| Fiat Multipla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| Also called | Zotye Multiplan/M300 Langyue/M300EV/E300 (China) |
| Production | 1998–2010 2008–2013 (China) |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Roberto Giolito at Centro Stile Fiat |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact MPV |
| Body style | 5-doorwagon[1] |
| Platform | Fiat C1 |
| Related |
|
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission |
|
| Battery | 35.2kWhlithium ion |
| Electric range | 125 mi (201 km) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,666 mm (105.0 in)[3] |
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,871 mm (73.7 in) |
| Height | 1,670 mm (65.7 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,300–1,490 kg (2,866–3,285 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fiat 600 Multipla |
| Successor | Fiat 500L |
TheFiat Multipla (Type 186) is a six-seater car produced by Italian automakerFiat from 1998 to 2010. Based on theBravo/Brava, the Multipla was shorter and wider than its rivals. It had two rows of three seats, where itscompact MPV competitors had two across front seating. The Multipla is shorter than the three-door Bravo/Brava on which it was based, yet it offered increased seating and cargo volume. Sales commenced in Italy in November 1998.
In common with a number of other modernFiats, the Multipla reused the name of an earlier vehicle, in this case the "Multipla" variant of theFiat 600 produced during the 1950s and 1960s.
TheBlupower variant was the first productionCNG-only car, using four gas cylinders with a nominal total capacity of 35 kilograms (77 lb) of natural gas to provide approximately 670 kilometres (420 mi) of driving range.Unlike most newer CNG-only vehicles (e.g. theOpel Zafira ecoM or theVolkswagen Polo TGI) that take advantage of an EU-wide exemption for vehicles with a petrol tank smaller than 15 litres (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal),[4] the Multipla Blupower does not have a petrol system at all.[5][6]More conventionalbifuel models were also available, either as petrol/CNG (Bipower) or petrol/LPG with liquid gas injection (Gpower).[7]
The Multipla was assembled and marketed in China from 2008 to 2013 under license byZotye Auto as the Zotye M300 Langyue, usingknock-down kits from Italy. Zotye also sold a total of 220 all-electric versions of the M300.
A first Multipla concept car was unveiled in at the Paris Motor Show in October 1996. The final production car was presented at the International Motor Show Germany in Frankfurt in the autumn of 1997.[8]
The exterior and interior design of the Multipla were displayed at theMuseum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York during its "Different Roads – Automobiles for the Next Century" exhibition in 1999.[9]
It won theTop GearCar of the Year (2000).[10] It was also votedTop Gear Magazine'sFamily Car of the Year for four years in a row, from 2001 to 2004.[citation needed] In July 2000, in the series finale ofClarkson's Car Years, it was awarded "Family Car of the Moment".[11]
Multipla sales began in Italy in November 1998, with most other markets receiving it a year later. The Multipla sold well with Italian buyers, but sales elsewhere were less successful.
The Multipla underwent a major facelift in March 2004, in an attempt to shed its original styling for a more restrained look. This was with the intention of attracting more buyers, but failed to garner critical acclaim.[1][12] Upon the subsequent restyling,The Daily 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."[13]
The Telegraph placed it #2 on its list of the100 Ugliest Cars in August 2008, 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."[14] The Multipla was also named the ugliest car of all time by readers ofCar Throttle in January 2014.[15] In February 2018,The Sunday Times named it on a list of ugliest cars, saying, "The tragedy of the Multipla is that itsElephant 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."[16]
A 1.6 L engine, which could be powered on either methane or standard petrol, was offered in certain markets.[17]
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 16V | I4 | 1581 cc | 106 PS (78 kW; 105 hp) at 5750 rpm | 148 N⋅m (109 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | 1998–2000 |
| 100 16V | I4 | 1596 cc | 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at 5750 rpm | 145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | 2000–2010 |
| 105 JTD | I4 | 1910 cc | 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 4000 rpm | 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1500 rpm | 1998–2000 |
| 110 JTD | I4 | 1910 cc | 110 PS (81 kW; 110 hp) at 4000 rpm | 200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1500 rpm | 2000–2001 |
| 115 JTD | I4 | 1910 cc | 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 4000 rpm | 203 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) at 1500 rpm | 2001–2006 |
| 1.9 Multijet | I4 | 1910 cc | 120 PS (88 kW; 120 hp) at 4000 rpm | 206 N⋅m (152 lb⋅ft) at 1450 rpm | 2006–2010 |
| 1.6 (Blupower) CNG | I4 | 1581 cc | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) at 5750 rpm | 133 N⋅m (98 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | 1998–2002 |
| 1.6 (Bi-Power) CNG | I4 | 1581 cc | 92 PS (68 kW; 91 hp) at 5750 rpm | 130 N⋅m (96 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | n/a |
In June 2004, when the Multipla received its facelift, these trim levels were later replaced withDynamic,Dynamic Family,Dynamic Plus.
The new generation Multipla was praised byjournalists 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 fromKD kits, in its factory in Changshan, and marketed it in China as the ZotyeMultiplan. 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.[18] There are 2 types: M300 (Engine powered) and M300 EV (see below) which is electric.
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Vehicles that can be fuelled with both petrol and gaseous fuel but in which the petrol system is fitted for emergency purposes or for starting only and the petrol tank of which cannot contain more than 15 litres of petrol will be regarded as vehicles that can only run on a gaseous fuel.
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