Fiat has revealed that their supersized 500 – the Fiat 500L – will cost from £14,990 for the 1.4 litre 500L Pop Star or Easy.
Actually based on the Punto underpinnings, rather than the 500’s – the 500L is Fiat’s take on the MINI Countryman (well, both the 500L and the upcoming 500X SUV) and designed to extend the appeal of the 500 – Fiat’s most successful model – to a market that has outgrown the diminutive 500.
Starting point for the 500L is aether the ‘Easy’ trim or ‘Pop Star’ trim (more daft trim levels) and come with standard features including a 5″ touchscreen radio, Bluetooth, Cruise, Electric door mirrors and leather on the gear knob and steering wheel.
The Pop Star trim adds in a body-coloured dash, alloys and mouldings on the door (for cool dudes, according to Fiat) and the Easy gets rear parking sensors, electric rear windows and soft-touch dash (for oldies – or those looking for greater comfort in Fiat’s words).
The Fiat 500L Lounge is the top of the tree and gets Climate, 16″ alloys, electric windows, fixed glass roof, auto lights and wipers, front fogs, side mouldings and rear parking sensors.
Engine options are the fun little 0.9 litre TwinAir, 1.4 litre petrol, 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel with manual or automated manual ‘box and the 1.6 litre MultiJet.
Just like the 500, Fiat want you to customise your 500L so you get a choice of body colour – including Heavy Metal Grey, Opera Red, Bashment Blue, Vocal Green and New Age Cream (more daft names) -white or black roof and silver, white or black alloys before you start on an options list which even includes a Lavazza on-board coffee making machine.
Fiat are now taking orders for the 500L with customer cars due early in 2013.
wolfie says
I can’t believe I am saying this about this about a car which I thought shouldn’t have been even considered – how can Fiat dare to mess about with the classic 500 – but it actually looks okay. I won’t say it’s a great looking car, but it is certainly better looking than the bloated Mini Countryman you compare it with. It definitely has a bit of Italian flair – I certainly would consider buying it.
What about practicality? The boot looks big enough, but I couldn’t judge the interior space – what does that compare with? If it is as spacious as the Jazz or Note, with the frugality of VW and Peugeot/Citroen products, Fiat could be on to a winner.
Cars UK says
LOL! It’s always interesting when a car you dismiss as pointless suddenly seems to tickle the fancy!
It’s hard to judge interior space until we get our hands on one, but its is 2 foot longer than the 500 and 6 inches wider and, say Fiat, will take five 6 footers and their luggage. There will also be natural gas/methane/CNG version of the TwinAir which should be well below 100g/km (although we’re not certain it will come to the UK).
You’re right – Fiat could be on to a winner.
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