Fiat Multipla

First series Multipla (rear)

The exterior and interior design of the Multipla were displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York during its "Different Roads – Automobiles for the Next Century" exhibition in 1999.[3]

It won the Top Gear Car of the Year (2000), as well as the "Ugliest Car" in the same programme's awards. It was also voted Top Gear Magazine's Family Car of the Year for four years in a row, from 2001 to 2004. In July 2000, in the series finale of Clarkson's Car Years, it was awarded "Family Car of the Moment".

In March 2004, upon its subsequent restyling, The Telegraph reported designers were "desperately sad that the new Multipla no longer resembles a psychotic cartoon duck," and "while passengers loved the adaptability of the clever interior, they were less keen on the sarcastic sneers and derisive laughter of their neighbours, friends and schoolmates; children can be cruel."[4]

Multipla sales began in Italy in January 1999, but most other markets had to wait another year before receiving imports. The Multipla sold well with Italian buyers, but sales elsewhere were less successful. In June 2004, the Multipla underwent a major facelift, to shed its original styling for a more restrained look.

This was under the intention of attracting more buyers, which made it arrive to critical acclaim.[5][6] In August 2008, The Daily Telegraph placed it #2 on its list of the 100 ugliest cars, saying "Derided for the blandness of its output during the 1980s and early 1990s, Fiat dared to start thinking outside the box. In this case, however, it simply added wheels to the box."[7]

The Multipla was also named the ugliest car of all time by readers of Car Throttle in January 2014.[8] In February 2018, The Sunday Times named it on a list of ugliest cars, saying "The tragedy of the Multipla is that its Elephant Man esque exterior enclosed a genuinely clever and spacious interior, and it wasn’t bad to drive, either. It’s a shame, then, that you’d rather walk than be seen in it."[9]

A 1.6 engine, that could be powered on either methane or standard petrol, was offered in certain markets.[10]

2004–10 Fiat Multipla facelift (front)

2004–10 Fiat Multipla facelift (rear)

• Multipla SX: basic model available with petrol or diesel engines.
• Multipla ELX: added Air Conditioning, Twin Electric Sunroofs, alloy wheels and electric rear windows, as well as special wipe clean, brightly coloured seats.

In June 2004, when the Multipla received its facelift, these trim levels were later replaced with Dynamic, Dynamic Family, Dynamic Plus.

The new generation Multipla was praised by journalists at its launch for its flexibility. The Multipla’s three abreast seating configuration allows for adjustment of the front seats, and the removal and relocation of the rear seats into many formats. It also affords a big 430 litres (15 cu ft) of luggage space, which can increase to 1,900 litres (67 cu ft) of flat floor load space, with the rear three seats removed from the vehicle.

From December 2008 to September 2010, Zotye Auto had assembled Multipla 2 from KD kits, in its factory in Changshan, and marketed it in China as Multiplan. In October 2010, Zotye started to build a version of Multipla 2, employing more locally made parts in order to reduce costs; the new version is called "Langyue" in China.[11] There are 2 types: M300 (Engine powered) and M300 EV (see below) which is electric.

• 
  Zotye M300 EV (E300) taxi (front)
• 
  Zotye M300 EV (E300) taxi (rear)
• 
  Zotye M300 EV (E300) battery swap

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat Multipla (1998).

• Fiat Multipla Official United Kingdom Site
• Fiat Multipla Owner's Manual (1st generation)