In 2003, Fiat launched the Idea range.
It was a small MPV based on the Fiat Punto platform. It was good to move people in or around town and it offered more interior room than its hatchback sibling.

After seven years on the market, the small MPV received a facelift that brought more than just a new look. The Idea had to be fitted with new engines, since there were newer, stricter, pollution norms. The Italian car-maker decided to change some exterior features of the car.

The Idea was built in Italy and Brazil as well. For the European version, the exterior changes were mild and affected the bumpers and the headlights. But it was not such a big change as those found on the Brazilian brother, which featured nicer headlights, extended and angled. The car didn’t look just like a pumped-up Panda. It had its own visual identity, while the European version did not.

Inside, the Idea was a good deal since it offered enough room for four adults. With three passengers in the back, it was more difficult since the car was only 1.7 m (66.8”) wide. The instrument cluster was placed in the middle of the dashboard, so the driver was not the only one to see the speedometer. The high-mounted gear-stick offered a good driving position. The Brazilian cousin had the instrument cluster in front of the driver and the gear-stick on the floor. The car offered 320 liters (11.3 cu-ft) of trunk space, but with the rear seats folded and tilted that value reached 1420 liters (50.4 cu-ft).