1999 FIAT Ulysse 2.0L JTD 5MT FWD (109 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After four years on the market, Fiat had to update the Ulysse minivan produced together with the French group PSA.

By 1999, it was already clear for the Italian carmaker that the minivan segment was dying and, apart from Renault, which marched with its Espace, the Ulysse and its siblings were doomed. But Fiat’s beancounters considered that the MPV can still produce some money. Thus, the Eurovan project was continued.

The upgraded version sported a revised front fascia. It dropped the squared-looking headlights and replaced them with ones with softened edges. The grille also went through some changes and added a few slats that supported the small Fiat badge placed in the middle. It was so tiny that some wondered if the carmaker was ashamed to put it on this minivan. To make it look more attractive, the exterior cladding and the door handles were body-colored, like many premium vehicles.

Inside, the dashboard looked similar to the one that it replaced, although there were some materials improved and better-designed dials inside the instrument cluster. Like its predecessor, the Ulysse provided room for up to seven people with a pair of regular doors for the front passengers and two sliding doors for the rest. At the back, the wide and tall tailgate allowed comfortable access to the trunk.

Under the hood, Fiat worked together with its partners and improved the engines such as the 2.0-liter turbodiesel, which was available starting with January 2001.