Sci-fi Fiat

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Fiat is making no apologies for the Multipla, its award-winning mini people-mover named after the original 1956 design. Yes, it is odd-looking. Yes, it has an exciting interior. Yes, it is well-priced. No, it's not for everyone.

The vehicle some said was inspired by the classic Italian coffeepot goes on sale in New Zealand this month, on special order only.

The Fiat agents, Azzurra Motor Group, wheeled the first demonstration model out of its hiding place in Mt Wellington 48 hours ago. No New Zealand motoring writer has yet driven it.

"We haven't finalised pricing yet but we hope to be able to sell the entry level SX Multipla for around $35,000," company marketing manager Richelle Ashman said. A better-equipped ELX will also be available.

"We want to get a feel for the market for it in New Zealand. The advertising campaign for the Multipla in Britain and Europe builds on the fact that it is odd-looking and not for everyone. We want to do the same here."

The Multipla is indeed an individual in a world of lookalikes, one reason why much praise has been heaped on it in Britain and Europe. "The most innovating and exciting car in the class — the pinnacle of fun, safe, comfortable family motoring," Autocar magazine said.

The BBC's Top Gear programme, naming the Multipla the winner of its mini people-mover category, said: "It's not exactly what you would call conventional, is it? We admire Fiat's corporate nerve for putting a thing that looks like the Multipla on to the mainstream market.

"This is exactly the car that Darth and the Vader family would drive around in — especi-
ally given the sci-fi flavour of the dash. The central command tower that dominates the fascia looks like it might have been inspired by the evil one's fetching headgear."

But the Multipla is much more than an oddball vehicle out on a futuristic limb. It is fascinating to look at, conventional from the waist down and unconventional from the waist up, thanks to its high roofline and protruding wraparound windscreen.

But it is the way of the future for Fiat, in that its flexible spaceframe design will form the basis for further projects.

Fiat's designers set out to build a Multipla which would be more adaptable than the 40-year-old original, seat six adults comfortably in three rows, store their luggage in the back and handle like a well-sorted modern sedan.

Existing Fiat platforms did not suit the design so they started from scratch, using spaceframe technology instead of a bodyshell created from a single sheet of steel.

The Multipla is built from separate sections of steel joined together to form a skeleton. The steel bodywork is then welded on in sections.

Fiat says the manufacturing benefits from spaceframe technology are huge, including:

q Reduced costs

q Greater flexibility

q A stronger and lighter bodyshell

q Higher torsional rigidity

q Better resistance to crash forces

q More effective use of space

q Less material waste

Both Multipla models will be powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine found in other Fiats. The 16-valve unit produces 76kW at 5750 rpm and 144Nm of pulling power at 4000 rpm and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the shift of which is situated on the dash like the Honda Odyssey. There is 1.9-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel engine available but it is unlikely to be offered in New Zealand.

The key to the Multipla's interior room is its 2.1m width, considerably wider than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The three front seats are identical, unlike other models which use a smaller centre seat. The rear seats are said to provide more shoulder room than full-size people-movers.

The car's width could be intimidating at first, especially for MPV owners accustomed to pumped-up hatchbacks.

But the accurate power-assisted steering helps the driver to overcome early fears of manoeuvring in traffic.

q The first Multipla prototype was unveiled at the 1956 Brussels motor show. It was based on the Fiat 600 platform and offered seating for six people.

Front occupants sat with their feet in front of the front axle and a further two rows were crammed in ahead of the rear bulkhead, behind which was the 600cc engine. Fiat took the wraps off the latest Multipla in 1996.