Surf's up for latest Fiat concept

Fiat has partnered with skate- and surf-wear brand Vans in order to create a special one-off edition of the 500L that it hopes will make a splash.

Focused on individuality, style and having fun at the beach, the Fiat 500L Vans Concept will be making its official debut at the US Open of Surfing, which runs until August 3 at Huntington Beach, California.

The car started out life as a standard 500L, the big brother of Fiat's retro-inspired awesomely successful city car, the diminutive 500.

However, unlike the standard five-door car, it comes with a three-tone paint job and a specially designed grille that houses a row of four LED lights. The car also stands higher on raised suspension and bigger wheels for easier maneuvering over sandy surfaces.

In a nod to Vans' branding, the roof has a checkerboard pattern and the look is off finished with a special roof rack pre-loaded with surfboards and other beach kit to ensure that there's plenty of space in the cabin for the driver and passengers.

Inside there is no confusion as to who helped Fiat develop the car. Photo:AFP

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Inside there is no confusion as to who helped Fiat develop the car. Photo:AFP

However, once inside, you might need a pair of sunglasses as the dashboard is covered in stickers, decals and patches that will leave no one in any doubt that a company that makes skateboarding and surfboard products had a major hand in developing this car.

This influence is also seen on the accelerator and brake pedals which are finished with the Vans waffle sole -- familiar to anyone that's ever bought a pair of their skate shoes -- rather than black rubber or drilled aluminum.

So far Fiat has no plans to put the concept into production.