Editing Autobianchi (section)

===Stellina and Primula &ndash; Autobianchi pioneers new concepts===
{{main|Autobianchi Stellina|Autobianchi Primula}}
Five years after the debut of the Bianchina, at the 1963 [[Turin Motor Show]], a completely new Autobianchi model debuted: the [[Autobianchi Stellina]]. A two-door [[Roadster (automobile)|spider]] based on the [[Fiat 600|Fiat 600D's]] chassis was distinguished by its fibreglass body, designed by [[Tom Tjaarda]]. It was Italy's first car with such a body. The vehicle was only produced for two years (1964 and 1965) and only 502 Stellinas were made. Nevertheless, the model was an important step in the development of new technology for Fiat and the rest of the automotive industry. Its lofty price-tag of almost a million [[Italian lira|lira]] further emphasized the elevated status of the Autobianchi brand within the Fiat empire.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
[[File:Autobianchi Primula in Benelux.jpg|thumb|left|Autobianchi Primula 3-door]]
Even more important was the following year's presentation, the [[Autobianchi Primula]]. It was Fiat's first attempt at a [[front-wheel drive]] car with a [[transverse engine]], a configuration popularized by the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Mini]] and allowing for very compact and efficient utilization of the body space. Designed by Fiat's technical director, [[Dante Giacosa]], it was launched under the Autobianchi brand to test market reaction to the new concept. The Primula's particular configuration of front wheel drive with a transverse engine,  but with a gearbox on the end of the engine and unequal length drive shafts, rather than a gearbox in the sump like the Mini, became universal; as did its use of conventional steel suspension in almost all other cars with the exception of Citroen – usually [[MacPherson strut]]s at the front and a "dead" rear axle. Indeed, Peugeot in facelifting their 305 range on the early 1980s switched from their former adherence to the Mini in-sump gearbox to the Primula's end-on gearbox configuration. The Primula is thus a car design of far greater significance than is often realised, as its design influence spread far beyond even the mainstream high volume Fiats such as the 127 and the 128 of the late 1960s. Even though the new Autobianchi was priced higher than Fiat models of similar size, the car met with a favorable reception. Fiat would gradually move all of its models to front-wheel drive.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Throughout its production run the Primula was available as a two-door or five-door saloon, three-door of five-door [[hatchback]], and two-door coupé, with either a 1,221&nbsp;cc or a 1,197&nbsp;cc four-cylinder engine. The top-of-the-line Primula Coupé S used a 75&nbsp;PS ([[Horsepower#SAE gross|SAE]]) 1,438&nbsp;cc four-cylinder from the Fiat 124 Special. The lack of a fifth gear limited the high-end capacity of all Primula models.<ref>{{cite web |title=A profile of the Autobianchi brand |url=http://ranwhenparked.net/2010/04/20/a-profile-of-the-autobianchi-brand/ |website=ranwhenparked.net}}</ref>