Fiat Auto’s restyled Multipla and new Doblò Family 7-seater, together with the new Panda SUV and Geneva Show-stopping Trepiùno concept car, will all make their UK public debuts at The Sunday Times Motor Show Live at Birmingham NEC, England, at the end of this month.

The new Multipla, which becomes available in the UK later this year, will be represented on the stand in left-hand drive form, and retains all the widely acclaimed attributes of the previous model: six comfortable seats, compact overall dimensions, a strong and individual personality; practicality, flexibility of use, versatility, and value for money.

It remains unique in its class as it offers ‘cutting edge’ features within an innovative structure, and is still the only vehicle in its market segment to provide six seats plus significant luggage space.

Though the new model has retained the winning structure of its predecessor, much of its exterior styling has been changed. Fiat Centro Stile designers worked on the front end to emphasise the model’s strong personality, while retaining the fun and informal flavour that has always been a Multipla strong point. The front is now dominated by the current Fiat family look that includes ‘techno’ headlights and a honeycomb patterned grille. The rear features new tail-lights and sturdy, wraparound bumpers.

The recently revised Fiat Doblò range which went on sale in the UK two months ago, features improved interiors, upgraded specifications, two new engines, and, this month, the introduction of a new Family version, set to become the most affordable seven seater MPV on the market.

Also from this month, the revised Doblò range is being further enhanced by the availability of Fiat Auto’s 1.3 litre 16-valve 70 bhp Multijet, the smallest and most advanced of the second generation common rail direct injection turbodiesels.

The arrival of the new seven seat 'Family' version further reinforces the versatility of the range, with the addition of a third row of passenger accomodation in the form of a movable and foldable two-seat bench.

Comprehensive levels of standard equipment have been upgraded. In addition to an existing specification which includes electric front windows, remote central locking, driver and passenger airbags, a height adjustable driver’s seat and armrest, and a stereo radio/cassette, Active versions now benefit from a 60:40 split/folding rear seat, a third rear seatbelt and three rear head restraints.

Family versions boast the same standard specification as Active models, with the addition of two extra seats, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, front foglights, along with colour coded bumpers and rear door pillars. Over and above the Active specification, Dynamic models now feature standard equipment air conditioning, a stereo radio/CD player with six speakers, 14" alloy wheels, front foglights, and colour coded bumpers and rear door pillars.

Fiat will also be exhibiting two versions of the award-winning Panda range. In securing Car of the Year 2004, the all-new Fiat Panda took the automotive industry’s most prestigious award by a 40 point margin from its nearest rival, impressing the jury of 58 senior automotive journalists from 22 European countries with a combination of design flair, interior space, flexibility, practicality, refinement and driving dynamics unprecedented in the sub-£7000 city car class.

Since going on sale in the UK in January, the Panda has been awarded a further three prestigious national accolades: Best City Car in What Car? magazine’s 2004 Awards, Budget Car from BBC Top Gear, and Design of the Year from Fleet World magazine.

Fiat will also be exhibiting a left-hand drive version of the forthcoming new Panda SUV, which is due to go on sale across the UK next year. This extrovert ‘off-road’ vehicle is derived from the Simba, a 4WD concept car that aroused much curiosity at the 2003 Bologna Motor Show.

The new Panda SUV has a two-tone body, as well as the equipment typical of an SUV, large round headlights and aluminium protective elements for the chassis and engine. This ‘all-terrain’ look is highlighted by generous 185/65 R15 wheels and a ground clearance of 170 mm. There are few difficulties that the Panda SUV cannot tackle, thanks to its permanent four-wheel drive system with viscous coupling and two differentials: the system cuts in automatically and enables the car to negotiate a maximum gradient of over 50%. The Panda SUV is the only small off-road vehicle powered by a diesel engine with a capacity of less than 1900 cc.

Designed by Fiat Centro Stile, the Fiat Trepiùno concept car represents the theme of ‘back to the future’. The prototype is a modern reworking of the cars that marked the first wave of mass motorisation in Italy. The car’s specific proportions and certain external traits give it a fun appearance that also convey a clear impression of solidity and durability. Due to its compact size and wide track, the Fiat Trepiùno is also distinctive for its sporting, dynamic appearance. Fiat Auto designers devoted great attention to detail without ever losing sight of the simplicity that is the keynote of the new car.

New materials technology has made the Fiat Trepiùno the first car to transcend the classic ‘2+2’ arrangements of certain coupes or open-topped sports cars, and also the configurations of many city cars that limit passenger room to just two seats in the front. Trepiùno has thus made it possible for the 3+1 concept to be introduced for cars with restricted rear space. This has been achieved through an innovative structure, able to adapt to the most common transport needs and satisfy the greatest number of users: 2 seats, 3 seats, or 3+1 emergency seat. The new Fiat prototype thus connects the boot compartment to the facia by means of a set of possible conversions that effectively make the interior fully reconfigurable. An original design, then, to meet a new post-modern consumer trend that reworks retro shapes and styles to meet present-day needs.

Also on the stand will be the new Fiat Idea, which is Fiat Auto’s first entry in the mini-MPV market, a segment which is now being targeted by most major car manufacturers.

Benefiting from the company’s unrivalled expertise in the field of small cars, the new Fiat Idea is a class-leading, up-to-the-minute vehicle with all the versatility and practicality demanded by the modern family. Its inspired design means that although its exterior dimensions are only marginally bigger than the average supermini, its interior space is enormous, whilst its clever seating arrangements and well thought out storage facilities will prove to be a boon to all those confronted with the problems of family life on the move. Two versions of the Idea will be on the Fiat stand.

Three versions of the recently revised Stilo range will also be on show. The new range features a revised model line-up offering eight new versions, new styling for the 5-door, new colours, revised interiors, a new engine and transmission, and enhanced standard equipment levels.

Even at entry level, standard equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board. This includes Dualdrive electric power steering, ‘My Car’ function customisation, front and side airbags, electric windows, remote central locking, ‘Follow Me Home’ headlamps and electric child security locks.

The Fiat Stilo is unique to the C-segment in offering two distinct body styles, reflecting the diverse tastes and needs of both 3-door and 5-door customers, as well as an estate version, (Multi Wagon), boasting class leading luggage capacity.

Elsewhere on the stand, Fiat Auto is exhibiting two versions of the highly successful Punto, an automatic version of Fiat Auto’s stylish Ulysse MPV, and a Stilo Rally car, examples of which are currently competing in the UK in the single marque Fiat Stilo Rally Cup. These Stilo competition cars are factory prepared in Italy, and run in Group A trim, using a 187 bhp 1.8-litre engine with front-wheel drive.

On another part of the stand, Fiat Auto UK will be emphasising its close relationship with Legoland^® Windsor through the appearance of a life-size model of a Ferrari Formula One car. Built with 146,000 LEGO^® bricks, a team of 14 LEGO MasterBuilders in Denmark spent over 2500 hours developing and constructing this 1:1 model.