FIAT MULTIPLATiming chain or Belt?

The Fiat Multipla is a C-segment compact MPV from the Italian brand Fiat. It was produced from 1998 until 2010. It had a single generation, although it was mid-cycle facelifted.

The Multipla was built on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo / Brava, and arguably was a unique MPV. It was shorter and wider than its competitors. Thanks to this, it was able to offer two rows with three seats, a very clever solution that made the car fit into practically any parking space.

The Multipla offered a wide variety of engines, including gasoline, diesel, LPG, and CNG engines. Among the gasoline options, there was a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine, while the diesel options included 1.9-liter JTD and Multijet engines. All powerplants were mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Multipla was recognized for its flexibility and practicality. However, this Italian MPV has gone down in history for its design, which, despite being very innovative, has always been the subject of mockery and memes in practically the entire world. Despite this, the Multipla was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York in 1999.

During the spring of 2004, Fiat tried to stop the criticism with a redesign of this MPV, where it obtained a more standard aesthetic. However, the fame remained there, and people continued to consider that the Fiat Multipla was the ugliest car in history.

In any case, the Multipla was a functional vehicle that stood out for being practical and compact. It was an alternative to much larger compact MPVs such as the Opel Zafira, the Ford C-Max, the Honda FR-V, or the Renault Scénic.