Fiat News: Fiat Shows The 500L

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 2, 2012

Fiat has pulled back the curtain on the new 500L, which will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The 500L meaures 162.9 inches long, a 70 inches wide, and 65.3 inches tall. Fiat says the 500L combines a driving experience of a SUV with the fuel efficiency of B-segment vehicle.

As we reported earlier this week, Fiat will offer two models of the 500L; a five-seat and seven-seat version. The 500L will go into production in the last quarter for the European market. Fiat hasn't said when the U.S. will be getting the 500L.

Press Release is on Page 2

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Fiat 500L to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Feb 2, 2012 - The FIAT brand released the first images of the Fiat 500L, an all-new model that expands the appeal of the brand’s iconic Fiat 500.

With its Italian design and city-friendly functionality, FIAT’s new five-passenger model expands the brand’s style and efficiency in the growing B-segment. Making its formal introduction at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6th, the new Fiat 500L — the L stands for ‘Large’ — will follow the U.S. introduction of the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth this spring and a full-electric version of the Fiat 500.

The Fiat 500L will be produced at the FIAT plant in Kragujevac, Serbia, and will arrive in the United States in 2013.

About the 2012 Fiat 500 models

Building on the attributes that made the original version an icon more than 50 years ago – the 2012 Fiat 500 models provide an entirely new generation of drivers with the best of Italian motoring: craftsmanship, style and safety, combined with fun-to-drive small-car efficiency.

The 2012 Fiat 500 offers high levels of safety, fuel economy, quality and advanced technology. With its city-friendly four-passenger size, engaging driving dynamics, all-new fuel-efficient 1.4-liter MultiAir® engine with eco:Drive™ Application, seven standard air bags and available TomTom® Navigation with standard BLUE&ME™ Handsfree Communication technology, the new Fiat 500 offers a unique driving and ownership experience. This package is further enhanced with new quality and refinement adaptations for the U.S. market, plus a “Top Safety Pick” for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Expanding on the qualities that have made the original Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) a timeless and efficient automobile, the new 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio (500c) adds open-air freedom and even more driving enjoyment. And with its cleverly designed multi-position power-retractable cloth top and iconic body-side silhouette, the new Fiat 500c delivers style with class-leading interior sound quality.

Offering even more exclusivity and style, the limited-edition 2012 Fiat 500 and 500c by Gucci models arrived at FIAT Studios nationwide in December. For more information, visit www.fiatusa.com/gucci. The high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth will arrive into the U.S. market in the first-half of 2012.

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[Drew Dowdell]

another good looking little egg.... but a bit more "family"

[z28luvr01]

Coming from one of the few here that like the 500, this is.....unattactive. Stll it's kind of the spiritual successor to old Colt Vista wagon, a no-nonsense people mover. It has a place I'm sure, but not in my garage.

[G. David Felt]

Another Turd for the Auto History folks to debate and laugh about.

[§carlet §wordfish]

What's the point of having both this and the Panda?

[Drew Dowdell]

Coming from one of the few here that like the 500, this is.....unattactive. Stll it's kind of the spiritual successor to old Colt Vista wagon, a no-nonsense people mover. It has a place I'm sure, but not in my garage.

Not really, the Colt Vista was larger, had 3 rows of seating, and 4wd.

A 500 Gucci edition? What is this? A 1970s Lincoln? What's next, a Civic Cartier? A Mazda 2 Valentino? Maybe a Vera Wang Pruis?

[William Maley]

What's the point of having both this and the Panda?

For europe, there will be a seven seat model to compete with the other small vans, like the new B-Max

[SAmadei]

A 500 Gucci edition? What is this? A 1970s Lincoln? What's next, a Civic Cartier? A Mazda 2 Valentino? Maybe a Vera Wang Pruis?

Oleg Cassini Sonic and a Levi edition Spark.

[67impss]

Levi was done @ AMC

[G. David Felt]

Can we not just shoot it and let this ugly beast rest in peace?

[SAmadei]

Levi was done @ AMC

I know... so was Cassini.