Fiat 500L

Fiat 500L
Overview
Manufacturer	Fiat
Production	2012–present
Assembly	Kragujevac, Serbia (Fiat Srbija)
Designer	Roberto Giolito
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	GM Fiat Small platform
Related	Fiat Grande Punto Fiat Doblò Alfa Romeo MiTo
Powertrain
Engine	0.9 L TwinAir Turbo I2 (petrol) 0.9 L TwinAir Turbo I2 (petrol/CNG) 1.4 L Fire I4 (petrol) 1.3 L MultiJet II I4 (diesel) 1.6 L Multijet I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed semi-automatic (Dualogic) 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,612 mm (102.8 in)
Length	4,140 mm (163.0 in) 4,350 mm (171.3 in) (Living)
Width	1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Height	1,660 mm (65.4 in)
Kerb weight	1245kg - 1365kg
Chronology
Predecessor	Fiat Idea Fiat Multipla

The Fiat 500L is a five-door mini MPV based on the design of Fiat 500. It was codenamed Fiat L0 (or Ellezero)^[1] during development and was initially scheduled to be launched in 2011^[2] but was delayed until the 2012 Geneva Motor Show,^[3] and later in 2012 LA Auto Show.^[4]

The 500L European version, rear

The 500L North American version, rear

The 500L dashboard

The 500L went on sale internationally from the end of 2012, with the US and UK by spring 2013.^[5] Altogether, the 500L is going to be for sale in over 100 countries.^[6]

Model details

The L stands for Large/Lounge, and the 500L is 4,140 mm (163.0 in) long, 1,780 mm (70.1 in) wide and 1,660 mm (65.4 in) high, a significant 594 mm (23.4 in) longer as well as a little wider and taller than the Fiat 500 and slightly larger than the Fiat Idea. The car is built on the US wide version of the GM Fiat Small platform.^[7]

At launch it will be available with a choice of two petrol and one diesel engines: a 1.4-litre 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) four-cylinder and a TwinAir with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) featuring six-speed gearboxes; and a 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) 1.3-litre turbo-diesel with a five-speed gearbox. A 1.6-litre diesel will be launched later.^[8]

The 500L can be specified with an in-vehicle espresso machine that uses Lavazza pods, which makes the 500L the world's first production car to feature such a facility.^[9][10]

500L Trekking (2013-)

The 500L Trekking is a version of the Fiat 500L, first presented at the automobile show in Los Angeles, California, in 2012.

The Trekking has higher ground clearance (the car is raised by 13 mm) and is longer (by 11 cm). It has larger 17 x 7-inch aluminum wheels, two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior upholstery, Uconnect 5.0 system features a 5-inch intelligently and intuitively designed touchscreen interface, handsfree calling and Bluetooth-streaming audio, as well as voice-command control of the radio and a media hub for seamless integration of portable devices with optional Uconnect 6.5 system with its larger 6.5-inch touchscreen radio, with dealer-activated navigation with intuitive map graphics and a premium media hub with SD card reader.

The vehicle is scheduled to arrive at Fiat dealers in mid-2013.^[11] Engine options depend on market, with a 1.4 L MultiAir turbo 160 hp engine and a 1.3 L diesel available.

Fiat 500L Living (7-seat version)

While the five-seat version has been publicly announced (also known by its design code 330), it is known that the seven-seat version is also planned,^[12] with the project code L1, Elleuno, or design code 334.^[13] The first rumor for the name was Fiat 500XL, then in 2013 - Fiat 500L+ and finally official the name of the model is Fiat 500L Living.

