Fiat 500L

Fiat 500L
Overview
Manufacturer	Fiat
Also called	500L Trekking 500L Living 500L MPW
Production	2012–present
Assembly	Kragujevac, Serbia (Fiat Srbija)
Designer	Centro Stile Fiat Andreas Wuppinger Roberto Giolito
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV (M)
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform	Small US Wide
Related	Fiat Toro Jeep Renegade (BU) Fiat 500X Fiat Tipo
Powertrain
Engine	0.9 L TwinAir Turbo I2 (petrol) 0.9 L TwinAir Turbo I2 (petrol/CNG) 1.4 L Fire I4 (petrol) 1.4 L Fire Turbojet I4 (petrol) 1.4 L Multiair Turbo I4 (petrol) 1.3 L MultiJet II I4 (diesel) 1.6 L Multijet I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed FPT C510 manual 6-speed FPT C635 manual 6-speed FPT C635 dual-clutch automatic 5-speed FPT C510 Dualogic semi-auto 6-speed Aisin AW60T 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 Chrysler PT Cruiser (North America)

The 500L is a five-door, five passenger, front-engine, front-wheel drive high-roof B-segment MPV manufactured in Kragujevac, Serbia by the Fiat subdivision of FCA — and marketed globally^[1] since its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.^[2]

500L, European version

The 500L North American (primarily US) version, rear

The 500L instrument panel

500L Cab Forward concept

Based on Fiat's Small Wide platform,^[3] the 500L uses Fiat's Multiair hydraulically-actuated variable valve timing engine technology in a cab forward^[4] architecture: a packaging concept that prioritizes interior volume — with high H-point seating, tall roof and greenhouse, glass front and polycarbonate rear^[5] pillars, multi-level rear-cargo area, fold-flat front passenger seat as well as for-aft sliding, fold and tumble, reclining rear seating — with a total interior volume (passenger and cargo) of 121.1 cubic feet.^[6] In 2013, Fiat began marketing a lengthened 7-seat variant, the 500L Living, in Europe.

The 500L derives its name from Fiat's widely known 500 models, including the original 1957 Fiat 500 and the current Fiat 500, introduced in 2007. Underscoring its increased length and overall size over other 500 variants, the suffix L denotes "Large."^[7]

Design and development

During its development, beginning in April of 2010 when Fiat released its 2010-2014 product development plan, the 500L was internally designated the L0 or Ellezero, and was conceived as a replacement for the Fiat Idea and its rebadged variant, the Lancia Musa. Two variants were announced, five and seven passenger, the latter targeted at North America.

The 500L platform was based on Fiat's "Small" platform, first used with the Fiat Grande Punto, and further developed since its launch in 2005. With the 500L, the platform is both longer and wider, to accommodate the 500L's "Cab Forward" architecture, which Fiat first used with its 600 Multipla. The concept prioritizes interior volume and reduction of the vehicles volume dedicated to mechanicals, moving the cockpit forward, toward the front of the car.

The 500L is manufactured at Fiat’s Kragujevac plant in Serbia,^[8] previously the Zastava Automobiles factory. Originally scheduled for manufacture at the Italian Mirafiori plant in Turin, labor relations resulted in the manufacturing moving to the Kragujevac assembly plant.^[9] Approximately one percent of 500L production is sold in Serbia,^[10] with 90% exported from Servia via the port of Bar, Montenegro.^[11]

In 2013, a ship carrying the first 3,000 Fiat 500L units for the North American market docked in the port of Baltimore (United States) to unload its first consignment, subsequently delivering the remainder of its cargo to the Canadian port of Halifax.^[12]

Trims and variants

Fiat markets the 500L in various trim levels worldwide, and introduced the 500L in the US with four trim levels: Pop, Easy, Trekking, and Lounge.

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.

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

Trekking: Six exterior color options, unique front and rear fascias, and satin silver body side moldings and door handles. The 500L Trekking is a mildly restyled and lifted marketing variant of the Fiat 500L, first presented at the 2012 LA Auto Show. The Trekking features ground clearance increased by 13 mm); length increased by 11 cm; larger 17 x 7-inch aluminum wheels, two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior upholstery; Uconnect 5.0 system features a 5-inch touchscreen interface; handsfree calling; Bluetooth-streaming audio; as well as voice-command control of the radio. Engine options depend on market, with a 1.4 L MultiAir turbo 160 hp engine and a 1.3 L diesel available.

Longer 7 seats "Living" version

To complement the regular length 500L, codenamed Fiat L0 (or Ellezero) (design code 330),^[13] in 2013 Fiat began marketing a lengthened seven-seat variant as the 500L Living (or MPW in Ireland and UK), developed under project code L1, Elleuno, or design code 334. The Living variant is not available in North America.^[14]

The 500L was the first production car with an optional in-vehicle espresso machine.^[15][16]

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".^[17] The 1.6 diesel is only available with a 6-speed manual.

The 1.6 MultiJet II 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) and 1.4 T-Jet 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) engine versions for the 500L, 500L Trekking and 500L Living were unveiled in Frankfurt Motor Show 2013.^[18]

For 2014 three new engine options (1.6 MultiJet II (120PS) turbo diesel, 1.4 T-Jet (120PS) petrol, 1.4 Turbo LPG) were announced for all 500L derivatives. A 1.4 turbo LPG engine models of 2014 Fiat 500L would be available at later date.

*Source:^[20]

Safety

Euro NCAP

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%

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Marketing

As part of Fiat 500L Trekking launch, a 500L Trekking commercial directed by the director Adam Stevens for the production company 'Filmmaster Productions' was premiered in 2013-06-30.^[23]

Fiat 500L and 500L were used in 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics by the Italian team.^[24]

Fiat Chrysler donated eight black 500Ls to serve as papal limousines during the 2015 visit of Pope Francis to the United States. The vehicles were later donated to organizations involved in the Pope's visit, including the Archdioceses of Washington, Philadelphia, and New York.^[25][26]

• 

  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

• 

  Living version badge

Concept models

2013 SEMA concepts: Two special versions of the 500L were unveiled in 2013 SEMA Show with a "surf and turf" theme.^[27][27] The 500L Adventurer is a version of 5-seat Fiat 500L with bright white body colour, with Mopar roof rails and a roof basket, and many other accessories from the Mopar range. The 500L Thalassa is a based on the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser from 2012, with bright orange body work and 18" orange wheels and other Mopar accessories.^[28]

2014 Fiat 500L Beats Edition: The Beats Edition was produced in association with artist and record producer Dr. Dre, Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman and record producer Jimmy Iovine, with two-tone grey/black livery in matt or gloss finish and new interior trim. It went on sale in spring 2014 Italy, and subsequently in other markets.^[29]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat 500L.

• Official Fiat 500l UK page
• 500L Turkey User Forum