In-house Fiat design won almost every competition against Ital Design, Pininfarina, Bertone, and i.D.e.a. during the 90s; Barchetta, Coupe, Punto II, Bravo, Brava, Marea, Ullise, etc.

The CEO at the time, Paolo Cantarella, pushed us to get more and more “out there” with this design. I’ve never worked anywhere else where risk-taking was so welcomed.

You’re right. I was there. We could have done a Zafira or Megan, but opted for love/hate, knowing that if we focused on the exterior, we would compromise the interior.

The chief engineer of the Multipla often said privately that the Multipla was like a house of ill repute. You didn’t want to be seen getting in or getting out, but you could have a great time inside. It was the most fun I’ve ever had creating a vehicle with an enthusiastic team of engineers and designers.  

Its a “people mover”, not an SUV or a minivan, or a blend. Please refer to Renault Megan or Opel Zafira. It does spaciousness and visibility exceptionally well.

They were high beams. Originally low beams were up there too, but in rain and snow fall, the reflection was blinding, so the low beams were moved back down.