Fiat Ulysse to debut at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show

Feb 26, 2002 - Making it's debut at Geneva is the Fiat Ulysse, replacing the current model introduced at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. The Ulysse is based on a platform shared by Fiat, Citroën, and Lancia, so the job of the Fiat designers was to create a shape that strongly typifies and marks out this vehicle as unmistakeably Fiat.

The Fiat Style Centre designers therefore decided to go for taut, clean lines and architectural shapes with a strong Italian flavour to make the New Fiat Ulysse immediately recognisable and give it its own pronounced personality. The result was a strong, spare front dominated by Fiat motifs, i.e. a round shield on a slightly oval grille with a honeycomb grid - and also slender, high-tech headlamps separated horizontally by a strip of bodywork.

The bodyside lines run crisply toward the rear with the corners defined by angled surfaces. The bodyside accent lines integrate with the door handles and side door guide rails for a cleaner-looking design. Unique door mirrors extrapolate the line of the wing and incorporate side turn signals.

Fiat motifs are again apparent at the rear, where tall upright tail-lights enclose a generous tailgate with a finely-balanced mix of metal and glass. The tailgate is a consistent complement to the oceans of glass on a body that ensures passengers on board the New Fiat Ulysse an ideal continuity of vision under all circumstances.

Inside, the model features a highly distinctive arched facia that runs in a slender line from pillar to pillar. This intriguing solution makes it possible to: foreshorten the facia by visually reproportioning it - while also creating an imaginative effect because the three big round dials appear to hang below the arch.

The central console, designed to be practical and user-friendly, extends toward the passenger compartment to bring the gearbox, telematic controls and climate control system controls within easy reach of the driver. The center console incorporates new remote controls that are located close to the driver.

The seats add another dash of personality, with sculpted shapes that are less rounded than usual. This outline is made possible by a new in situ technique that achieves sharper angles while minimising the number of seams.

Altogether, the New Fiat Ulysse passenger compartment has the look of a practical, modern interior designed to ensure driver and passengers alike an extremely comfortable drive. This sensation is aided by painstaking attention to detail and materials. Beginning with a facia that looks like an ergonomic control cockpit and is enhanced by two generous, cloth-trimmed compartments. Plus door panels adorned with a soft central insert that is also cloth-trimmed.

Convenient grab handles on the central pillar make it easier for passengers to get into and out of the second and third row of seats - and the vehicle also offers a host of well-placed oddments compartments and practical fold-away tables behind the seat backrests.

	Fiat Ulysse to debut at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show
	Click for larger images	Feb 26, 2002 - Making it's debut at Geneva is the Fiat Ulysse, replacing the current model introduced at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. The Ulysse is based on a platform shared by Fiat, Citroën, and Lancia, so the job of the Fiat designers was to create a shape that strongly typifies and marks out this vehicle as unmistakeably Fiat. The Fiat Style Centre designers therefore decided to go for taut, clean lines and architectural shapes with a strong Italian flavour to make the New Fiat Ulysse immediately recognisable and give it its own pronounced personality. The result was a strong, spare front dominated by Fiat motifs, i.e. a round shield on a slightly oval grille with a honeycomb grid - and also slender, high-tech headlamps separated horizontally by a strip of bodywork. The bodyside lines run crisply toward the rear with the corners defined by angled surfaces. The bodyside accent lines integrate with the door handles and side door guide rails for a cleaner-looking design. Unique door mirrors extrapolate the line of the wing and incorporate side turn signals. Fiat motifs are again apparent at the rear, where tall upright tail-lights enclose a generous tailgate with a finely-balanced mix of metal and glass. The tailgate is a consistent complement to the oceans of glass on a body that ensures passengers on board the New Fiat Ulysse an ideal continuity of vision under all circumstances. Inside, the model features a highly distinctive arched facia that runs in a slender line from pillar to pillar. This intriguing solution makes it possible to: foreshorten the facia by visually reproportioning it - while also creating an imaginative effect because the three big round dials appear to hang below the arch. The central console, designed to be practical and user-friendly, extends toward the passenger compartment to bring the gearbox, telematic controls and climate control system controls within easy reach of the driver. The center console incorporates new remote controls that are located close to the driver. The seats add another dash of personality, with sculpted shapes that are less rounded than usual. This outline is made possible by a new in situ technique that achieves sharper angles while minimising the number of seams. Altogether, the New Fiat Ulysse passenger compartment has the look of a practical, modern interior designed to ensure driver and passengers alike an extremely comfortable drive. This sensation is aided by painstaking attention to detail and materials. Beginning with a facia that looks like an ergonomic control cockpit and is enhanced by two generous, cloth-trimmed compartments. Plus door panels adorned with a soft central insert that is also cloth-trimmed. Convenient grab handles on the central pillar make it easier for passengers to get into and out of the second and third row of seats - and the vehicle also offers a host of well-placed oddments compartments and practical fold-away tables behind the seat backrests.