Bigger Panda brother
Idea. Intelligence. Design. Emotion. Architecture. Not that you think that an idea is ‘just’ thrown at you here. In 2003, Fiat launches its B-segment MPV, the Idea for those who find the then just as new Panda a size too small. We did this at AutoWeek with the small practical Fiat.
In 2003 the Idea enters a relatively new segment for Fiat. “With a Panda alone you are not there yet, and that is why it is now up to the Idea to steer the Fiat ship further on the right course,” we write. Despite the name, we are not immediately impressed by the design. “It could also be a German or Korean. We find the ingenuity mainly on the inside.” The interior is spacious and light in relation to the exterior dimensions and, according to Fiat, no fewer than 32 different interior configurations are possible. And then there are also 25 storage compartments!
Idea two grand cheaper than a Meriva
In 2004, the Idea entered a test against its biggest competitor: the Opel Meriva. It is also part of the class of B-segment MPVs, in which you will also find the Ford Fusion and the Mazda 2. We put the petrol models against each other and marvel at the external similarities, while there are major differences under the skin. “If you look at the cars from the side, the four side windows stand out as a common denominator. In terms of space for your family, we give the Opel a small lead, but in terms of handling, the Fiat can appeal to us more. Moreover, thanks to its lower weight, it can handle just as well with its 1.4 liter engine as the Opel with its 1.6. The Fiat is even faster at 100 km/h! And it also steers so lightly that you can park in the narrowest streets of Florence with the slightest effort.” For comparable versions, the Idea is more than 2,000 euros cheaper than the Meriva. That gives him the final victory, Opel’s handy FlexSpace rear seat can no longer do anything about that.
Ideal, of course, also with diesel, the MultiJet
Half a year later, we are also testing the MultiJet diesel. That is a bit disappointing to us. “The engine is state of the art… and 70 hp and 180 nm should not be wrong values. But the MultiJet still has quite a bit of trouble with the 1,200 kg Idea.” This time no flattery about a good power / weight ratio so … We are still pleased with the flexibility of the interior, but this version is not a winner. “Super complete but €22,400 is a lot of money. The Idea is a reasonably clever car, but the expensive diesel performs below par and that kills it.
In 2007 it was over for the Idea
At the end of its career, the Idea still participates in the rough-and-tumble trend. In 2007 we are introduced to the Fiat Idea Adventure in Brazil. We speculate whether Fiat will bring it to the Netherlands, but that is no longer possible. That same year, the Idea disappears from the market, where it cannot break any pots. But the idea was good. Incidentally, the Fiat Idea also got a fairly luxurious twin brother under the name Lancia Musa in 2004. It lasted until 2012.
16 years later, there are still a striking number of Fiats Idea for sale as used cars.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl