10.03.2004 FIAT PRESENT THEIR MODEL RANGE HEADINED BY THE TREPIUNO CONCEPT ON A WARM SOFT STAND IN GENEVA

Fiat have presented their line-up at the 74th Geneva Salon carefully spaced out on a roomy multi-level stand, with pride of place going to two concept cars, the tiny Trepiuno and an SUV-style Idea. These are joined in importance by the restyled Nuova Multipla which is making its debut at the Swiss Show.

The whole stand has a soft, warm feel and successfully creates a pleasant atmosphere from which to view the Fiat range, bursting with new models and freshened up stalwarts. The feeling is of a bright, exciting future as the Italian carmaker gets back to its roots and starts building cars that put the 'fun' back into motoring.

Wandering around Fiat's stand their heritage and history jump out at the visitor and nowhere more so that with the tiniest representative, but the biggest crowd puller. In fact despite being one of the most compact cars in Geneva, it is undoubtedly one of the of the biggest stars, the Fiat Trepiuno looks even smaller and more funky in the flesh than the first images had suggested.

The attractive concept exudes a nostalgic feel which is cleverly balanced with modern overtones. Its immediately evokes the famous original 500 the instant it is seen, and this heritage can be traced in almost every line and curve of a concept that at the same time looks both contemporary and forward looking. As befits this tiny city-style car, the Trepiuno is surrounded by a minimum of fuss, sitting cutely, on its own small, slowly revolving turntable. 

As Fiat rapidly move to freshen up the current range, the highly controversially styled Multipla has jettisoned its 'wacky' looks, the six year old innovative MPV aiming to broaden its appeal. In Geneva Fiat have presented the model with an up-to-date corporate face, very much in the style of the smaller Idea compact MPV. The sole model on display, finished in a warm and appealing bronze-orange colour scheme, sits on a revolving turntable opposite the little Trepiuno.

A second concept has been unveiled at the show, Fiat presenting the Idea based '5 Terre' concept, the latest fruit in its new strategy of maximising model ranges by producing niche 'fun' models. This project, which introduces four wheel drive and off road capability to the Idea, follows hard on the heels of the Panda 4x4. Fiat's designers have created SUV looks for this concept by raising the ride height, as well as adding deeper, bigger bumpers at both the front and rear, along with huge wheel arch, door and sill mouldings.

The 5Terre concept, positioned on a raised turntable, is flanked by two production Idea models, a year on since its first appeared in public at last year's show. Another model first seen a year ago is the Panda which is now joined by four wheel drive and SUV variants, both on show. One 4x4 Panda is mounted on a raised rolling road which rapidly itself dips and rises to create an 'off road' impression.

The Fiat line-up is rounded out by the Punto and Stilo. The Punto, facelifted last summer, is represented by a bright yellow Sporting, and a Multijet version with a clear panel in the bonnet that allows visitors a closer look at its 1.3 16v diesel engine. Finally the Stilo, in the mildly revised guise first seen in Bologna last December, is here in 3-door, 5-door and Multiwagon formats.