Eight years is quite a long life-cycle for a model yet Fiat has left is mini MPV, the Idea, which had also spawned the Lancia Musa, virtually unchanged since 2003, save for a minor facelift in 2006.
Now, according to a report from British magazine Autocar, the Italian carmaker will unveil its replacement at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales scheduled to begin in 2013.
The mini MPV’s code name within Fiat is Ellezero – but we’ll have to wait until Geneva to find out if it will be retained for the production version as well, which will also form the base for a Lancia model (rebadged as a Chrysler in the UK)
The Ellezero’s styling will mostly resemble that of the recently launched Panda with three side windows, while the front will reportedly borrow cues from the 500 premium mini.
The engine range will likely include the Fiat Group's 0.9-liter TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder and 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines, as well as two 1.3 Multijet turbodiesels.
The new model will be built at the former Zastava plant in Serbia, which has been acquired by the Italian carmaker since 2008.
*New Fiat Panda featured in the opening photo
PHOTO GALLERY: FIAT PANDA & IDEA
