The new Multipla received its world premiere at the
2004 Geneva Motor Show, and it was seen for the first time in the UK at
The Sunday Times Motor Show Live, ahead of the arrival of right hand drive versions, expected in late August.
Fiat's highly controversially styled Multipla has now jettisoned its wacky looks as the six-year-old innovative MPV aims to broaden its appeal. The model now sports an up-to-date corporate face, very much in the style of the smaller Idea compact MPV.
Fiat UK is confident that the new model can become a genuinely strong player in the mid-size MPV segment. The Multipla has been continually praised for its use of interior space and comes out on top when pitted against its rivals. However, the car-buying public has never taken to its looks, and this fresh new appearance it is hoped will reverse this.
Just 558 Multipla MPVs rolled out of the dealerships up to the end of April this year in the UK, a figure that is roughly on a par with 2003. In contrast, the segments leading players, the Vauxhall Zafira, Renault Scenic and Citroen Xsara Picasso, sold in the same period, 17,775, 13,253 and 13,740 units respectively, while the fourth and fifth best sellers, the Ford C-Max and VW Touran are new entrants into the mid-size MPV class. Other bit players include the Mercedes A-class,
Mitsubishi Space Star, Toyota Corolla Verso and Chrysler PT Cruiser.
It is a growing segment and Fiat UK is targeting a much larger slice of the action. With this new model they are confident that the Mulipla's benefits can be brought to a much wider audience.
The Multipla's original controversial styling, which first appeared as a concept at the 1998 Turin Motor Show, rather overshadowed the ingenious six-seat interior. The new model still packages the innovative seating concept and can accommodate six adults in comfort. The boot capacity has increased from 390 litres to 430 litres, whilst the car has gained 9 cm in length. This is due to the new nose (headlamps, grille, bonnet) and rear (light units, boot).
The Car Enthusiast hopes to test the new-look Multipla later this year. Watch out in the main
Road Tests page for the review.
ItaliaSpeed - 27 May 2004
