The Fiat Style Centre designers therefore decided to go for taut, clean lines and architectural shapes with a strong Italian flavour to make the New Fiat Ulysse immediately recognisable and give it its own pronounced personality. The result was a strong, spare front dominated by Fiat motifs, i.e. a round shield on a slightly oval grille with a honeycomb grid - and also slender, high-tech headlamps separated horizontally by a strip of bodywork. 

 The long side of the imposing, compact vehicle body displays lines that run crisply toward the rear and shapes marked by slightly angled corners. These also incorporate functional elements such as the door handles and side door guide rails for a cleaner-looking design. The main features of this aspect are long door mirrors that extrapolate the line of the wing and ultimately lead to the side turn signals.

Lancia motifs are again apparent at the rear, where tall upright tail-lights enclose a generous tailgate with a finely-balanced mix of metal and glass. The tailgate is a consistent complement to the oceans of glass on a body that ensures passengers on board the New Fiat Ulysse an ideal continuity of vision under all circumstances.

Inside, the model features a highly distinctive arched facia that runs in a slender line from pillar to pillar. This intriguing solution makes it possible to: foreshorten the facia by visually reproportioning it - while also creating an imaginative effect because the three big round dials appear to hang below the arch. The central console, designed to be practical and user-friendly, extends toward the passenger compartment to bring the gearbox, telematic controls and climate control system controls within easy reach of the driver. Style watchers will be struck by the unusual shape of the console while more practical customers will be impressed by new remote controls that are no longer located around the screen but away from it and close to the driver.

The seats add another dash of personality, with sculpted shapes that are less rounded than usual. This outline is made possible by a new in situ technique that achieves sharper angles while minimising the number of seams. 

Altogether, the New Fiat Ulysse passenger compartment has the look of a practical, modern interior designed to ensure driver and passengers alike an extremely comfortable drive. This sensation is aided by painstaking attention to detail and materials. Beginning with a facia that looks like an ergonomic control cockpit and is enhanced by two generous, cloth-trimmed compartments. Plus door panels adorned with a soft central insert that is also cloth-trimmed. Convenient grab handles on the central pillar make it easier for passengers to get into and out of the second and third row of seats - and the vehicle also offers a host of well-placed oddments compartments and practical fold-away tables behind the seat backrests. 

The new model also offers total protection as far as passive safety is concerned. Suffice it to say that it has passed the most severe crash tests and offers a wealth of standard equipment: two multistage front airbags, two front sidebags and two window bags, to protect the side passengers in all seat rows. And also: three-point seat-belts with pretensioners and load limiters (except on the middle seats in the second and third row) plus height-adjustable, tilting head-restraints (front). Not to mention an electric door lock system that can be engaged automatically when speed exceeds 10 km/h if required by the driver; electric security locks for children and Isofix attachments for installing baby seats with ease and maximum safety guarantees. In the case of a crash, the doors unlock automatically and the fuel flow is cut off. 

These are among the most advanced passive safety devices on the market today. On the Fiat Ulysse, they are controlled by an electronic control unit via a sophisticated nerve centre. This carries signals from various sensors throughout the car and the control unit then uses these signals to determine which devices should be operated. This configuration enables the entire system to behave like one intelligent device.

The new model also offers an unparalleled level of active safety for its segment. Beginning with a particularly effective braking system that ensures prompt, gradual deceleration and shorter stopping distances. If the driver suddenly puts his or her foot down hard on the brake pedal, an automatic emergency system cuts in that turns on the hazard lights as an early warning to cars behind. 

 The New Ulysse unveils the most sophisticated electronic devices for control of vehicle dynamic safety: from braking to traction. One example is the ESP (Electronic Stability Program). This innovative device cuts in under extreme conditions when car stability is at risk and also helps the driver control the car. The device comes as standard on versions equipped with 2.2 JTD and 3.0 24 valve versions and as an option on others to ensure outstanding performance and great driving satisfaction at all times. ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) is a highly sophisticated automatic traction control system. It comes as standard on all versions and works at all speeds to adjust torque according to the grip coefficient. The MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) cuts in when the gear is shifted down abruptly under conditions of low grip. This device restores torque to the engine to prevent the wheel skidding as a result of lock. 

