27.03.2004 The Multipla, now with a fresh new look, has made its UK debut at the Motor Show live as Fiat's innovative 6-seat MPV aims to expand its market share

Just as at the Geneva Salon two months ago, the Trepiuno 2+1 concept and the facelifted Multipla MPV, headline a large display from Fiat in Birmingham.

The new Multipla received its world premiere at the Swiss show, and yesterday, it was seen for the first time in the UK, ahead of the arrival of right hand drive versions, expected in late August.

Fiat’s highly controversially-styled Multipla has now jettisoned its 'wacky' looks as the six year old innovative MPV aims to broaden its appeal. The model, now sports an up-to-date corporate face, very much in the style of the smaller Idea compact MPV.

Fiat UK are confident that the new model can become a genuinely strong player in the L1 segment. The Multipla has been continually praised by the motoring press for its use of interior space and comes out on top when pitted against its rivals. However the car buying public has never taken to its individual looks, and this fresh new appearance it is hoped, will reverse this.

Just 558 Multipla MPVs rolled out of the dealerships up to the end of April this year in the UK, a figure which is roughly on par with 2003. In contrast, the segment's leading contenders, the Vauxhall Zafira, Renault Scenic and Citroen Xsara Picasso, sold in the same period, 17775, 13253 and 13740 units respectively, while the fourth and fifth best sellers, the Ford C-Max and VW Touran are new entrants into the mid size MPV class. Other bit players include the Mercedes A-Class, Mitsubishi Space Star, Toyota Corolla Verso and Chrysler PT Cruiser.

It is a growing segment and Fiat UK are targeting a much larger slice of the action. With this new model they are confident that the Mulipla's benefits can be brought to a much wider audience.

The Multipla’s original controversial styling, which first appeared as a concept at the 1998 Turin Motor Show, rather overshadowed the ingenious 6-seat interior. The new model still packages their innovative seating concept and can accommodate 6 adults in comfort. The boot capacity has increased from 390 litres to 430 litres, whilst the car has gained 9cm in length. This is due to the new nose (headlamps, grille, bonnet) and rear (light units, boot).