Bojan Vrbnjak
We can only imagine what follows: the Fiat Multipla is the ugliest car of all time. How boring and contrived. It's like always choosing Barcelona when playing soccer on the Playstation. To be honest, now completely different manufacturers are teasing our eyes with questionable design excesses. Do we hear anyone shouting about the ugliness of the BMW XM or Tesla Cybertruck these days?
In any case, the Fiat Multipla revolutionized the minivan segment 25 years ago with the then unique concept of three seats in two rows. Three seats in one row existed before, for example in the Matra Murena model. But not in the entire vehicle. Later, the Honda FR-V used this concept again. The name Multipla is not new in 1999. Already in 1956, Fiat introduced the 600 Multipla, a small van with front-wheel drive that had room for six people. Since the beginning of the XNUMXs, Chrysler Voyager, Nissan Prairie and Renault Espace have been among the pioneers of the "van" concept.
Fiat Multipla 1999
Roberto Giolito, designer of the Fiat Multipla 25 years ago, explains the advantages of his design. The vehicle is a concrete example of how imaginative solutions can improve the quality of life in the vehicle. The concept was so revolutionary for that time that the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York included the Fiat Multipla in an exhibition entitled "Car of the Future". By the way: Giolito also gave us the modern Fiat 500 in 2007 and the second generation Panda in 2011. Both were extremely successful. Roberto Giolito describes: "The concept of the Fiat Multipla was unusual precisely because it meant sociability and connection. Perhaps we understand the Fiat Multipla even better today than when it was probably too forward-looking and innovative to be accepted.”
The Fiat Multipla challenges the cliché that a designer's work is merely an aesthetic exercise. In this case, Giolito and his team created a design that emphasizes the technological originality of the Fiat Multipla. This means that the body is designed to offer space for six passengers in two rows of seats and luggage, without compromising comfort and maximum safety. The entire body is divided into two modules: a short and streamlined base, which is covered by a spacious body. The arrangement of the headlights at different levels gives the front part of the vehicle an unmistakable look. Three pairs of headlights are positioned to optimally illuminate the road: fog lights in the bumper, a low beam in the radiator grille and a high beam high under the windshield.
Fiat Multipla - 3+3 seats
The Fiat Multipla was also innovative in terms of production technology at the time. Due to the spatial framework construction, it fulfills two requirements: high flexibility of production and low investment in the factory. Innovative ideas do not take up valuable space. This is also one of the advantages of the Fiat Multipla model, which at the time was the only 3+3-seater in this segment. The original design turns the four-meter-long vehicle into a versatile minivan. At the same time, the Fiat Multipla offers the driving characteristics of a sedan, which, thanks to its compact dimensions and good visibility in all directions, proves its suitability for everyday use in city traffic. The Multipla is exactly 3,99 meters long, 1,87 meters wide and 1,67 meters high.
In two rows with three seats, up to six people can enjoy the large space. The control elements are placed as high as possible so that the passengers in the first row have maximum freedom of movement. The heads of the passengers in the outer seats are away from the windows, so they do not feel cramped. The modularity of the interior, provided by the folding and individually removable seats in the second row, also allows for a trunk volume of up to 1.900 liters. The rear center seat can be moved and folded into a table. Instead of the middle seat in the first row, it is possible to install, for example, a spacious refrigerator powered by the vehicle's battery.
Fiat Multipla 1999-2010
The high-mounted gear lever is also ergonomically designed, as is the central instrument panel, which is located slightly to the right of the steering wheel. It's easy to read without having to take your eyes off the road for long periods of time. Greater distance to the person behind the wheel also prevents eye fatigue. The Multipla's platform and engines are derived from the related Fiat Bravo compact class. Fiat Multipla is available with four engines when it goes on sale: 1,6 16V petrol engine with 76 kW (103 hp), 1,9 JTD turbodiesel engine with 85 kW (115 hp), later up to 88 kW (120 KM). In addition, two engines that could use alternative fuels were already available from the factory at that time.
The Fiat Multipla blupower (since 2004 Natural Power) runs on natural gas, while the Fiat Multipla bipower can run on gasoline or natural gas. Both engines have an output of 66 kW (90 hp) in Germany. As part of the Athena project for the southern Italian city of Naples, in 2000 some examples of the Fiat Multipla model were equipped with an advanced hybrid drive that combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The Fiat Multipla has many safety systems installed as standard, including the ESP electronic stabilization system and six airbags. Side airbags protect the heads of passengers in the event of a side impact. ISOFIX fastening elements allow easy installation of child seats. In addition, in 2004, the Fiat Multipla was the first vehicle model of this brand to be equipped with a hands-free phone system with Bluetooth technology.
And what did journalists say 25 years ago? According to the ADAC, you have to be very slim or like yourself to be able to seat three people in the front. The refrigerator, which is available at no extra charge, is better placed in the middle. The workmanship could be better, but the windows could not be fully opened. On the other hand, very good: trunk, chassis and radio. The price of the JTD diesel engine with 105 hp in Germany: 38.500 marks, in Italy 34.742.000 lire.
Fiat Multipla 2004
In June 2004, the Multipla with a modified body shape was presented in Italy (in Germany in September 2004). The characteristic step between the engine cover and the windshield has been removed, and the front part is reminiscent of the small Fiat Idea van that appeared in 2003. In April 2006, the Multipla will undergo even smaller changes. The van is said to be upgraded with new fabrics and revised instrument graphics. Sales in Germany ended in early 2008, and production of the Multipla model in Italy was discontinued in February 2010. A total of 343.841 units were produced. The petrol and turbodiesel versions were produced at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, while the natural gas versions rolled off the production line at the former Alfa Romeo plant in Arese.
Between 2010 and 2013, the Multipla model was still manufactured under license by the Chinese car manufacturer Zotye as the Zotye M300 electric car. The successor to the Multipla in Europe will be the Fiat 500L and 500L Living. She's not exactly a natural beauty either...
