Fiat gives Multipla a dressing down

The uniquely stylish but daring design of the Fiat Multipla is to be toned down in the next generation if photos of the future version of the mini-MPV are to be believed.

The Multipla was almost unique among the cars on our road but its bug-eyed look fell foul of a general prejudice by conservative sets and was perhaps too retro for traditional family car buyers. As a result sales were less than enthusiastic in what was a growing market segment for the industry.

In the new model, due to be launched next year, the front has been re-shaped and the unique lighting cluster removed and replaced with a more Stilo-styled nose.

The front-grille and headlights will be also take a more conventional "normalised" appearance, though side panels and rear appear to be left untouched.

In terms of drivetrains, the 1.6-litre 103 bhp petrol engine and the 1.9-litre JTD turbodiesel with 110 bhp will be offered again, but rumours suggest more engines will be added to the range later and buyers will have the chance to order the Stilo's Selespeed gearbox as well.

Thankfully the innovative seating plan remains, as does the tall roofline and large amounts of glass all round to give an airy feel to the cabin.

The Multipla has won numerous plaudits from the motoring press over the years both here and abroad, with British motoring magazine Car claiming "the public don't know what they're missing".

But with the death of Renault's Avantime, plans to tone down BMW's controversial 7-series, this latest move by Fiat could be judged as a signal within the industry that, in these chastened times, car firms are shunning controversy. It's a trend that will not be welcome by car fans.