Brake Assistance and ABS with an electronic brakeforce distributor (EBD) also come as standard on all versions. The former device aids emergency braking: it is mechanical on versions without ESP, when it is located inside the brake servo and takes the name of MBA (Mechanic Brake Assistance); on cars with ESP, the function is performed electronically by the ABS control unit and is known as HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance). The latter device is complemented by a sophisticated electronic brakeforce distributor (EBD) that governs braking action on the rear axle to prevent the wheels locking and ensure full control of the car in all situations. The system also adapts its operation to wheel grip conditions and brake pad efficiency to reduce pad overheating. The New Ulysse is thus capable of impeccable dynamic behaviour under all driving and road surface conditions. 

The New Fiat Ulysse comes with a range of four engines. Two petrol units: the 100 kW (136 bhp) 2.0 16v and the brand new 150 kW (204 bhp) 3.0 V6 24v. And two Common Rail turbodiesel engines: the 80 kW (109 bhp) 2.0 16v JTD and the new 94 kW (128 bhp) 2.2 16v JTD. All ensure outstanding performance, low running noise, great driving comfort and reasonable fuel consumption. 

Each has its own special temperament and a different vocation. We are therefore offered a choice of two power units built for peak performance and good running economy (the two litre petrol and diesel units). Plus an outstanding efficient unit that is capable of ensuring a truly satisfying drive in all situations: the 2.2 16v JTD. And lastly an engine that offers huge performance and - naturally - prestige: the three-litre six cylinder 24 valve unit. 

The 2.0 16v 
This 1997 cc four cylinder in line unit comes with an aluminium crankcase and cylinder head and develops 100 kW at 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 190 Nm at 4100 rpm. The timing system features twin overhead camshafts driven by a toothed belt. The multipoint injection is sequential.
Attributes of the power unit include a motorised throttle that allows the 2.0 16v petrol unit fitted to the New Fiat Ulysse to be fitted with an ESP device for dynamic stability control.
Other major benefits include particularly low fuel consumption. The figure is just over 9 l/100 km over a combined cycle, an absolutely outstanding result for the MPV category.
The engine is also very clean. An oxidising catalytic converter, EGR valve and petrol vapour trap allow this power unit lower emission levels than those set by Euro 3 standards. German drivers, for example, can even benefit from tax allowances introduced for cars that meet Euro 4 standards ahead of time. 

The 3.0 V6 24v
This is the engine for drivers who really expect the most from their car. In terms of performance, an arena where the 2946 cc V6 engine fitted to the New Fiat Ulysse ensures category-topping performance: 150 kW of power (at 6000 rpm), 285 Nm of torque (at 3750 rpm), 205 km/h top speed and just over 10 seconds to speed from zero to 100 km/h. 

In terms of emission control: here, like the 2.0 engine, this unit returns emission levels lower than those laid down by Euro 3 standards that allow it to benefit from German tax allowances for cars that meet Euro 4 standards ahead of time. 

And also in terms of technology. Because the 3.0 V6 24v takes the previous engine range one notch higher in the prestige rankings and also because it offers Fiat Ulysse customers a technologically sophisticated power unit.

The crankcase and cylinder head are in aluminium. The cylinder head is cross-flow type with individual intake ports for each valve (these are also variable cross-section) and fork-shaped exhaust ducts. Two of the four camshafts that operate the hydraulic tappets are controlled by the VTC (Variable Timing Camshaft) that provides an angular phasing of 30° in relation to the crankshaft.

The throttle is controlled electronically by the engine management unit to benefit driving comfort and emission control while making it possible to fit sophisticated active safety systems such as ESP. 

The 2.0 16v JTD
This engine offers the attributes of driving satisfaction and running economy. The 2.0 16v JTD develops a maximum power output of 80 kW available at 4000 rpm and a maximum torque of 270 Nm at 1750 rpm. Seventy percent of this torque is already available at just 1250 rpm. The particularly favourable torque curve means that the car can pick up even from low rpms without needing to change gear. 

This feature, coupled with hydraulic clutch control, a double damping engine flywheel and engine speed-dependent power steering (the steering is very soft at low speeds and gradually becomes stiffer as speed increases), ensures that a New Fiat Ulysse equipped with a 2.0 16v JTD engine offers outstanding driving comfort that is particularly welcome in town traffic.

