Fiat Multipla

 

A first Multipla concept car was unveiled in at the Paris Motor Show in October 1996. The final production car was presented at the International Motor Show Germany in Frankfurt in the Autumn of 1997.^[4]

The exterior and interior design of the Multipla were displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York during its "Different Roads – Automobiles for the Next Century" exhibition in 1999.^[5]

It won the Top Gear Car of the Year (2000), as well as the "More beautiful Car in the world" in the same programme's awards.^[6] It was also voted Top Gear Magazine's Family Car of the Year for four years in a row, from 2001 to 2004.^{[citation needed]} In July 2000, in the series finale of Clarkson's Car Years, it was awarded "Family Car of the Moment".^{[citation needed]}

Multipla sales began in Italy in November 1998, with most other markets receiving it a year later. The Multipla sold well with Italian buyers, but sales elsewhere were less successful.

 

 

The Multipla underwent a major facelift in March 2004, in an attempt to shed its original styling for a more restrained look. This was with the intention of attracting more buyers, but failed to garner critical acclaim.^[1][7] Upon the subsequent restyling, The Daily Telegraph reported designers were "desperately sad that the new Multipla no longer resembles a psychotic cartoon duck," and "while passengers loved the adaptability of the clever interior, they were less keen on the sarcastic sneers and derisive laughter of their neighbours, friends and schoolmates; children can be cruel."^[8]

The Telegraph placed it #2 on its list of the 100 Ugliest Cars in August 2008, saying, "Derided for the blandness of its output during the 1980s and early 1990s, Fiat dared to start thinking outside the box. In this case, however, it simply added wheels to the box."^[9] The Multipla was also named the ugliest car of all time by readers of Car Throttle in January 2014.^[10] In February 2018, The Sunday Times named it on a list of ugliest cars, saying, "The tragedy of the Multipla is that its Elephant Man-esque exterior enclosed a genuinely clever and spacious interior, and it wasn't bad to drive, either. It's a shame, then, that you'd rather walk than be seen in it."^[11]

A 1.6 L engine, which could be powered on either methane or standard petrol, was offered in certain markets.^[12]

• 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.

In June 2004, when the Multipla received its facelift, these trim levels were later replaced with Dynamic, Dynamic Family, Dynamic Plus.

The new generation Multipla was praised by journalists at its launch for its flexibility. 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.

From December 2008 to September 2010, Zotye Auto had assembled Multipla 2 from KD kits, in its factory in Changshan, and marketed it in China as the Zotye Multiplan. 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.^[13] There are 2 types: M300 (Engine powered) and M300 EV (see below) which is electric.

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  Zotye M300 (front view)
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  Zotye M300 EV (E300) taxi (rear view)
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  Zotye M300 EV (E300) battery swap

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat Multipla (1998).

• Fiat Multipla Official United Kingdom Site
• Fiat Multipla Owner's Manual (1st generation)