Automotive

5-door Fiat 500L to be released in North America

5-door Fiat 500L to be released in North America
The Fiat 500L, as spied by Gizmag at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, as spied by Gizmag at the LA Auto Show this week
View 28 Images
The nearly 360-degree view from the inside of the Fiat 500L
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The nearly 360-degree view from the inside of the Fiat 500L
The driver's view inside the Fiat 500L
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The driver's view inside the Fiat 500L
A view of the 500L's interior
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A view of the 500L's interior
The 500L Trekking comes with 17-inch wheels
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The 500L Trekking comes with 17-inch wheels
The 500L and the 500L Trekking side-by-side from the front
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The 500L and the 500L Trekking side-by-side from the front
The 500L and the 500L Trekking side-by-side from the rear
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The 500L and the 500L Trekking side-by-side from the rear
A view of the 500L Trekking from above
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A view of the 500L Trekking from above
The front view of the 500L Trekking
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The front view of the 500L Trekking
The 5-door Fiat 500L Trekking
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The 5-door Fiat 500L Trekking
The front quarter view of the 500L Trekking
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The front quarter view of the 500L Trekking
The 500L Trekking is designed with a more rugged look
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The 500L Trekking is designed with a more rugged look
The rear of the Fiat 500L
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The rear of the Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L Trekking cruising
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The Fiat 500L Trekking cruising
The 500L Trekking has a more aggressive look
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The 500L Trekking has a more aggressive look
The rear quarter view of the Fiat 500L
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The rear quarter view of the Fiat 500L
The side view of the Fiat 500L
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The side view of the Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L on the street
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The Fiat 500L on the street
The new Fiat 500L is coming to North America next year
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The new Fiat 500L is coming to North America next year
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L Trekking
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The Fiat 500L Trekking
The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, at the LA Auto Show this week
The Fiat 500L, as spied by Gizmag at the LA Auto Show this week
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The Fiat 500L, as spied by Gizmag at the LA Auto Show this week
View gallery - 28 images

The 5-door Fiat 500L was first revealed back in February of this year, and now we're finally seeing more of the plus-sized version of Fiat's popular 500. The 500L made its U.S. debut this week at the LA Auto Show, which coincided with Fiat's announcement that the vehicle will be available in North America as of the middle of next year. The automaker also released more details about exactly what the larger version brings to the table.

The L in its name stands for large, and Fiat has announced exactly how much larger the new version is. It comes with 26 inches (66 cm) more length, and six inches (15 cm) more height and width. Overall, the car adds 42 percent more interior space. It's designed to comfortably seat five people.

The 500L comes with a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine that boasts 160 horsepower. Comparatively, the Mini Cooper Countryman S comes with a 1.6L turbocharged engine pushing 181 horsepower. In terms of engine size to power, that puts the Fiat in a good position. There are two 6-speed transmission offerings, the first of which is a manual, and the second of which is a dual dry clutch transmission.

The Fiat 500L Trekking
The Fiat 500L Trekking

Fiat also used the auto show to premiere the Trekking version of the 500L, which shakes things up on the exterior and offers a more rugged look. It adds 17-inch wheels, a different front and rear fascia, and flared wheel arches. On the inside, it comes with a two-tone interior, designed to change the look up a bit from the standard 500L. The Trekking also gets the choice of a 5-inch or 6.5-inch Uconnect system installed, which includes a touchscreen interface, hands-free calling, and Bluetooth-streaming audio.

Fiat hasn't revealed pricing for the 500L and 500L Trekking, but did state that the new models will reach North America some time in mid-2013.

Source: Chrysler

View gallery - 28 images
7 comments
7 comments
ZekeG
No diesel?
bergamot69
@Zeke G,
Modern diesels are best avoided unless you live in a country where diesel is substantially cheaper (here in the UK it is more expensive than regular petrol) and you do a high enough milage to recoup the extra expense (and this car isn't likely to be bought for very long journeys) . In UK-specific operating conditions 'Which?' magazine calculated that the average diesel car would take about 12 years to pay for itself.
Because of the European emissions standards diesel engines now come with a host of equipment such as dual-mass flywheels, diesel particulate filters (which require you to drive above a set speed for a pre-determined time to burn out the soot), and other technologies which have caused diesel reliability to plummet. Back in the 1990s diesels were usually far more reliable and long-lasting than petrol engines but not any more. I would avoid a modern diesel unless someone else, such as my employer, was paying for the maintainance.
Bruce H. Anderson
The 500L had certainly lost some of the charm that typified the 500. It has gone from cute to not-so IMO. But it seems sensible and practical and may be a market success.
dwhiteside327
@bergamot69
Maybe so, maybe so.
However, that being said, I can _make_ diesel...I can't make gasoline.
Bill Bennett
dwhiteside327 if you run that homemade diesel in it NO ENGINE warranty, I know personally of a MickieBenZ R class running that stuff that ruined the engine around 8000 miles, cost him $11,000 the dealership felt sorry for him and sold the engine at dealer cost
HenryB
The article quotes "There are two 6-speed transmission offerings, the first of which is a manual, and the second of which is a dual dry clutch transmission."
Is the dual dry clutch an automatic? It doesn't follow that, because it's a dual dry clutch, that it is an automatic!
Paul Sr.
Fiat 500L rear seats are not removable like a Chrysler PT Cruiser. Huge design blunder! Thjs is a real deal breaker for many ex PT Cruiser owners.