.

By Jessica Donaldson