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The Multipla
MY 2006 makes its debut in Geneva, with new styling that
is consistent with the family feeling of the latest
models. A number of changes have been made to this
appealing, friendly car to make the external styling
more attractive and to improve the quality of the
interiors in line with the latest market trends. The new
range now includes an original Emotion version with a
number of refined stylistic details which the public can
admire for the first time at the Swiss Show.
On the
outside, the new Multipla MY has a distinctive
‘Chrome-Shadow’ grille which reiterates the family
feeling of recent Fiat models, and the lower part of the
headlights is now transparent, a detail that enhances
the technological impact of these stylish lights. The
colour range for the paintwork has also been greatly
extended with the introduction of 8 new shades that help
to underline the car’s unmistakable, original design.
Styling details that make the car even more elegant and
up-to-date, and which are repeated on the inside. The
Fiat Multipla MY has a refined interior ambience, which
sets off the new furnishings which are more elegant but
remain informal and practical. For example, the
technological, modern look of the ‘stainless steel’
fabrics that upholster the seats, door panels and facia
(available in light blue and sand); the special
chromatic treatment (anthracite) for the facia, the
upholstery of the lower part of the door panels, the
carpets and plastic elements; and finally, the graphics
of the instrument panel are also new.
Obviously all the strong points of the existing model
have been retained: six comfortable seats and the
compactness of a saloon; a strong personality that
stands out in today’s motoring scene; flexible use and
extraordinary versatility. The Multipla MY is a car with
a style all of its own, Fiat’s reply to the demand for
plenty of interior space in a car that is little more
than four metres long; in fact it is the only car in
this market bracket that can guarantee a 3+3 seat layout
as well as a capacious luggage compartment. And the
model’s particular architecture ensures that it handles
like an MPV in every respect, thanks to the extra height
compared to segment B and C cars, which modifies the
driver’s sitting position with respect to the road,
making for easier access and better domination of the
road. For this reason, this appealing people-mover
provides a unique interpretation of the themes of
styling, versatility, interior space and environmental
friendliness. And it does so by proposing extremely
‘intelligent’ solutions in the fields of ergonomics, use
of space and engineering.
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The Multipla MY Emotion which will be exhibited in
Geneva next week also proposes dual methane and
petrol fuel feed, with two independent systems. |
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The Multipla MY 2006 will make its
debut in Geneva next week, with new styling that is
consistent with the family feeling of the latest models,
while the example on show will be fitted with a dual
methane and petrol fuel feed. |
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On the stand is an Emotion version, with Vasari Pearl
exterior paintwork, 17” alloys and polished black window
and mirror frames. Inside it features refined two-tone
(cream and black) leather upholstered seats, and black
leather on the steering wheel and gear lever knob. What
is more, the Multipla MY Emotion which will be exhibited
in Geneva also proposes dual methane and petrol fuel
feed, with two independent systems. It normally runs on
methane, only using the petrol supply during the
ignition stage, transferring immediately and
automatically to the other system. This ensures that the
petrol supply system is kept efficient, and it only
intervenes when the gas in the cylinders is almost
finished. However the driver can change from methane to
petrol and back again whenever he wishes, by pressing a
button on the facia.
The engine that powers the Multipla MY Natural Power is
a 1.6 Torque 16-valve unit that adopts a phased
sequential Multipoint system. This is a technical
feature that enables the engine to obtain the same
advantages as a petrol engine even with a methane
supply. The car guarantees excellent driveability: with
the methane supply, the maximum power output is 68 kW
(92 bhp) at 5750 rpm, with torque of 130 Nm (13.3 kgm)
at 4000 rpm. When it is running on petrol, these values
are 76 kW (103 bhp) at 5750 rpm and 145 Nm (14.8 kgm) at
4000 rpm respectively.
What is more, the Natural Power version is very
fuel-efficient and emissions are also safe and minimal.
This permits the motorist to drive even in areas of the
town where traffic is restricted (because of an excess
of polluting emissions), and to park it even in a
lock-up. What about consumption? With methane drive, the
Multipla Natural Power returns
7.5 kg/100 km
(on the urban cycle),
5.0 kg/100 km (out of town) and
5.9 kg/100 km
(on the combined cycle); with petrol (the tank holds 38
litres), the values are 11.9 l/100 km, 7.5 l/100 km and
9.1 l/100 km. The natural gas is stored in three steel
cylinders under the floorpan, which have a total
capacity of 164 litres and can contain 26 kg of methane,
guaranteeing a maximum range of 520 kilometres (440
km in the combined cycle and 345 km in the urban cycle).
On top of which, performance is very good: the new
environment-friendly Multipla has a top speed of 168
km/h running on petrol (157 km/h with methane), and
accelerates from 0 a 100 km/h in 13.5 seconds (petrol)
or 16 seconds (methane).
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