Historically, in our country, the products of the Italian automobile concern Fiat are treated with great sympathy. After all, even the Zhiguli lineup was once developed on their platform. Therefore, all new products of this company are always perceived with great enthusiasm by domestic motorists. This fully applies to the Fiat Multipla series.
The world auto industry today offers the consumer market a fairly wide range of cars, which is focused primarily on the purchasing power of the so-called middle class. In the tight competition was able to occupy a very definite niche and the concern "Fiat", which regularly updates its lineup. In our country, cars of this manufacturer are very popular due to the significant advantages associated with their appearance, interior comfort, reliability, excellent technical characteristics and affordable prices.
In 1998, the Fiat manufacturing company mastered the serial production of the new Fiat Multipla model, which was announced as a fundamentally new class of vehicles. The world community reacted with great attention to the market position declared by the developers of this car. Experts and buyers are still trying to understand the validity of such a bold statement. Fiat Multipla is a compact van based on the Fiat Brava platform, which was produced by the Italian concern Fiat from 1998 to 2010. Its main unique parameters are the presence of three seats in the front of the cabin and an outstanding width of the body. This technical feature was later adopted by Japanese manufacturers for the release of the Honda FR-V model.
Interestingly, Fiat has already used the name “Multipla” to identify its model, which was used to modify the Fiat 600. And in mid-2004, under the influence of constructive criticism, the manufacturer subjected the controversial exterior of the Fiat Multipla to some changes, as a result of which it acquired a more familiar exterior. view.
common data
In order to thoroughly review the Fiat Multipla and determine the winner in the dispute over beauty or functionality preferences, potential buyers should familiarize themselves with the general characteristics of this model.
The period of serial production is 1999-2010.
Classification - compact MPV.
Body type - a five-door station wagon.
The capacity is six people.
The layout of the power plant is front-engine with front-wheel drive.
Wheel formula - 4 x 2.
Length - 4090 mm.
Width - 1871 mm.
Height - 1670 mm.
The wheelbase is 2666 mm.
Weight - 1300-1470 kg.
Market segment - M-segment. The related model is the Fiat Brava.
Exterior design
The main difference of the Fiat Multipla model from all other representatives of road transport is its appearance, which can be defined, at least, by the definitions "ugly duckling", "impossible" or "strange". According to many experts and motorists, this model of the Italian concern has a body made of two different bodies. Moreover, such a design decision is not at all perceived as daring, odious or creative. One gets the impression that this is a kind of "cut", which was hastily and very carelessly welded in two tiers from the material that just came to hand.
For the sake of justice, the fact that such a radical design solution has its fans should also be admitted. That is why Fiat Multipla was still able to conquer its segment of the thematic market. In addition, the first impression of the "wild beauty" of this "Italian" is replaced by a feeling of unusual spaciousness at the level of the shoulder girdle when you get inside the cabin. Moreover, after prolonged use of this car, it begins to get used to this element of comfort, so that after similar practice on other cars, a certain lack of space begins to be felt.
There is another pleasant oddity, when during precipitation with an open window, water practically does not get inside the cabin. Apparently, the developers of the project carried out their bold idea, guided by the priority of functionality and convenience of passengers, rather than stylish design and the introduction of luxury elements. By the way, according to the reviews of many Fiat Multipla owners, it turned out that this model has one negative quality common to all produced cars in the form of a defect in windows, none of which can be opened completely. But no one imputes this obvious puncture of the developers so seriously that it becomes a priority when a potential buyer chooses a car.
Interior design
After the first wave of surprise at the first acquaintance with the "Italian" through an external examination by an interested motorist, a second shock occurs when he gets inside the cabin. After all, the concept of creativity in everything encompassed the interior design of the car. Indeed, the presence of three seats in front of the cabin can confuse anyone. Moreover, the non-standard solution also covered the rear row of seats, since there they are available in the same quantity. Based on this, the total number of people who can comfortably fit inside the Fiat Multipla is six. Accordingly, if desired, all eight can fit there.
But the unique approach to interior design of a minivan does not end with the number of passengers and seats. After all, the information block in the center of the front panel and the glove compartment opposite the steering wheel can also surprise anyone. Moreover, this oddity eventually becomes completely justified. Because after a satisfied driver gets used to driving the new beauty model Fiat Multipla, he realizes that this is the most reasonable and functional location. It’s even not entirely clear why manufacturers didn’t pay enough attention to such obvious location decisions before. After all, the driver in this case does not need to look at the instruments "through the steering wheel", and the compartment for things should not be reached through the entire interior, since everything is at hand.
Another positive surprise for potential owners of the fiat multipla is the luggage compartment, which is quite immodest in size. Moreover, provided that the rear seats are folded, you can get a really large volume for the transportation of bulky goods, which is very important, for example, for tourists and summer residents.
Characteristics
It is interesting that after getting acquainted with the exterior of the car and its internal design, when there is no end to the surprise of a potential buyer, its technical characteristics, confirmed by a test drive during operation, are not at all capable of stunning. After all, under the hood of Fiat Multipla, he will see the usual 1.6 liter Bipower engine with a capacity of 100 horsepower.
The hybrid powertrain can run on both gasoline and methane. The volume of the gas tank is 38 liters, and the capacity of the gas cylinders is 164 liters. It should be borne in mind that the versatility of the motor directly affects its mass. Therefore, this engine is 170 kg heavier than its gasoline counterpart. It is important to know that since 2002 Fiat Multipla has changed its appearance. The modernization first of all touched the same body “welded from various fragments”, which the developers replaced with a more traditional version.
For the sake of fairness, it should be noted that such a reconstruction of the building of the "creative Italian" did not quite go to his advantage. Indeed, by this time he had definitely won his unique position in the consumer market, which was available to him solely because of the original appearance, which became a kind of visiting card for him.
If we summarize all the impressions from the experience of using it, then we can unequivocally state the fact that the Fiat Multipla is a very comfortable family car, which is perfect for transporting bulky goods.
