Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

The Fiat Ecobasic concept was styled under the same stewardship as the infamous Fiat Multipla, and so may be considered to be a bold, exciting new shape, or a bone-headed ugly design, depending upon which side of the fence you’re on. But like the Multipla, the Ecobasic was an innovative car with some very clever features. It had ultra-low fuel economy - around 100mpg (2.9L /100km), and an ultra-low price. If it launched today, it would cost around the same as its cheapest modern rival, the Dacia Sandero. So, what became of this funky car, and what popular car did it morph into?

If you'd like to support what I do, and get early access to advert-free videos and exclusive channel updates, please consider supporting the channel from just $1 or 80p a month: patreon.com/bigcar

Support me using PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/bigcartv
Big Car merch: teespring.com/stores/bigcartv
Twitter: twitter.com/bigcartv

My second channel - Little Car: youtube.com/littlecar

Sources:
web.archive.org/web/20170412061850/http://www.fiatpress.com/press/article/fiat-ecobasic-per-saperne-di-pi-ugrave-2-la-vettura
web.archive.org/web/20160809214648/http://www.fiatpress.com/press/detail/5137
http://www.archivioprototipi.it/italia/fiat/ecobasic.html
https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1999/12/06/ecobasic-il-futuro-secondo-fiat.html
conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z6919/Fiat-Simba-Concept.aspx
web.archive.org/web/20031217045721/http://www.fiat.it/showroom/it2_showroom_0.asp?mod=7
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Mini_platform
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Panda
automobile-catalog.com/car/2004/1221365/fiat_panda_1_3_multijet_16v_dynamic.html

#bigcar