Fiat Ritmo CVP

The Fiat Ritmo CVP by Michelotti was a one-off design study executed in 1981 by the independent Turin-based studio of Giovanni Michelotti. Based on the second-generation Fiat Ritmo platform, the CVP (Coupé Vettura Prototipo) was a prototype intended to explore alternative design directions for Fiat’s mid-size hatchback. It remained a non-production, concept-level vehicle and is not known to have been commissioned for series manufacture. The car retained the mechanical layout of the standard Fiat Ritmo, employing a transverse front-mounted engine with front-wheel drive. At the time, Ritmo Series II production models were offered with a range of four-cylinder petrol engines, including the 1,301 cc and 1,585 cc SOHC units, producing approximately 65 to 90 PS depending on specification. The chassis consisted of the standard steel monocoque with independent MacPherson strut front suspension, a torsion beam rear axle, and disc brakes at the front. Michelotti’s redesign replaced the Ritmo’s five-door configuration with a three-door fastback coupé body. The most distinctive feature was the unique roof treatment, which included a steeply sloped rear glass area and a reprofiled C-pillar. The design also eliminated the production car’s plastic-clad surfaces in favour of cleaner, more restrained panel work. The front end retained the twin round headlamps, but the grille and lower valance were reshaped to reflect a more refined aesthetic direction. Interior modifications were minimal and followed the standard Ritmo layout. Only one example of the Fiat Ritmo CVP was constructed, and it remained under the custodianship of Michelotti’s studio until the firm ceased operations in the late 1980s. The car is not known to have entered private hands or public display. No verified chassis number or mechanical records are currently published.