Test drive Fiat Multipla 1998 - 2004 Minivan

Glazun in Italian

Any of the Fiat cars can be called folk, whether it be a tiny Seicento or a much more impressive Ulisse minivan.

 

The machine, released under the FIAT brand, combines the availability and modernity (sometimes even developing into avant -garde). This fact, by the way, did not remain underestimated: the Fiat repeatedly received the prestigious title of the car of the year. So this time, the Italian Fiat Panda again became a car of the year. An example of democracy.
 
However, in this case, we will not talk about Panda. Our hero appeared six years ago and still surprises the world car public with his appearance. Created on the platform of the Brava/Bravo family, the compactwane Fiat Multipla looks truly informally. However, the Europeans probably already got used to the multiple, but in our area this strange mechanical creature, met on the street, causes genuine interest.

  

True, to meet him, however, is not so simple, because this machine was not officially supplied to Russia. Nevertheless, we were lucky, and we still found one well-preserved multiple with a turbodiesel engine and a mechanical gearbox.
 
The appearance of Multipla is immensely original, and not everyone can digest it. The car is as if cast from two parts: lower, ordinary, with a short hood and a small rear overhang; And upper, bus, with almost vertically located huge side glass. These parts seemed to be consumed from different sets and settled each other somehow.
 
In addition, each of the parts already had its own headlights, and therefore you are impressed that there is a clear overkill with them here. They are everywhere: under the windshield and on a low hood, and in the bumper fog. A sort of funny glazing on wheels!
 
The interior of the multiple is no less original than its appearance. However, with all its pretentiousness, it is also practical, a rare, I must say, a combination. In many ways, the amazing functionality of the machine is the merit of the concept embedded in it. Reflecting on what a truly family car should be, the Fiatists came up with the following: you need to take six seats (and the Italians usually have large families) and put them in two rows for three pieces. The result was a wide, but short car compact, but at the same time very roomy. The floor turned out to be absolutely even, and each chair can either be folded in half (the dining table is formed), or completely out (free space is formed). With the complete dismantling of the seats, Multipla will turn into a van.

  

The one who is in the place of the driver awaits a whole set of exclusive sensations. Firstly, from the inside, the car seems very large, it is a whole merit of a non-standard car width. Still, there are three seats on the same time of the prerogative, rather, trucks or, at worst, American road dreadnoughts, and not a modest family Italian.
 
Secondly, the area of \u200b\u200bglazing multiple is such that you feel like in a huge aquarium. Sometimes it even seems that the seats are located above the level of glasses. This, of course, is not so, but the glasses are still so great that they can not even completely sink inside the doors. In fairness, it should be noted that the visibility of the driver's place is simply amazing.
 
Well, thirdly, a bunch of devices and mechanisms, dumped on the central console, in itself look like a perfect chaos that has nothing to do with the inner world of ordinary cars. There is something to be surprised. Under the speedometer, a set of heating and ventilation control handles, just below the lever of the mechanical gearbox, and the radio was sheltered to the right of it. Use your health!
 
For all its alternative, Multipla is more than friendly to the driver, the mutual arrangement of governing bodies does not cause special complaints. True, the joystick does not differ in short moves or clear selectivity, but you can come to terms with this. But the behavior of the car on the bends with dignity praise Fiat clearly licks the turn over the bend. The steering wheel is moderately acute and informative among the Italians, it is so opened in a century.
 
A turbodiesel with direct fuel injection, which Multipla is equipped with, in addition to the expected elasticity, also demonstrated good steep qualities. The motor is not spinning for nothing very peppy, not only by Wenn's standards, but also on a global scale. Yes, and the noise does not so hot which one does not want to find fault.

  

Despite the simplicity of circulation, you need to be able to ride on the multiple. We must be able to be in the spotlight, one must be able to have your own opinion, we must be able to laugh at yourself. And this is much more difficult than turning the steering wheel and trampling the pedals. Otherwise, this is a completely edible dish. One has only to get used to the sauce.


Text: Kirill Brevdo
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 

 


 
 

A source: Wheel magazine [No. 76/2004]