The new Multipla-inspired concept could become a production family car in the next 2-3 years.
Fiat is considering putting its quirky Multiplay concept into production as it looks to bring something different to the already saturated family-car segment. Unveiled earlier this month at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, the unconventional vehicle blends an SUV with a pickup truck while borrowing the practical-minded philosophy of the original Multipla.
Unlike many wild concepts that exist solely to grab attention at auto shows, this one has caught the attention of Fiat’s new leadership. Arnaud Belloni, the company’s new boss, considers the Multiplay an important project for the Italian brand. Speaking to Autocar, he described the concept as “fantastically important for us” and “absolutely meaningful,” making it clear that Fiat wants to explore a new approach to family transportation.
“I’m absolutely convinced we need a family car in the range,” Belloni said, pointing to the Multipla as the only name that resonated widely with European customers in this segment. The original, launched in 1998, became famous for its unconventional styling and clever packaging, squeezing six seats into a compact body.
2026 Fiat Multiplay concept
Nearly 30 years later, the Multiplay keeps that same emphasis on versatility and gives it a modern twist, combining an MPV’s passenger-friendly layout with an SUV’s rugged look and flexibility. Rather than simply bringing back a traditional minivan, Fiat wants to reinterpret the formula with SUV-inspired styling.
Fiat design chief François Leboine sees the Multiplay as a possible “post-SUV” era, where buyers might seek alternatives to conventional crossovers without sacrificing visual appeal. The idea is to make an MPV attractive to customers who would otherwise gravitate toward an SUV.
A production version could measure less than 4.5 meters (177.2 inches) long, potentially giving families generous interior space without the footprint of a larger SUV. Of course, a concept car and a production vehicle are very different. Fiat must figure out how to retain the Multiplay’s clever features while keeping manufacturing costs and the final sticker price under control.
Getting there will likely mean borrowing existing components and underpinnings from elsewhere in the already enormous Stellantis portfolio rather than developing everything from scratch. Belloni cautioned that a production model remains at least two to three years away, assuming development proceeds quickly.
2026 Fiat Multiplay concept
For now, Fiat is still evaluating public reaction to the concept. The challenge is determining whether buyers are ready for something genuinely different or whether the SUV craze remains too strong to overcome. Either way, the Multiplay suggests Fiat is willing to look beyond the usual crossover formula in its search for the next big thing.
Whether it reaches production or not, the SUV craze must end at some point. Concepts like the Multiplay could help make that happen by giving buyers a compelling alternative to the usual sea of crossovers. If Fiat can combine the practicality and spaciousness of an MPV with the rugged looks people love about SUVs, it might persuade some customers to reconsider what they really need from a family car.
After all, not everyone needs an SUV, but automakers have spent years making us believe otherwise. The SUV boom has come at the expense of more traditional body styles, pushing wagons and minivans to the sidelines as buyers flock to crossovers. Although wagons can offer comparable cargo capacity and better aerodynamics, and minivans remain among the most practical family vehicles, both have struggled to compete with the SUV’s image.
Automakers have responded by cutting models from their lineups or replacing them with taller, more rugged-looking alternatives. Concepts like the Multiplay could help reverse that trend by reminding buyers that family-friendly transportation doesn’t have to come with an elevated ride height and chunky plastic cladding.
With Renault exploring a revival of the original Espace formula and BMW keeping the 3 Series Touring alive for a new generation, there’s still hope for a post-SUV world. It may be wishful thinking to expect buyers to abandon crossovers en masse, but offering more alternatives is a step in the right direction. Wagons and minivans never stopped making sense; they lost their popularity as SUVs took over showrooms.
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