Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen/Lancia MPV
by Sam Livingstone

The original, and rather 'van-with-windows', Citroën Evasion/ Fiat Ulysse/Lancia Z/ Peugeot 806 MPVs were launched eight years ago at Geneva into an automotive market that had yet to see the Renault Scenic and all of its Mini MPV followers.

The new car has had to react to the proliferation of these not much smaller MPVs, and has grown 30cm to be as long as the current long wheelbase Renault Grand Espace, whilst its form is slightly less conspicuously utilitarian.

Still available with a choice of four different noses with four different logos, these cars all share a lot of their visible architecture as well as almost everything below the surface, although there is greater differentiation between them than previously.

The Fiat Ulysse has a relatively busy face that is recognisably of the same stable as the Stilo launched last year. The Phedra has the post Thesis large traditional Lancia grille derived from the 1950 Aurelia which successfully avoids being incongruous on an otherwise anonymous design.

The 807 has the uniform Peugeot face and Citroen with the C8 has the most comfortable aesthetic of the quartet as its benign face comfortably blends with the rest of the car.

Whilst less 'van with windows' than before, the design beyond each specific corporate face is still no beauty, with a toe stubbed look from its front wheels that sit a few inches further aft that they want to and a conventional boxy midriff. With sliding rear doors and undersized (cheap) wheels, this MPV still has a distinct whiff of commercial vehicle when seen next to the new Espace.

Whilst the modern day Citroen genes seem evident in the exterior design, the interior appears a little more Italian. The central mounted analogue instruments are similar in concept to those of the Lancia Ypsilon and the control central cluster and gear shift are reminiscent of the Fiat Multipla and Doblo.

The C8/Ulysse/Phedra/807 is an important new car for several of Europe's mainstream brands. The cars' mixed genes may be responsible for their variable design performances, but they shall also be responsible for a cost base that cars like the Espace could only dream of, which means good profits for the manufacturer and hopefully good value for the customer..

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