For the earlier Fiat 600-based Multipla produced between 1956 and 1965, see Fiat 600.

Fiat Multipla

First series Fiat Multipla
Manufacturer	Fiat
Production	1998–2010
Assembly	Mirafiori plant, Turin, Italy Arese plant, Milan, Italy (CNG version)
Predecessor	Fiat 600 Multipla
Successor	Fiat Freemont
Class	Compact MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Platform	Fiat Type Two (Tipo Due) platform[citation needed]
Engine	1.6L 16V I4 petrol 1.6L 16V I4 LPG/petrol 1.6L 16V I4 CNG 1.6L 16V I4 CNG/petrol 1.9L JTD I4 diesel 1.9L Multijet I4 diesel
Transmission	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,666 mm (105.0 in)[1]
Length	Pre-facelift: 3,994 mm (157.2 in) Post-facelift: 4,080 mm (161 in)
Width	1,871 mm (73.7 in)
Height	1,670 mm (66 in)
Curb weight	1300-1490 kg (2866-3285 lb)
Related	Fiat Bravo/Brava Fiat Marea Zotye Mutipla (2nd generation) [2]

Second series Multipla

The Fiat Multipla was a compact MPV manufactured by Italian automaker Fiat from 1998 to 2010.

Based on the Brava, the Multipla was shorter and wider than its rivals. It had two rows of three seats, while all its competitors had two seats in the front (the Honda FR-V, which has the same layout, was released in 2004). The Multipla was even shorter than the three-door Fiat Bravo upon which it was based, despite offering substantially more space and seating.

In common with a number of other modern Fiats, the Multipla reused the name of an earlier vehicle, in this case the "Multipla" variant of the Fiat 600 produced during the 1950s and 1960s.

Design

The exterior and interior design of the Multipla was displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York during its "Different Roads - Automobiles for the Next Century" exhibition in 1999.

The car, along with the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira, were beaten by the Toyota Yaris in the 2000 European Car of the Year contest.^[3]

It won the Top Gear "Car of the Year" (2000) and was voted Top Gear Magazine "Family Car of the Year" for four years in a row (2001–2004).

Multipla sales began in Italy late in 1998 but most other markets had to wait a year before receiving imports. The Multipla sold well with Italian buyers, but sales elsewhere were less successful. The car was voted 'Ugliest Car' in the 1999 Top Gear awards. Also when Simon Cowell went on Top Gear he was shown a picture of the car and said it had a disease.

In 2004 the Multipla underwent a major facelift to shed its original styling for a more restrained look, with the intention of attracting more buyers. It did arrive to critical acclaim.^[4][5]

Engines

The car comes with either a 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) 1.6-litre petrol or a 120 PS (88 kW; 120 hp) 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine. A "Bi-Power" Multipla that runs on both petrol and CNG (methane) is offered in certain markets.

UK trim levels

• Multipla SX - basic model available with petrol or diesel engines.
• Multipla ELX - added Air Conditioning, Twin Electric Sunroofs, alloy wheels and electric rear windows, as well as special wipe-clean, brightly-coloured seats.

These trim levels were later replaced with Active, Dynamic, and Dynamic Family when the Multipla was facelifted at the end of 2004.

Inner room and flexibility

The new generation Multipla was praised by journalists at its launch for its flexibility.^{[citation needed]} The Multipla’s three-abreast seating configuration allows for adjustment of the front seats and the removal and relocation of the rear seats into many formats. It also affords a big 430 litres (15 cu ft) of luggage space which can increase to 1,900 litres (67 cu ft) of flat floor load space with the rear three seats removed from the vehicle.

Chinese version

Zotye Auto had assembled Multipla 2 from KD kits from late 2008 to 2010 in its Changshan factory, and marketed it in China as Mutiplan. In October 2010, Zotye started to build a version of Multipla 2 employing more locally made parts in order to reduce costs; the new version is called "Langyue" in China. ^[6]

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fiat Multipla

• Fiat Multipla Official UK Site