The quirky (ugly!) looking six-seater was a bit of a horror story head on but just like ‘Beauty’ found out with ‘Beast’ looks aren’t everything. Behind the wheel the Italian people mover was truly innovative.
Fiat tore up the rulebook in 1999 with Multipla, making it was as wide as a ‘Limo’ (1.87 meters) but shorter than the average family hatchback! The two rows of three abreast seating was built for six fully formed adults. The car’s main fault was the lack of boot space with all seats in place.
The rear seats can be removed individually allowing the boot to range in size from 430 litres to a van-like 1,900.
The new Multipla won’t make children cry thanks to a new front end (bonnet, badgering, lights etc.). There are some subtle ‘Anorak’ changes to the side skirts (colour coded) and rear end lights and badge treatment and as before acres of glass.
New as standard is an electric height adjuster for the driver’s seat. You can still turn off the front passengers airbag making all seats young family friendly.
The engines available are the same as before, a 1.6 petrol unit (103 bhp/12.6 secs. 0-100km/h) and 1.9 litre (115 bhp/12.2 secs. 0-100 km/h) JTD diesel. The five-speed gearbox is operated from the centre console and the handbrake as ever is found next to the seat on driver’s right handside.
Active and Dynamic are the specification levels with ‘Climate Control’ the main addition to the higher grade. Prices start at €23,995 and are seriously competitive, couple this with Fiat’s brand new ‘4+’ four year warranty and four years AA membership and the Multipla is hard to dismiss.
I took the 1.6 for a brief test drive and must say it is decent machine with a commanding driving position. The old tiny buttoned stereo is re packaged as a Fiat unit, while the plastics remain very… plastic. Coloured cloth trim livens up things a little inside. Multipla is a very airy car with a huge percentage of glass.
Be advised, the base Active model does without air conditioning so misting up might be a problem. The car is still a bit bonkers and a little too wide for most parking spaces but you have got to love it.
- Michael Sheridan
