REVISED MULTIPLA RANGE IN UK

Since its UK introduction at the beginning of 2000, Fiat Auto's innovative Multipla six-seater mini-MPV has received accolades from all quarters of the motor industry media.

New versions have just gone on sale throughout Fiat Auto's UK dealer network, offering customers new product features, improved specification, an array of new options, and a series of attractive summer promotional pricing offers, starting at £11,995 OTR.

Enhancements to the range include body-coloured bumpers on ELX versions, remote central locking and alarm on SX versions, Smart 2 front airbags, improved suspension and new exterior colours. There are also new interior trims with a new design cloth for SX versions, and a velour trim for ELX versions.

The revised range is now available in 13 colours, of which five are new, including Indy Green, Pareo Yellow, Artemide Green, Antarctic Blue and Canarie Blue.

Ride comfort has been improved on all versions, and the driver's door window now has a one-touch close function as standard equipment.

Increased specification on ELX versions includes features such as a new lumbar adjustment control on the driver's seat, a tailgate with electric lock release, tinted glass, body-coloured bumpers and number plate holder, side airbags, and new design alloy wheels as standard.

The new tailgate's power lock is electrically operated and incorporates a sensor. When opening the doors with the remote central locking, simply touching the tailgate door handle will unlatch the tailgate for easy opening.

The new Multipla range also incorporates greater safety. ABS anti-lock braking, previously standard equipment, is now augmented by rear disc brakes on all versions. Smart 2 front airbags are also standard, and incorporate the latest-generation sensors that modulate airbag intervention according to passenger weight and mass, while optional roof airbags drop down over the windows to safeguard occupants' heads in case of side impact.

The rear seats have also been improved and now come with rear headrests that allow improved visibility during parking manoeuvres, and incorporate more supportive seatbacks for increased comfort. The new Multipla range is also fitted with ISOFIX attachments, allowing child seats to be attached easily and safely.

Multipla is also available with some new options, enabling customers to equip their vehicle to suit their own particular requirements. For example, a leather steering wheel and gear lever knob is now available, and the steering wheel can be ordered with controls for the radio, which is now also available with a single slot CD player.

The standard radio/cassette unit has been upgraded and is now integral with the dashboard, thus diminishing the risk of theft. CONNECT, Fiat Auto's unique communications system, which is the most advanced infotelematic package on the market, will also become available in Multipla shortly.

The revised Multipla range continues to be available in two specification levels, SX and ELX, and can be equipped with two engine options: the 103 bhp 1.6 16v petrol engine, and the 1.9 JTD common-rail direct injection diesel engine, which has been uprated to develop 115 bhp. Fuel consumption and CO₂ figures remain unchanged. Both engines provide low fuel consumption figures, outstanding performance and a refined and satisfying drive

Changes in summary

100 16v SX versions now feature:

• Over £200 worth of additional specification including:
• Remote central locking and alarm
• Smart 2 front airbags
• Rear disc brakes all round
• Improved ride
• New interior trim
• One-touch close function on the driver's door window
• Isofix mountings on the rear seats

JTD SX versions benefit from all the above additional equipment, plus the enhanced JTD engine, which now produces 115 bhp.

100 16v ELX versions now feature:

• Over £500 worth of additional specification including:
• All the additional equipment for the SX plus;
• Side airbags
• Body-coloured bumpers
• Boot hatch with power lock
• New driver's seat lumbar adjustment
• Tinted glass
• New design alloy wheels

= STD; l = OPTIONAL; - = N/A

Colours and trims

Multipla prices are as follows:

Multipla options prices

ends.

For Further information please contact:

PETER NEWTON Public relations Director

or

Puneet Joshi Press Officer

Fiat Auto (UK) Limited

Tel: 01753 511431 Fax: 01753 516871

e-mail addresses:

peter.newton@fiat.com/puneet.joshi@fiat.com

NB: Photography of the new Multipla is available from either the above contacts or from the Newspress website at: www.newspress.co.uk

31217/180702