The two-litre common rail turbodiesel unit also offers advantageous running costs. As with all engines of this type, direct injection of fuel into the engine at a very high pressure, electronically-controlled preinjection and special electrohydraulic injectors offer improved performance for lower fuel consumption, lower emissions and a considerable reduction in running noise. 

The 2.2 16v JTD
This engine develops 94 kW of maximum power at 4000 rpm and 314 Nm of maximum torque at just 2000 rpm. And 80% of that torque is available up to 3800 rpm. This feature, plus the presence of two balancer shafts, ensure this engine a roundness of operation similar to that of a six-cylinder unit. 

Another strength of the 2.2 16v JTD is its great respect for the environment. Because this power unit offers certain engineering features that are particularly significant when it comes to emission control.

The first is a sophisticated aluminium cylinder head that incorporates two intake ports per cylinder (one is a shorter helical port and the other is a longer tangential port) that ensure excellent air swirl inside the cylinder and thus improved combustion for lower emissions.

The second is the FAP, a filter that traps particulate and reduces fume levels. The FAP is located after the catalytic converter and made out of the silicon carbide. It is cylindrical in shape and consists of a porous structure made up of thousands of tiny channels. When exhaust gas is forced through these channels (they are closed off in alternation), it deposits particulate on their inside walls.

Every 400-500 kilometres, two sensors located before and after the FAP warn that the filter must be regenerated by burning off the accumulated particulate. The operation is carried out by post-combustion of the fuel (this takes place first in the exhaust and then in the cylinder) and an additional complementary post-combustion by an oxidising catalytic converter located upstream of the filter.

GEARBOXES 

The engines fitted to the New Fiat Ulysse are matched with four gearboxes, two manual and two automatic. These ensure smooth operation and maximum driving comfort under all driving conditions while also effectively transferring the power generated by the engine to the ground. 

One of the two manual gearboxes is reserved for the 2.0 16v petrol engine, the other for the two turbodiesels: the 2.0 16v JTD and the 2.2 16v JTD. The first of the automatic gearboxes is fitted to the two litre version, in petrol and turbodiesel configurations, while the second is only for the 3.0 V6 24v version. Both automatic gearboxes also adopt different operating strategies. 

The unit fitted to the petrol-driven 2.0 16v and 2.0 16v JTD comes with an electronically-controlled self-adaptive program that can adjust to the driver's style, road profile and vehicle load. And also a sequential program that the driver can use to shift gear personally by means of a selector lever that acts as a joystick (push up to change up, down to change down).

The sophisticated electronic automatic transmission developed for the Ulysse 3.0 V6 24v comes with three programs (self-adaptive, sport and snow). 

SUSPENSION 

The New Fiat Ulysse suspension maintains the tried and tested configuration used on the previous vehicle (MacPherson at the front and deformable beam at the rear) but interpreted in the light of the most sophisticated, advanced technical, quality and performance standards. The suspension therefore ensures outstanding travelling comfort combined with willing, sincere dynamic behaviour (the car's behaviour in slaloms and the so-called moose test is particularly outstanding).

Attributes of the revised suspension configuration include the elimination of roll, extra braking efficiency and one of the best turning circles in the segment (10.92 m).

The model passenger compartment has been painstakingly outfitted for rational practicality and it also meets specific modularity standards. Take the seats for example. The front ones, for example, are especially comfortable and all-embracing and can, as an option, be fitted with a heater and electric adjustment system. The driver's seat can also be optionally fitted with a memory that allows you to store personal seat settings by pressing one key. If you want, the front seats can even come in a swivelling version: simply turn them through 180° to make a veritable lounge out of the back seats. 

Back seat passengers are also assured comfort and a gratifying sense of well-being, with real armchairs fitted with head-restraints that ensure outstanding comfort without affecting the driver's visibility. According to your transport needs, these may be folded flat to the floor, folded in two or whisked easily away to create a single load compartment. 

