You laugh until you grab your stomach, see? You think the Multipla is a legend just because it is the ugliest car in the world according to many rankings. So I'll wait until you wipe your splattered monitor and remind you of my older list of the ten ugliest cars , in which the Multipla didn't make it. Although I thought about including the version after the facelift, because the modernization seriously does not suit it. But this time I'm really excited, because here stands the first version, yes, the sucky candy , the car with the tumor . And even with the most powerful diesel unit and in full fire.
Multipla did not have it easy mainly because of the appearance , although it was also awarded by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. And so even a strong marketing campaign with Michael Schumacher (Keep fighting, Michael) failed to convince customers of the genius concept of the six-seat interior . Furthermore, the Multipla won the Top Gear magazine's Car of the Year poll in 1999, and was repeatedly voted Family Car of the Year by the same magazine between 2001 and 2004. It's just that the car had a hump above the hood, over which the train did not go for customers. Even so, the first version remained in production for six years from 1998, after which it received a facelift of the front part, which is extremely unsuccessful. In short, Fiat softened and kept the boring second version of the Multipla in production until 2010. The name comes from the small 600 Multipla model that was produced in the 1960s. But the modern version was a regular five-door, six-seater MPV , which took over the platform from the Bravo , Brava and Marea models. The range of four-cylinder engines was also similar – 16-litre petrol and 19-litre diesel engines , which were always connected to a five-speed manual gearbox .
As I said before, I really like this Multipla. Yes, from the front it looks like it has elephantiasis, from the back it looks like a bus backed into a Fiat Bravo, but all in all it looks good . And in addition, the many details give Multiple a twist and point to its sophistication. For example, the rubber door handles are equipped with a protrusion that prevents you from smashing someone's door in the parking lot – in short, Italian simply clever . The vertically oriented mirrors are also great, reminiscent of scaled-down parts from the Ducato van. They have two reflective surfaces, so you don't have to constantly readjust them when parking. And that's a good thing, because you'll be looking for the driver for a really long time. On the door? No! Maybe on a fabric-covered deck? No! So between the seats, where do other Fiats have it? No! He is on the ceiling, where probably no one is really waiting for him. Just that ancestor, that one… Well, it's just a tumor, but seriously, in recent years I've started to like him in some deviant way.
The Multipla differed from the competition mainly in terms of dimensions , as it was wider and shorter than most competitors. It was even shorter than the Fiat Bravo, although it outclasses its smaller sibling in terms of interior space. And so it could have a unique interior concept with two rows of three seats. It is a six-seater, similar to the former Czech limousine Tatra 603 . But the car is much more thought out than you might think. The backrests of the two middle seats can be folded down and an armrest is placed on them. In addition to the six seats, you also have 430 liters of luggage space in the back. You can increase it to 1900 liters after removing the rear seats. Otherwise, the rear bench can also be clicked further forward if, for example, you carry children more often than adults, so that you also have a larger trunk. The middle seat even has up to three positioning positions. Inside, you sit quite high , this is also due to the higher floor . And last but not least, there is a huge amount of storage areas , boxes and compartments where you can stuff everything possible and impossible. I have the impression that if you stacked the contents of all the compartments next to the car, the pile would be bigger than the entire Multipla. And picking boxes before the sale will be hell, and you'll end up selling the car with so many forgotten personal items that the buyer will get a better idea of you than if they hacked your Facebook profile.
If you buy a Multipla, then only a well-equipped one. Unpainted bumpers and metal wheels degrade its unique appearance, the lack of air conditioning and electric window control would make your summer quite uncomfortable due to the greenhouse top of the cabin, and if the interior does not have a nice color combination, its uniqueness will completely disappear. Fortunately, we have a better equipped ELX model, which only shows its long-term service seasoned with high mileage . But it still doesn't lose its charm. The radio can also navigate , although the display is black and white roughly at the level of the old Nokia 5110. But there is also a ten CD changer . Of course, the quality of the plastics is a bit worse, but Fiat is still above average .
In addition to the variable interior, the Multipla has one more trump card up its sleeve – driving characteristics . The car is very pleasant and comfortable to drive, it is very comfortable . And you will quickly get used to the greater width and height thanks to the excellent view from the car. But precisely because the windows are so large, they do not fit entirely into the door panels, as is common today. This amazing Fiat could so easily become a good family car that all its members could love. That is, if they share my twisted tastes. And what I was very pleased about the Multiple was its sensitive steering . I don't know how many MPV drivers will appreciate this, but once you have it, you can enjoy it. But you have to get used to the position, which is very close to the left edge of the car (the passenger is on the right). That is why the typical door handles are visible from the outside as well. Then, when you drive as usual, be careful because the right wheels of the car will be close to the shoulders and curbs.
The fuel consumption of the four-cylinder diesel engine is excellent, and it does not force you to spin the dolls in any way. Around town for 6.5 liters is a decent average by today's standards and at the time of launch it was a very good figure for a boxy MPV. By the way, the hood of the engine is on gas struts , which pleases and is not obvious even nowadays. In summary, the Multipla is an excellent car , well thought out and revolutionary for its time. And even if everyone hates his appearance, I really like him.
