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UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE AND REVISED EXTERIOR STYLING
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around six passengers seated in two rows and their luggage; taking into account
their comfort requirements; ensuring that normal social relations can be
maintained within the group; offering the opportunity for an intense
relationship with the outside world - and ensuring the very best protection and
safety.
This was the approach adopted by the Fiat Style Centre when it first produced
the Multipla and it saw no reason to change it for the new car.
The revised MPV remains the only true 3+3 seater in its segment. The model
departs from the classic Multi Purpose Vehicle structure that envisages two
pairs of seats arranged in three rows to adopt six individual seats of equal
size, comfort and dignity arranged over two rows.
It therefore succeeds in maintaining its contained length (409 centimetres)
while also offering a luggage compartment that ranges from 430 to 1300 litres
according to the position of the rear seats.
The floor is completely uncluttered. The floor lacks the normal step under the
rear seat. This makes it flat and high enough to accommodate the components
required for minimum environmental impact versions (Natural Power) in the lower
part. The New Multipla is therefore the ideal vehicle for either work or
leisure.
Exteriors
Though the new model has retained the winning structure of its predecessor, much
of its exterior styling has been changed. Firstly, the Fiat Style Centre
designers worked on the front end with the aim of updating the model's
pronounced personality while retaining the fun and carefree look that has always
typified it.
The front is now powerful and spare, dominated by the current Fiat family look
that includes techno headlights and a round shield standing on a honeycomb
patterned grille. More specifically, the grille consists of a 3-D chrome frame
and a grid with round holes for a hi-tech look. Horizontal chrome friezes
supporting the central logo add a touch of class. At the lower part of the
front, the headlights extend sideways as does the air intake divided into three
sections.
The same stylistic consistency and harmony returns at the rear where features
include new tail-lights and sturdy, wraparound bumpers. A large central logo has
also been added to the generous tailgate where metal and steel strike an
excellent balance.
Lastly, the configuration of the vertical sides allows three seats to be
arranged on the same row where passengers at the sides have plenty of headroom
and do not feel a sense of constriction. On rainy days, you can also open the
door or lower the window without water dripping from the roof onto the seats.
Once the car has been parked for a long time in full sun, the practically
vertical windows mean that the interior temperature is lower than that recorded
for any other car.
The visibility toward the outside is improved and the eye can see the road right
up to the foot of the car (at the side, this effect is aided by a very low
waistline and windows that descend half way down the vehicle). From the side,
the new model offers the same impression of solidity and protection as at the
rear. Its most pronounced feature, however, is the combination between extremely
clean lines and certain additional style features. One example is the side
skirts that are now the same shade as the body.
Apart from anything else, it is always convenient and easy to get in and out of
the New Multipla. This has been achieved by adopting a completely flat floor and
locating the door side pillars as far forward as possible. The unusual door
geometry follows the winding line of the structural profile, thrusting far
forward at the front where the window is housed and then folding backward and
dropping down at right angles to the floor. No pillar is therefore present to
break the continuity of the glass surface and the final perception is that of a
structure that emphasises the protective function of the solid passenger
compartment as far as its looks are concerned.
The generous glazed surface allows you mastery of the road and a perfect
perception of the true exterior dimensions of the car. This is an extra safety
feature in town traffic and during parking manoeuvres and is further aided by
split door mirrors. The lower part of the driver's mirror allows you to monitor
the blind spot while on the passenger side it helps with parking manoeuvres.
Interiors
Design and innovation, style and character. All these characteristics can be
found in Fiat's most recent models and the New Multipla is no exception. Inside,
the same design philosophy has led to careful management of space, the
thoughtful elimination of all waste and the taking of all opportunities. In
order to arrange two rows of three seats side by side (all equally comfortable
and generously sized), the internal space taken up by the doors has been
minimised by stripping them of all service elements: armrests, opening lever,
etc.
The handle, for example, turns upwards and can be seen through the clear glass
when the vehicle is closed. A functional, simple and direct solution. The
freedom to move, take out and adjust the seats at will allows you to arrange the
interior into a wide range of configurations. The environment inside the New
Fiat Multipla promotes conviviality and conversation. It also allows you a
bigger or smaller load platform according to your current requirements.
The new vehicle also confirms the excellent organisation of on-board devices and
instruments that was already one of the strengths of the previous model. The
facia is conventionally a flat surface on which the various instruments and
controls are aligned. The New Multipla stylists approached this from a new angle
and made it more three-dimensional. The tilting surface looks like a work
surface on which the various controls, dials and useful objects are located
through the depth of the facia as well as across its surface.
They are arranged in accordance with criteria of strict rationality. The
designers considered the frequency with which they were used, the optimum
distance for easy reading and their membership of similar or complimentary
functional sets. The result is very striking from a formal viewpoint and assures
very easy, natural monitoring of the various instruments that are all easy to
recognise and read.
The instrument dial looks as though it is resting on the facia. It is located
slightly to the right of the steering wheel and tilted towards the driver so
that it can be consulted easily without lowering the gaze, just as you throw a
rapid glance towards your monitor when working on your computer. The greater
distance between driver and the device makes it easier and faster to read.
Air exchange and ventilation take place through a climate control tower that
emerges from the facia surface. The most important controls and monitoring
instruments are organised in a central area.
The gearlever, the most important interface in the ongoing dialogue between
driver and machine, is located on the console beside the steering wheel. A host
of storage compartments allow you to make the most of every corner of the
passenger compartment and find the right place for everything, compartments
above and below the facia and compartments below the sun blind; soft pouches
located behind the backrests and rigid pouches on each door; a box beneath the
right front passenger seat and also radio and phone compartments. |