Not to mention the numerous storage compartments arranged exactly where your hand goes instinctively to search for them. They include three closed compartments and one open compartment, a compartment for sunglasses, 11 glass/can holders, 4 bottle holders plus 3 can holders in the cooled area of the central console, 4 compartments for magazines and road maps, a drawer beneath the driver's seat, a movable refuse container and an umbrella holder in the rigid rear parcel rack. This cosy environment is also easily accessible through big front doors that offer a wide opening both at the intermediate setting and when flung to their fullest extent. The two side doors are also sliding and light to manoeuvre. They offer a wide aperture to allow you to get into the passenger compartment quickly and easily even when the vehicle is crammed into a tight spot. They also mean the seats can be removed and refitted with ease. Higher specification versions may also be fitted with electric side doors as an option. 

On-board well-being also means the ability to enjoy an ideal climate inside the vehicle. The New Ulysse therefore comes with a sophisticated system that automatically controls temperature, air flow, air distribution, compressor activation and recirculation via an electronic control unit. The New Fiat Ulysse climate control system is also bi-zone because it ensures different air temperatures and distribution patterns in the various parts of the car simultaneously: one microclimate for the driver and another for the passenger. The system is fitted as standard throughout the range, but high specification versions also come with additional fans and rear controls that allow passengers in the second and third row to control air distribution. Both climate control systems include an active carbon filter that reduces polluting substances and absorbs unpleasant smells.

Driving satisfaction, travelling satisfaction. The New Fiat Ulysse is unrivalled in this field too and offers, as standard, a range of devices specially designed for a supremely comfortable drive. These include sophisticated xenon headlamps with automatic alignment corrector. Automatic headlamps that come on as dusk falls or when you drive into a tunnel. Automatic windscreen wipers that come on by themselves when it starts to rain. Proximity sensors that aid parking manoeuvres. A deflation sensor that notifies the driver of punctures or loss of tyre pressure. The New Fiat Ulysse also offers an optional Cruise Control system for a comfortable, stress-free drive. This maintains a cruising speed set by the driver automatically without the driver having to press the accelerator pedal. 

Lastly, a host of great little features have been added to simplify in-car living: from smart windscreen wipers to follow-me-home lights and puddle lights. The car can also be fitted as an option with an electrochromic interior rear view mirror that automatically turns the mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps of cars behind. 

The equipment on the Fiat MPV is complemented by a radio with CD player (standard) and CONNECT (optional). The CONNECT system is the most advanced integrated infotelematic device on the market at present and the one that offers the greatest number of functions and services. The system offers so much that it is destined to make the idea of a car journey as a period of detachment from everyday activities and habits a thing of the past. Instead a car journey will become a time in our day that allows us to maintain contact with the outside world and even offer a few extra opportunities. And all at the press of a single key. Sophisticated technology that is easy to use and always ready to serve the driver.

The CONNECT system, located in the centre of the facia, acts as an on-board assistant that can be asked to make a phone call, put on some music or take a memo. All you have to do is operate the remote controls located on the unusually-shaped central console, when the screen shows a detailed picture of your requirements. The resulting device is full of functions, comes at an advantageous price and is, above all, as easy to use as one would expect of latest-generation technology.

 CONNECT offers something more than its competitors. In other words, the possibility of talking to a real live person, namely a call centre operator who is ready to provide information, solve problems and offer the wide range of services available from Targasys. To gain access to this new world of services, all you have to do is press the green CONNECT key that will put you in touch with one of the 750 operators at the Arese Contact Centre, a veritable service and information factory that works 365 days a year and can speak no fewer than 14 languages. 

The infotelematic device comes in CONNECT and CONNECT NAV configurations. The first level offers: RDS radio with CD-ROM player, dual band GSM phone with handsfree unit, voice commands for radio and phone, CONNECT button for connecting to the Contact Centre and a monochrome LCD display. The second level offers all this plus a pictogram navigation system. 

The New Fiat Ulysse is also designed to take a 7" colour screen that may be fitted in the middle of the ceiling over the first row of seats. The monitor can be swung away out of sight and may be connected to a DVD player or Play Station.

These interior dimensions give a sense of the great space offered by the New Ulysse and the rational, rigorous way that the relationship between exterior dimensions and interior volume has been resolved. 

10.03.2002  FIAT ULYSSE MPV AT THE 2002 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW