13.10.2004 Fiat presented a stand made up of fun, exciting AND practical cars at the Paris Motor Show as they go back to their roots: we take an in-depth look at the fourteen car line-up in France

The 2004 Paris Mondial de l'Automobile closed its doors for the final time last Sunday after two weeks that saw a seemingly never ending stream of visitors attend the prestigious bi-annual autumn motor show.

For Fiat Auto, it was a significant opportunity to present their now revitalised range as the giant Italian carmaker seeks to recover lost market share.

Fourteen Fiat models were presented on a colourful, vibrant stage, that successfully embodied the marque's traditional spirit of building fresh, fun and stylish cars that were always accessible.

This is now where Fiat wish to return, to principles that made it a European giant, exciting smaller cars for everyone.

The stand was split into three sub-sections for the Panda, Punto and Stilo, with the three model families being joined by the newly refreshed Multipla, this practical MPV featuring, for the first time, a roof lining mounted CD player. In concentrating on these cars no place was found for either the Doblo or the Multipla.

The Stilo grabbed the attention with no less than three new family member making their debuts at the long-running French show: the Uproad, Schumacher and Racing.

The unashamedly pumped-up looking Stilo Uproad muscled its way into the party, a vehicle Fiat hope will cash in on the growing market popularity of 'Crossover' vehicles, and at the same time give the Stilo range a slightly harder edge.

The Uproad is based the superbly space efficient Multiwagon. This model's rakish lines have make it one of the prettiest and most harmonious looking estate cars on the market. The new model beefs up this flowing shape, with big aggressive bumpers, body panels, aluminum protection plates, and a jacked up ride height.

The aggressive Uproad dominated proceeding on the stand, sitting astride a large revolving turntable in the centre of the compact display. Next up was the Stilo M.Schumacher, a special edition recently created to commemorate the German driver's latest F1 title.

It was carefully positioned so as to be located directly opposite Ferrari's display. The connection, between Fiat and their prestigious sportscar brand, Ferrari, is often underused by the giant Italian carmaker. However the symbolic linking here was a very welcome development.

A third new Stilo, the 'Racing' model, aims to be both a cost effective and sporty car designed to appeal to the youthful buyer. Finally a five door saloon, fully equipped, including child seats, rounded out the Stilo's impact-making contribution.

The 'Car of the Year award winning Panda has just been launched in 4x4 format, and this new model was represented on the stand by top-spec 'Climbing' model, finished in an attractive new yellow colour. This car was joined by a 1.3 Multijet powered light blue model, an attention grabbing, bright orange version fettled by Italian designer Alessi, and a second 4x4, this one being mounted on a 'climbing frame' that recreated the conditions the Panda went through during a recent trek to the Mount Everest base camp.

The evergreen Punto was represented by a stylish 3-door 1.3-litre Multijet-powered model in 'Active' trim and a gorgeous looking 'Abarth' branded rally car, finished in Fiat traditional yellow and blue colours.

This truly stunning rally car, it punches well above its weight, having, over the last few seasons, turned in many giant killing acts. A real focus of attention with visitors, it neatly summarises exactly what Fiat stands for.

In keeping with the fun theme, a DJ pumped out uplifting music, while a troupe of carefully choreographed dancers flitted between the cars. Simple, practical and effective style, features that Fiat sees in itself, was also represented by iconic Italian objects scattered across the stand. Respected brands, including Alessi, Foscarini, Flos, Cappellini and Zanotta, were all involved with Fiat in Paris.

by Edd Ellison