► Fiat fully committed to micromobility ► New Multiplina four-seater coming soon ► More Topolino variants added
Fiat is plotting a future that sees it leaning into its small car heritage in a major way. At a micromobility event that crossed over between Rome and the Vatican, the Italian carmaker showed off new versions of the Topolino, new variants of the TRIS three-wheeler, and teased a forthcoming new Multiplina model.
Described by Fiat CEO and chief marketing officer of Stellantis, Olivier Francois, as ‘the missing link’ between two-seater quadricycles and proper small electric cars, the new Fiat Multiplina is the follow-up to the Quattrolino concept that was shown earlier in 2026.
Like the Fiat Topolino – and Citroen Ami – the Multiplina is a quadricycle, too, designed mostly for short-range urban use. However, a higher top speed and enough space for four people should expand its appeal beyond the mere novelty when it’s finally revealed in the, uh, plastic in October this year.
It’s tempting to suggest it’s because there are fewer (safety) regulations to contend with. But according to Francois: ‘Today, micromobility is more relevant than ever. In 2025, more than 120 million micromobility vehicles were sold globally – 120 million compared to 90 million cars.
‘So this is a really, really, really big market. Small cars, big market. And in Europe, quadricycles are the fastest growing segment. Two years ago we relaunched the Topolino, and it quickly became the market leader.’
Indeed, it’s number one for electric quadricycles in several European countries, with a 28 per cent market share across the EU. Fiat is clearly hoping to replicate some of this success with the larger and more practical Multiplina.
Francois has previously commented (at the launch of the electric Fiat Grande Panda ) that European brands have to use their heritage as a means of differentiating them from Chinese newcomers. The Multiplina is Fiat doing exactly this.
The name and the bluff-nose monobox form factor shown in the concept images both reference the Fiat 600 Multipla of 1967 – a car Fiat describes as ‘the original people mover’ for its focus on functional space in a small package.
That’s not to say style isn’t important, though. We were originally supposed to be seeing the new concept in person here in Italy, but Francois apparently wasn’t satisfied with some of the details. So we’re restricted to pictures for now.
The Multiplina concept proper will make its debut in October 2026 instead – probably at a standalone event, possible again at the Vatican, according to Francois, rather than at the Paris motor show – before going on sale in 2028.
Compared with the current Topolino, the Multiplina adds two additional seats, doubling carrying capacity to four and making use of a ‘space-maximising architecture’.
But as with the Topolino, the Multiplina meets L7 quadricycle regulations, which allows lower safety standards compared with conventional cars. At the expense of limitations on size and speed.
However, while the Topolino is limited to just 28mph, we’re told the Multiplina will be able to travel at up to 55mph, making it more practical for journeys beyond towns and city centres. Driving range is also said to be ‘extended’ to support this – the Topolino’s claimed max is just 46 miles per charge.
The Vatican element of the event was officially about the Pope’s city state taking delivery of 30 electric Fiats – a mix of Topolinos, TRIS three-wheeler micro-trucks and others – as it moves towards operating entirely with zero emissions by the end of the decade.
Fiat also unwrapped a pair of Topolino special editions, neither of which is currently planned for the UK: the Topolino Sport (definitely don’t get too excited about that – it’s just a styling package) and the Topolino Vilebrequin 2nd Edition. This has an opening canvas roof (somewhat less sophisticated than that fitted to the Renault 4 Plein Sud ) and unique details. Plus proper doors, which the original Vilebrequin variant didn’t.
There’s also a much improved new digital instrument cluster, a second standard body colour (as well as four new ones for the Sport), and a new Monsterlino sound system – a pair of tiny magnetic Bluetooth speakers made by Monster Cable. Essential, Francois thinks, for attracting the younger drivers of Gen Z.
They go remarkably loud for something of their size. ‘These little things are more powerful than the car itself!’ Francois… joked.
Is anyone actually asking for this? Aside from Olivier Francois, that is, who seems very keen.
‘You all know my dream is a Topolino Abarth,’ he said. ‘We are working on it. It may come. But for now we bring a Topolino Sport.’
Any Abarth version would surely need to have more sophisticated suspension than the bumpy cart ride that is the regular Topolino. So we won’t be holding our breath…
The TRIS also got a moment in the spotlight. Originally conceived as a zero-emissions commercial vehicle solution for Africa, the Morocco-built tripod is now coming to Europe – in ‘mid-2027′. Fiat having identified a market opportunity in the aftermath of the Piaggio Ape.
Deemed too expensive to upgrade to the latest European regulations, the death of the classic Ape – which had been in production for 76 years – in this region leaves, Fiat reckons, 300,000 customers looking for a new solution. It’s aiming for the TRIS to fill that gap, with easy charging via domestic plug, a tiny footprint suitable for otherwise inaccessible city streets, and impressive 430kg payload capacity.
A Dolce Vita concept passenger carrying version was on display in Rome, looking rather like a mobile beach hut. A collaboration between Fiat and Italy’s oldest coffee roasters, Café Vergnano 1882, is set produce a run of mobile cafes based on the TRIS, too.
The TRIS is still officially ‘being considered’ for launch in the UK, having made its public debut here at the 2026 CV Show in April.
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