Alpine’s Cute Fiat 500 Cup

Alpine Europe’s latest demo car is an easy one to get into exhibition halls and to put onto trailers, although will not be much good at crossing continents as it is a cute wee Fiat 500 Cup – the new supermini of the moment. It won European accolades and so was an obvious choice for being a new Euro demo car. Here’s what Alpine Europe have to say about it.

Compact dimensions, trendy design, and plenty of power. No, we’re not talking about the Fiat 500 this time, but about the innovative technology inside the new Alpine demo car. But what’s so special about this MS Design-refined model? (Which, by the way, is number five of a limited edition of 100) Manfred Stengl and his team completely revamped the interior and installed all multimedia components visibly and in the order of the signal path, thus presenting the structure of the system in a comprehensible manner. The HiFi power base for the speedy 100bhp mini is a PDX-5, the latest innovation in Alpine’s compact amplifier series. Its rich five channels deliver sonic accuracy and drive the Fiat’s entire multimedia system.
Four x 75 watts (RMS) drive two pairs of Alpine SPX-17PRO component two-way speakers, whose special feature, a frequency diplexer with phase correction, creates a convincing sound stage in the vehicle. The PDX-5’s fifth (bass) channel creates 300 watts (RMS) that are channelled into a power efficient 10 inch SWS-1043D subwoofer.
For optimal sound the vehicle body was fitted with Bimast Bomb mats from Standartplast turning the Recaro Sportster CS seats into relax recliners. In the front, an IVA-W505R mobile media station is effectively presented in the redesigned dashboard. With the large and contrast-rich WVGA display, the new Alpine double DIN device also provides an optimal playback platform for videos, whether on iPods or DVDs. It integrates the vehicle display via an interface and the steering remote control thus facilitating an ergonomic, safe, and convenient single-unit operation even if the driver manages an iPod with several gigabytes of music.
But the IVA-W505R mobile media station does not only impress in terms of input. Its output is remarkable as well. Among the highlights is the upgrade option for a low cost attached PXA-H100 sound processor to deliver impressive IMPRINT sound quality by utilising sophisticated sound technologies – Audyssey’s MultEQ.

With IMPRINT Alpine now offers a device that automatically tunes the car’s interior sonic environment to perfection, which not only reduces the initial system setup and professional fine-tuning to less than a half hour but also provides a significantly enhanced sound stage and tonal balance. The Fiat’s electric system also includes state-of-the-art microprocessor electronics: With a specially programmed PLC, a voltage monitor prevents total battery discharge. Manfred Stengl and his team installed an AIV Green Power; a high capacity battery with a powerful continuous current supply. This manufacturer also supplied the entire wiring system, fibreglass mats, resins, and filler materials.
However, the Fiat is not to be upstaged by all this technology as MS Design fitted the car with a body kit. The front spoiler with large honeycomb inserts turns this cute city cruiser into an outside lane eyeful. This is also emphasised by the seamless transitions into the stylised fender flares that merge beautifully with the sturdy side mouldings and the well-proportioned lower rear panel. Sporty 17 inch light-alloy rims and a stylish tailpipe top the package and make the Fiat look and sound great outside as well!
Contact www.alpine-electronics.co.uk or call 0845 31 31 640