Fiat Multiplane Concept: New Electric Light Vehicle with 4 Seats

(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – The Multipla is coming back as a retro car. However, not the highly variable but also quite ugly Fiat Multipla of the 2000s, but the Fiat 600 Multipla from the 50s and 60s. The new version therefore has a look in the style of the post-war period. And it is not a “normal” electric car, but an electric light vehicle. A corresponding study was recently presented in the Vatican.

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The Multiplina Concept is intended to be something like a more practical everyday version of the small Fiat Topolino. While the “little mouse” only has two seats and belongs to the L6e vehicle class, which allows a maximum continuous power of 6 kW and a top speed of 45 km/h, the production version of the Multiplina is supposed to have four seats and compete in the L7e class. This allows up to 15 kW; there is no top speed limit here, but in practice about 80 to 90 km/h will be possible.

The new microvan was first seen at the Stellantis strategy event in May. At the event, where the Fiat Grizzly was also presented, the little vehicle appeared in the background on a chart. At that time, the new model was called Quattrolino:

Now the model is probably going to be called Multipla or Multiplina instead. The final name does not seem to be fixed yet, but Fiat CEO Olivier François has indicated that he is attached to the name Multipla and wants to bring a corresponding vehicle to market.

The Multipla or Multiplina is also supposed to receive more equipment; this could include, for example, a simple air conditioning system, which the Topolino does not have. A roll roof can also be seen in the picture. Like the Topolino, the four-seater will only have two doors.

The Fiat 600 Multipla, on the other hand, was a four-door with four to six seats. At 3.53 meters, it was a significantly longer version of the normal Fiat 600. Unlike this one, it was also a so-called “front driver”: the driver’s seat was moved far forward over the front axle. Instead of a front hood, the 600 Multipla had a steep front, which enlarged the interior. Because of this, the car is sometimes also called the first van in automotive history. This fits the images of the Multiplina Concept.

The car is supposed to be unveiled this fall, but series production is not planned until 2028, according to Autocar. The car is supposed to be about three meters long and thus have roughly the dimensions of the 1957 Fiat 500. Fiat wants to position the car between the 2.54 meter long Topolino and the 3.63 meter long Fiat 500 e.

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Fiat showed various Topolino variants in the Vatican and the three-wheeled light vehicle Tris reminiscent of the Ape
Image by: Fiat

In addition to the Multiplina Concept, Fiat also showed a new version of the three-seat utility vehicle Tris, which is supposed to offer more space and a larger battery for greater range.
The fact that the micro vehicles were shown in the Vatican apparently has to do with a new partnership: Fiat is supposed to provide the Vatican City State, which is only 0.44 square kilometers, with 30 electric light vehicles. These are supposed to be the Topolino and the Tris. The first 20 vehicles have already been handed over, according to Autocar.

More about electric light vehicles:

Microlino: Electric dwarf now at a bargain price in leasing
Linktour: Light vehicles in Smart-Fortwo format

In summary

Electric light vehicles are quite common in Italy and France. They are apparently considered an electric alternative to the small combustion vehicles from Aixam or Ligier, with which everyday shopping is often done in these countries. In this country, neither the fossil nor the electric mini cars have really established themselves. In Germany, a car must have a certain minimum size and a certain minimum comfort – at least many people think so.

However, light vehicles also have objective disadvantages. For example, due to their low mass, they are less crash-safe – in a frontal collision with a heavy SUV, one would likely be pushed backward, which puts a lot of strain on the body. Anyone who has ever driven a light vehicle also knows about the creaking and poor noise insulation. For electric vehicles, there is also no government subsidy. But be that as it may: the planned Multipla alias Multiplina alias Quattrolino already looks nice.

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Sources: Fiat International, Autocar