Alexandre
In a recent interview with podcaster Fedez on his show "Wolf", Olivier François, CEO of Fiatshared his nostalgic thoughts and future ambitions for one of the brand's most iconic models: the Fiat Multipla. In a 38-minute interview, François delved into the past to evoke the singularity and ingenuity of the Multipla, while expressing his desire to revisit this unique concept.
The Multipla, with its bold, convention-defying design, has always been a talking point among car enthusiasts. Olivier François described the car as "cracking", a term of endearment that conveys its special appeal despite, or perhaps because of, its controversial aesthetics. He recalled how the original Multipla could accommodate six passengers in a compact space, with three seats in the front and three in the back, a feat of engineering for the time.
What makes the Multipla so special for Olivier François is its ability to break traditional codes, offering a fresh perspective on what a family car can be. With a smile, he noted that the car was "ugly but beautiful", a contradiction that perfectly captures the essence of the Multipla.
Oliver François also referred to the Fiat Multipla 600 from the '50sThis attention to detail and rethinking of conventional design made the Multipla a vehicle ahead of its time. This attention to detail and willingness to rethink conventional design made the Multipla a vehicle ahead of its time, capable of comfortably accommodating six people in a format as compact as a Fiat 500 (editor's note: 3.5 m long).
The discussion between Olivier and Fedez reveals a glimpse of the design philosophy at Fiat, where respecting heritage doesn't mean remaining anchored in the past, but rather suse them as inspiration for innovation. We've seen it all with the new Topolino. The possibility of the Multipla's return is a source of excitement not only for those nostalgic for the automobile, but also for those who aspire to see the industry push its limits.
According to the roadmap Fiat 2029The most likely date for the car's appearance is 2025, since a compact SUV, probably a cousin of the Citroën C3 Aicross, is in the pipeline. As for the name Multipla, nothing is certain, because when we spoke about it with Guillaume Clerc, Fiat's product manager, it didn't meet with unanimous approval, between nostalgia and mockery.
PS: do you say the Multipla or the Multipla?
It's fair to say that the successor to the Mutipla was the 500L, which had a nice face and stopped too quickly.
As far as I'm concerned, all Fiat cars are feminine, which means THE Multipla. I'd love to see R. Golito's very practical, modular concept again, but given the cloning going on at Stellantis, Olivier François would have to enforce his brand. Sharing certain elements in an industrial logic like the Fiat 600e is all very well, but distorting the design (which is also functional) with a logo is a no-no... For example, Peugeot's famous gearshift or the i-Machins are a no-no, nothing beats a lever - albeit a reduced one - or physical buttons!
If you're going to put the Multipla badge on a rebadged Peugeot with a Puretech engine, it's best to leave the name to the museum.
Totally agree 👍
It's time to bring this car back to life
I sold some and it was extremely practical and the aesthetics have since been improved.
As special as the second Multipla was, the first is magnificent.
I still drive a 1999 Multipla. Daily pleasure guaranteed!