Two years after it arrived on the European market, the Fiat Idea has gone on sale in Chile, the latest stop on a South American roll-out for this "mini MPV" as last November it arrived in Argentina. It was recently launched by Fiat Chile to the national press and Fiat's own concessionaries at the Aeródromo Lo Castillo.

The Type 350, or "Idea", is a 'mini-MPV' based on a slightly stretched Punto platform. Mechanically conventional, with four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines mounted transversely at the front, the new Dualogic transmission provides an interesting option, combining automatic and sequential operating modes. A pleasing and clean design, the car offers an exceptionally roomy and versatile interior with room for five adults and their luggage. It is in the latter cabin that most of the innovation is contained. The rear seats slide, fold and recline independently, the seat base being split 40/60 and the back 40/20/20 (the centre 20 also serving as an armrest). The front passenger seat folds to form a table, whilst numerous storage opportunities are provided and the whole vehicle can be tailored to the use required of it. Light and bright two-tone fabrics complement the bright interior, which benefits from an exceptionally large glass area and makes the interior a pleasant place to travel. This is especially true with more than two people, the traditional 'barrier' between the front and rear passengers simply not being there.

Items usually only found in larger cars are also to be found, such as dual-zone climate control, parking and rain sensors and a plethora of other features designed to make life easier while safety has also been a fundamental part of this model. The Idea model that has arrived in Chile though is in many ways a different beast to the one that is now a familiar sight across Europe.
 

Developed by Fiat Automòveis, the autonomous Brazilian-based arm of Fiat Auto, the South American Idea model uses the same chassis and bodywork, but differs in areas both mechanically and internally. Whereas in Europe the Idea comes with a choice of with the 95 bhp 1.4 FIRE petrol engine or the 1.3 Multijet 16v diesel (in either 75 or 90 bhp guise) the Brazilian-developed Idea is fitted with Fiat's 1.8 litre petrol unit which turns out 110 bhp at 5,600 rpm and 173 Nm torque at 2,600 rpm. This powers the Brazilian-built Idea to a top speed of 175 km/h and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 11.9 seconds. On the Chilean this is the sole engine option available. Further changes to this version include to the suspension and the interior, the latter which includes a whole new dashboard that positions the main instruments conventionally in front of the driver, instead of being centrally-positioned as is the format in Europe.

The Fiat Idea now goes on sale on the Chilean market equipped leading technology and safety features, including front driver and passenger airbags, climate control, central locking, security system, on-board computer (My Car), electric windows, Fiat Code, "follow-me-home" lights, radio with MP3 fitment, rain and parking sensors, reinforced chassis structure and anti-fire system.

It will be available in two formats: with a standard roof (Chilean $7,290) or with Fiat's SkyDome all-glass "panoramic" roof (Chilean $7,790). Meanwhile Fiat Automòveis are working on an "Adventure" version of the Idea while will offer off-road pretensions in a style similar to that which was seen on the Idea 5Terre, a well-received show car presented by Fiat at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004.