FIAT Multipla

[crayzayjay]

This is a pretty quirky MPV. It seems to me it almost took FIAT a decade to get the thing on the market, but it has received a good response. Its supposed to be very good to drive, comfortable etc...
The shape takes a lot of getting used to though, but I like it

cheers
jay

[crayzayjay]

forgot to attach the pic

[crayzayjay]

profile...

[crayzayjay]

rear view.... told you it's quirky

[crayzayjay]

""As suggested by its name, the Multipla is an auto that provides for a tremendous flexibility both in terms of choice of power sources and in the configuration of the interior space. Despite its small exterior, the Multipla has the cabin room of a minivan or station wagon and is intended as a family car, large enough for six passengers. It is unusually tall, and the windows have a vertical emphasis that permits a better view as well as an enhanced sense of spaciousness. The night visibility is improved by headlights and taillights that are placed at different heights along the chassis. For safety considerations the auto is engineered in two parts: a lower section containing the engine and drivetrain, and tall upper section for passengers and cargo. In an accident, this lower section of the car bears the brunt of the impact, with the higher riding passengers remaining protected.""

And here's the seating arrangement

[Banzai]

How can anyone love a car as wierd and downright ugly as this! Its front is just plain ugly. Why extend the A and B Pillars to make the car look dreadful? I'm sure it's fun to drive...but aren't Italians suppose to be good at designing good-looking cars? So far, Fiat isn't doing well in my opinion. With the exception of the Barchetta and the Coupe, the entire Fiat range looks positively ill; the Bravo/Brava, Stilo, Punto, Multipla and the Ecobasic (read: Panda) are terrible!

But on a more positive note, the rear looks OK and its quite clever the way Fiat has built the floor plan that allows a max of six occupants (or was it seven?).

[crayzayjay]

you have to give FIAT credit for trying.. at least it doesnt look like EVERY OTHER MPV out there... to each their own, i guess

cheers
jay

[Banzai]

I have to admit, Fiat did try to do something no other manufacturer has dared to do...but why go so extreme?

The Multipla did make an impression though...the Fiat bosses were so disappointed with the poor sales of the Multipla (44,000+) compared to its rivals (Scenic 400000+ since 99) that they were forced to bin the Ecobasic project.

[crayzayjay]

the Multipla doesnt compete with the Scenic. It competes with the Espace, Galaxy, Sharan, etc...

[Jimster]

Originally posted by crayzayjay
the Multipla doesnt compete with the Scenic. It competes with the Espace, Galaxy, Sharan, etc...

No the Ulysse is the Espace, Galaxy, Sharan etc. competitor, the Multipla takes on the Scenic, Zafira and Picasso

[crayzayjay]

The Mutlipla replaced the Ulysse did it not?

[Jimster]

No, the Ulysse strives on 2 years after the Multipla's introduction, the Ulysse will die when the 806 and Evasion die.

Having said that, the Multipla is by far the best mini-MPV

[crayzayjay]

i guess its just that Ulysses sell so badly that i thought they were dead.. hehehe

whatcar is "evasion"?

[Jimster]

Originally posted by crayzayjay
i guess its just that Ulysses sell so badly that i thought they were dead.. hehehe

whatcar is "evasion"?

The Citroen Synergie sold under the name Evasion in New Zealand

[Euro19]

The Multipla actually might be ugly to most people and I understand. But I´ll have to say I like somewhat the styling, those big side windows, the shape, it´s funny and doesn´t looks bad to me, but like I said it´s just my opinion, I know it would be normal to think it is ugly.
And it does compite with the MPVsin Europe such as Picasso, the best-seller Scénic, and the all new beautifully shaped Daewoo Tacuma.