Fiat is introduces a ‘Model Year’ upgrade to the Idea which sees the B-segment ‘people carrier’ receiving a host of internal and external improvements designed to rejuvenate the range and improve its feel.

Fiat is introducing a ‘Model Year’ upgrade to the Idea which sees the B-segment ‘people carrier’ receiving a host of internal and external improvements designed to rejuvenate the range and give it an improved feel. It arrives in the Italian showrooms this month.

The Idea, which is based on the Punto platform, was introduced to the market four years ago, as a sister model to Lancia’s Musa. It is positioned below the luxurious and highly specified Musa, and the new MY 2008 version will offer a string of improvements but without creating overlap.

The Fiat Centro Stile design team in Turin has been busy, making numerous aesthetic improvements to the Idea. It receives the new ‘family’ grille as introduced on the Bravo and Croma last year, its robust, chunky chromed slot-effect giving the small car a much more distinct and imposing appearance. Introducing the new pattern grille to the Croma late last year significantly improved the cars visual strength, an area it was lacking in, and its sales have risen since the revised version arrived in the showrooms. Along with the grille, the Idea Model Year 2008 receives the now-familiar new red Fiat logo for the first time, while distinctive new pattern 15-inch, 7-split spoke alloy wheels are specified on the new BlackEnergy and BlackMotion level versions. The external changes are completed by the addition of two new colours to the range, Avorio Familiare (ivory) and Rosso Ammaliatore (red).

Inside the trims and fabrics have been upgraded and improved. A cost-effective new special series, dubbed the BlackStar, will complete the four-specification levels available, joining BlackLabel, BlackEnergy and BlackMotion. This new preparation level is characterised by an elegant black interior which features the front and rear seats finished in Alcantara, with the vintage Fiat logo emblazoned into the front seats. All versions can be specified with the innovative Blue&Me infotelematic system, developed in conjunction with Microsoft.

The Fiat Idea Model Year 2008 range is equipped with three petrol engine options (1.2 16v with 80 CV, 1.4 8v with 77 CV and 1.4 16v with 95 CV, this last one also available with the Dualogic gearbox) and two with the highly acclaimed turbodiesel Multijet unit (1.3 16v with 70 Cv and the higher specification 1.3 16v with 90 CV). The last Multijet engine option offers an important innovation; it is environmentally conscious as it limits CO2 emissions to 120 g/km.

To coincide with the launch on the Italian market this month of the Idea Model Year 2008, Fiat, in collaboration with www.quimamme.it, is promoting the StriseRosa initiative (www.striscerosa.it) which has the objective of increasing the availability of free and convenient parking to pregnant women or those with babies. The ‘rose’ symbol is being promoted to denote points in the cities where mothers can have improved convenience through this initiative, such as parking facilities near children’s hospitals, maternity units, doctor’s surgeries or maternity schools. The innovation will spread out further to areas such as the large city squares and supermarket carparks. The parking zones will be distinguished by rose-coloured strips. “A small, civilised and respectful gesture that simplifies and improves the life of mothers,” says Fiat. Quimamme.it and the Fiat Idea Model Year 2008 will be engaged in the marketing drive of this initiative which is engaged in trying to introduce concrete solutions in order to improve the quality of life of those who have a child.

On the Italian market, where the Fiat Idea Model Year 2008 is now on sale, the range's pricing will start at 14,400 euros for the 1,4-litre 77 CV version in BlackStar preparation, climbing to a range-topping 19,800 euro for the 1,3 Multijet 16v 90 CV model specified in BlackMotion.