It may look like as if it were stripped down for spare parts in some bad neighborhood, but the Portofino Concept that will be show at the Caravan Salon due to be held in Dusseldorf from August 29 to September 7 is actually inspired from the open-topped beach cars that were built onto small Fiat models by Italian coachbuilders in the 1960s. Based on the Fiorino, the Portofino Concept has not only lost its roof but also its doors that have been somewhat replaced by nautical ropes. To compensate for the structural loss, Fiat’s designers added a rollbar-like central ring.

Inside, the Portofino design follows a nautical theme with the interior flooring made out of wood. Other changes include the repainted dashboard and the new seats that have been upholstered with natural fibres treated using a special waterproofing process.

Although Fiat supports that the Portofino is just a study, the Italian automaker also said that a covered version will be available at a later stage for protection against sun and rain. In other words, don’t be surprised if Fiat decides in the near future to offer a production model based on this concept.

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According to emerging reports, a hybrid version of the Fiat 500 is in the works. The gas/electric retro mini would start off with Fiat’s 900cc two-cylinder engine, hooked up to a battery pack and backed up by a start-stop ignition system and a dual-clutch transmission. The idea of an environmentally-friendly 500 was previewed by the Fiat 500 Aria concept (pictured above) shown earlier this year at the Geneva show, while the 500 hybrid would reportedly be unveiled, oddly, at next year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The combination of green credentials would surely increase the 500’s economy to industry-leading levels, and help the entire Fiat Group come in below impending European emissions standards.

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Europe’s Car of the Year, the Fiat 500 has obtained an all-electric powertrain thanks to the chaps over at the UK based company Nice that specializes on electric vehicles. Produced to order in Italy by Micro-Vett, the first all-electric 500 will be produced in a limited number of units. Details are still scarce but Nice supports that the e500 is equipped with a lithium-ion polymer battery and that it has a range of around 75 miles or 120 km in typical city driving while its maximum speed is 60 mph or 96 km/h. Nice also says that the e500 comes with the full range of Fiat options and extras along with a full Fiat warranty.

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While many carmakers may have thought of an idea like this, few could actually manage to pull it off; provide your smallest and most inexpensive vehicle as a “courtesy car” for the customers of your most prestigious and expensive brand and make it sound totally cool. In particular, Fiat has built 200 special edition 500s exclusively for the Ferrari sales network around Europe –no word yet whether we’ll see the 500s in Ferrari’s North American network.

The special edition model is based on the 500 Sport version and is distinguished by the traditional Ferrari red color, the aluminum sporty pedal set, the red brake calipers, special black steering wheel with red stitching and 16” alloy wheels with 195/45 tires. Furthermore, the Fiat 500 specials that are equipped with a 100Hp 1.4-litre engine boast a specially tuned exhaust system.

Compared to standard Sport version, the Fiat 500 customized for Ferrari also has automatic climate control, electric sunroof, Frau leather interior, a hi-end stereo systme, fog lights, numbered plate on the dashboard and “Limited Edition” wording on the kick plate.

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