AUTONEWS

Peglica for the 21st century: A charming reinterpretation of a Fiat classic by an Italian designer

This is what a new small city car could look like, according to designer Francesco Salvia, which has also become famous in our region under the unique name Peglica.

Retro was quite present in the automotive industry two to three decades ago. VW recognized it with the Beetle, BMW with the Mini, and Fiat felt it back in 2007 when it brought back the iconic 500.

Out of nostalgia for old legends, designer Francesco Salvia from Rome suggests the same for another small classic – the Fiat 126, or the legendary Peglica as we called it in our region.

Between 1972 and 2000, a total of more than 4.5 million of these cars were produced, in Italy and Poland. It was Salvia's father's first car, so that was his motivation to sit down and draw a modern version.

The design remained faithful to the original and retained characteristic details such as the rear air intake, fuel filler flap and door handles, only adapting them to modern standards. The light signatures at the front and rear directly reflect the original angular lights.

Salvia believes that the A-segment is unfairly dying out. A small car means lower consumption, less CO2 and easier parking in crowded cities.

"In an automotive industry where the A-segment seems to be dying out, I firmly believe that it is time for a bold counter-wave. Why would we give up the compact dimensions that made urban mobility so great?"

In addition to the basic one, the Italian also drew a sporty Abarth variant and a Cross version with higher ground clearance and off-road tires.

The interior combines retro simplicity with modern technology – physical buttons, a central screen, vibrant colors.

The author concludes and hopes that Fiat will notice this work, because the new 126 would be the ideal successor to the Fiat 500.

In Italy, 1,352,912 Fiat 126s were produced between 1972 and 1980. Another 3,318,674 Fiat 126s were manufactured in the Polish factories of Bielsko-Biała and Tychy between 1973 and 2000. This 3.05-meter-long car, with its 23-horsepower engine, survived for a remarkable 28 years. The Italian architect and designer also cherishes childhood memories associated with this small vehicle.

"As far back as I can remember, it was my father's first car," says Salvia. To honor this memory, he dedicated himself to designing a new Fiat 126. The focus of the redesign was the luminous signature of the front and rear headlights. They echo the simple, angular headlights and the smooth front of the original model. A thin strip of light extends towards the logo.

The side view remains simple and discreet. A side-by-side comparison clearly shows that the 126 concept was adapted only in terms of dimensions and a more robust stance. Distinctive details, such as the rear air intake, the fuel tank cap, and the door handles (now flush with the body), were retained. Even the generous glazed area was perfectly reinterpreted.