Fiat Idea

Manufacturer	FIAT
Main type	motor car
Production	2003  to 2012
produced	212.005 (Europe)
Euro NCAP	4 stars
Length	3930  m m
Width	1698 mm
Height	1660 mm
Step	2510 mm
Mass	1155 to 1200  k g
assembling	Mirafiori , Turin
Style	Fabrizio Giugiaro

The Fiat Idea is a car presented by FIAT at the end of 2003 for the European market, produced at the Mirafiori plant until 2012 .

History

For the automotive safety, the small FIAT was subjected to the impact test by the EuroNCAP in 2006 , totaling the score of four stars 

Since 2005 it has also been produced in Brazil , where production has continued even after the interruption of the European model . The South American model is destined for the South American market and received a profound update in 2010 , and then a second and minor update in 2014 . From June 17, 2016 , the Fiat Betim plant no longer produces the Idea for the Brazilian market .

With the model code 350 , the car is the result of an investment of 430 million euros by the parent company for the design and industrialization. It can be considered the "sister" of the Lancia Musa as they share most of the components, as a small city minivan , the Idea being shorter than four meters presents excellent maneuverability in tight spaces thanks also to the Dualdrive electric power steering which minimizes the force required to steer, even when the car is stationary.

Despite having rather small dimensions for a minivan, it has a good interior and a comfort equal to sedans of a superior category. The space is very well used and the storage compartments are numerous; they range from those on all the door panels to the longitudinal one on the pavilion, the transversal one above the windscreen and the disappearing flaps on the dashboard .

The gear lever is short and conveniently manoeuvrable from its raised position; quick and precise. The instrumentation is complete with standard Trip computer for all versions and quite clear even if grouped all in the center of the dashboard. The shape of the three-spoke steering wheel is adjustable to both height and, in some versions, in depth.

It is offered in versions with petrol (from 77 to 95 hp) and Multijet (69, 90 and 120 hp ) diesel engines - the 101 bhp 1.9 is out of production).

It underwent a slight restyling in autumn 2005 , later renamed MY 2006, which led to the adoption of white front indicators , a chrome grille, rear lights with a chrome-plated central part, while for the richer version, the Emotion, new 15-inch alloy wheels are introduced. Inside there are some details finished in matt silver (on nozzles, storage drawers, handles and gear lever) and color of the black environment.  

With the MY 2008 , the Turin MPV receives two new exterior shades, the new logo that stands on a brand new front grille (recalling Grande Punto, Croma and Bravo), new 15 "alloy wheels, the availability of Blue & Me and the "Blackstar" equipment with seats in mixed technical fabric / Alcantara and vintage logo.In 2009 came the version 1.4 on petrol / LPG , are homologated Euro 5 the 1.4 16V petrol and 1.6 M-Jet 120 hp and larger rear view mirrors improve visibility.

The 2010 range introduces Euro 5 engines and the Stop & Start system on the 1.4 16V petrol and 1.3 M-Jet 95 CV and 1.6 M-Jet 120 CV. In 2012  for the European market, the new family emotional of FIAT : the Fiat 500L .

In 2010, only for the Brazilian market, the Fiat Idea received a profound aesthetic and technical restyling: the structural parts and related bodies remain unchanged, as do the general volumes of the car body. The most substantial changes are evident in the fully updated front, interiors and some technical solutions as well as the preparations. The model that has acquired the most personality is the "Adventure" version which now acquires an overall strengthening that follows the same philosophy as the Strada Locker model .  This model, after a second and minor facelift launched in 2014 , leaves production in 2016 , precisely on June 17th, together with the sisters Linea and Bravo. At the moment there is no heir for this car, but one of the cars attributable to the segment occupied by the Idea until 2016 is the Jeep Renegade .