What do Fiat, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have in common? They're all linked to the Disabled Alpine Skiing World Cup, and thus to Kiwi medal prospect Adam Hall. Hall was selected by the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme, which mentors young athletes, and competes at skiing events around the world from his Colorado base.
He's also part of the Mitsubishi-sponsored NZ Paralympic Games team to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games and was ranked number two in the world for adaptive slalom skiing.
Hall is fresh back from Europe, where he's competed in Slalom and Grand Slalom Cup rounds, but will miss the latest Cup round and therefore an encounter with Fiat's 500 Autonomy. It's part of a Fiat and Alfa Romeo line-up that designs cars to suit disabled drivers, and builds them on the factory production line.
Their owners can forget ugly bolt-on additions; this Fiat 500 features an unobtrusive circular electronic accelerator beneath the steering wheel with a vertical brake lever, while the seat swings 90 degrees to ease entry and egress. Selected models from the Autonomy range are available on special order.
Fiat goes extra mile
Fiat's new Autonomy is especially adapted for the disabled. Photo / Supplied
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