With all that can be said, there is certainly that Fiat Multiplalike car, like style, like concepthas the unique talent of never leaving anyone indifferent. While official rumors suggest that Fiat will use this iconic name for an SUV based on the Smart Car platform, the same as the Citroën C3 Aircross, the web has started to dream when looking at the recent concept from the French company ELO.
With his minivan shapethe stacked LED headlights and that six-seat configuration that smacks of a cabin miracle, the ELO seems like the perfect spiritual heir to the most polarizing minivan in history. Imagine the twist: Fiat could take the monocoque layout of the French concept to launch a distinctive variant, sharing development costs within the Stellantis group.
The visual appeal, therefore, would already be there, served on a silver tray for a new Multipla. The round LEDs at the base of the windshield are suspiciously reminiscent of the two-level headlights of the model designed by Roberto Giolito in 1998. With a few tweaks, such as the “pill” rear lights of the Fiat Topolino and vintage alloy wheels, we would have in our hands a vehicle capable of turning heads. Remaining, once again, controversial.
The real heart of the bet, however, is thepassenger compartment. The original Multiple (that one ancient) by Dante Giacosa from 1955 was only 3.5 meters long but accommodated six people. The 1997 version focused entirely on width, 1.87 m, to have two rows of three single seats. The ELO concept follows this “weird” but functional philosophy. Six single seats, central driving position and modular interior complete with inflatable mattresses.
Such “packaging” would require a dedicated EV platform, saying goodbye to combustion engines to make room for a compact rear engine and an urban battery.
Of course, reality will probably lead us towards a hybrid or electric crossover to compete with the Dacia Duster, but there are still those who hope that Fiat won’t just stick a historic name on any SUV. The true essence of the Multipla was not conventional beauty, but the courage to be different, broad and incredibly practical.