500X (SUV version)

The 500X mini SUV was announced in July 2012, with sales expected by 2014 with production at its Melfi plant.^[14] The new car shares the name and general design features of the Fiat 500 and 500L^[15] and will replace the Fiat Sedici.^[16]

2013 SEMA concepts (2013)

Fiat 500L Adventurer is a version of 5-seat Fiat 500L with bright white body colour, two-tone accent wheel flares and rockers in Satin Black, Vibrance Bright Orange roof, Mopar roof rails, a roof basket, 18x7.5-inch custom concept wheels with FIAT logo center caps, a custom 500L graphic at door panels with L painted orange to match the roof, Orange mirror caps, tinted taillights, tinted chrome exhaust tips, molded splash guards; a chrome FIAT logo ring, black perforated suede Katzkin seats, Katzkin pearl leather seatbacks, orange-painted bezels and orange accents surrounding the speaker grills and steering-wheel badge, two-tone instrument panel with a white leather insert, a Mopar seat back coat hanger, all-weather mats, a pedal kit, door-sill guards and a cargo organizer from the Mopar catalog; a Mopar cold-air intake, Mopar cat-back exhaust.

Fiat 500L Thalassa is a version of Fiat 500L based on the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser, with 18x8-inch 'Beach Cruiser' Vibrance Bright Orange wheels (production version of the steel wheel introduced on the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser) with chrome ring accents and FIAT retro-badged center caps, Vibrance Bright Orange body color, Mopar roof rails, a roof basket, roof and mirror caps in bright white, a lowered ride height, smoked lenses and trim, a unique towel-drying rack to fit in the rear compartment, a unique water-protecting cargo organizer with wetsuits and a water jug, wetsuit material integrated into the seat construction, Katzkin charcoal leather bolsters with Alcantara leather and dual Katzkin white leather stripes at the center of the seats, Katzkin tangerine armrest, door panel inserts, dash bezel; Katzkin tangerine stitching on the border of the front and rear seats, steering wheel and shifter boot; a classic FIAT badge on the steering wheel, a pedal kit and sill guards, a Mopar cold-air intake, a Mopar cat-back exhaust.

The vehicles were unveiled in 2013 SEMA Show.^[17][17]

Trim Levels

The United States market version of the 500L will come in four trim levels: Pop, Easy, Trekking, and Lounge.

From the Fiat USA website, the 500L versions will feature:

Pop: 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 160 horsepower 184 lb. ft. of torque, six-speed manual transmission, Hill Start Assist, and 33 MPG highway/25 MPG city.

Easy: Six-speed dual-clutch transmission Euro (DCT), sixteen-inch alloy wheels, and three roof color options.

Trekking: Six exterior color options, unique front and rear fascias, and satin silver body side moldings and door handles.

Lounge: Six-speed dual-clutch transmission Euro (DCT), chrome exterior mirrors, door handles, and body side moldings, and an available dual-panel sunroof.

The MSRP of these models is as follows: Pop $19,100, Easy $20,195, Trekking $21,195, and Lounge $24,195.

Engines

For most markets, the 500L is available in a range of petrol and diesel engines; the 2-cylinder 0.9 L Twin Air and the 4-cylinder 1.4 L petrol, and the 1.3 L and 1.6 L MultiJet II common rail diesel engines. In North America the 500L is only available with a 1.4 L turbo petrol engine, not available in Europe. A "Natural Power" methane powered version of the 0.9 L Twin Air is available in selected European markets.

All petrol models are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, with an automatic option only in North America. The 1.3 L diesel is available with 5-speed manual or a 5-speed semi-automatic transmission called "MTA Dualogic".^[18] The 1.6 diesel is only available with a 6-speed manual.

*Source:^[20]

Safety

Euro NCAP test results
Fiat 500L (2012)[21]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	34	94%
Child occupant:	38	78%
Pedestrian:	23	65%
Safety assist:	5	71%

Production

The 500L is manufactured at Fiat’s Kragujevac plant in Serbia,^[5] previously the Zastava Automobiles factory, though it was initially intended to be manufactured at the Italian Mirafiori plant in Turin, but poor labor relations resulted in the manufacturing leaving Italy.^[22]

Gallery

• 

  Introducing the Fiat 500L at 2012 Geneva Motor Show

• 

  The "European" version

• 

  The "North American" version

• 

  The "Trekking" version presented at 2013 Geneva Motor Show

• 

  Two 500L Living prototype test cars in Avellino, come from Fiat's Elasis research center in Pomigliano d'Arco.

• 

  FIAT 500L manual gear shift with 6 speeds

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat 500L.

• Official Fiat 500l UK page