The Fiat 500L which expands the line-up of the 500 series was first presented at the 2012 International Geneva Motor Show, and is now available in South Africa with a choice of two engines.

Engine capabilities

According to Fiat, both the 1.4-litre engine delivering 70kW and the 1.6-litre MultiJet 2 engine delivering 77kW are distinguished by their lower polluting emissions and CO2 levels, corresponding to real economic benefit in everyday use for the customer. Both engines are also mated to the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

Comfort in the car is a result of the MacPherson-strut front suspension has a hollow anti-roll bar to add both lightness and rigidity while the rear torsion beam that has been updated to ensure control and comfort at top levels and remove the need for a rear anti-roll bar.

Exterior design features

Designed as an alternative to traditional B and C segment cars, the five-door model is labelled as an MPV that has the feel of a small SUV. It has ample seating for five people with dimensions measuring 4.15 m long, 1.78 m wide and 1.66 m high and also has a 2.61 m wheelbase which results in a large interior space, including the luggage compartment, which boasts a capacity of almost 400 litres.

The Fiat 500L has 360° glazing to ensure best-in-class visibility, while the glass roof – the largest in its category with a size of 1.5 m2 is available in two versions: electric roof or Skydome.

Extensive colour range and trim options

The car will also be available in a choice of seven body colours – red, white, blue, cream, metallic red and two shades of metallic grey. In addition, there are three designs of alloy rims and two interior trim levels to choose from.

The Lounge trim comes with either a suede beige dashboard and panelling, beige and dark grey fabric and a two-tone black and beige steering wheel, or a suede grey dashboard and panelling, black and grey upholstery and the same two-tone black and beige steering wheel.

The Easy trim comes with either a beige soft-touch dashboard and panelling, magnesium/beige fabric upholstery and a two-tone black and beige steering wheel, or a grey dashboard and panelling, red and grey fabric upholstery and the same two-tone black and grey steering wheel.

Simple onboard technology

The 500L is the first car of the Fiat group to be equipped with the new-generation Uconnect infotainment platform, which can manage media content on the car such as the radio, cellphone, media player, iPod or smartphone as well as the navigation system – all hands-free.

There’s also a 5-inch touchscreen, a USB port and an AUX-IN connector, as well as a Bluetooth interface that gives you access to call management, voice recognition (in 11 languages), reading received text messages out aloud and audio streaming from your smartphone, based on the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system.

A future development will also let you use a number of apps to stay in constant contact with Facebook and Twitter or get real-time updates on news, traffic and weather.

The new Fiat 500L standard equipment includes six airbags – front, window and side airbags – front headlights with DRL (Daytime Running Lights) function and fog lights with the self-adaptive cornering function. The model also comes standard with ABS, BAS (Brake Assist System) and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) that intervenes in driving conditions close to the limit.

Fiat 500L Price

Fiat 500L 1.4l 16V Easy – R232 990

Fiat 500L 1.4l 16V Lounge – R247 990

Fiat 500L 1.6l MultiJet Lounge – R287 990

The 500L comes standard with a 3 year/100 000km warranty and maintenance plan.

Fiat 500L gallery