Some of the B&B doubted the veracity of early renderings, but it turns out they were accurate. This is the Fiat 500L, the car that’s supposed to boost Fiat sales here in the USA and carry on the legacy of the very unique looking Multipla. Despite carrying the “500” moniker, the 500L, like the Multipla, is a B segment car.
The 500L uses the Fiat Punto’s platform and delivers what Fiat calls the “…feel of a small SUV on the road”. Conventional logic suggests that any sporting pretensions should be put to bed with that statement. Further buttressing the “function follows form” ethos is another quip stating that the 500L is “…is a ‘first car’ for those who won’t settle for anything less than Italian style.”
So, does that mean that the 500L is a starter car for yuppies too proud to buy a Chevrolet Sonic? Fiat gave only vague plans for engines, but a TwinAir powerplant (not for American consumption) and a 1.4L Multiair engine were mentioned – hopefully it’s not the asthmatic naturally aspirated version. It’s still astounding to think that Europe will get a 7-seat version of this car, when it’s only a couple feet longer than a regular 500.
I kept reading the title as “Fiat 500L: A Multiplaya By Any Other Name Would Look As Strange”
Don’t hate the playa, hate the game.
Wow, the headlights, roofline and black A-pillars are lifted straight from the MINI Countryman. Even the small mini-grille above the main grille is kind of a rip-off.
Not really, those are variations of what exists on the regular 500, just larger since the front clip is actually based on the A segment 500, while the rest of the body is cribbed from the new Panda.
Would rather have the Panda.
Bring this quick to Brazil. You need to polish your luster. This may be just the thing
I actually like this as I’ve seen photos of a more modern Multipla and it was very funky indeed, this looks less funky, but very stylish. Overall length if I recall (in US measurements) is about 161″ for the 2 row version, 169 for the 3 row variant and is wider than the current 500.
the “L” stands for “large” in this case since this is indeed, a larger car than the 500 and Panda respectively.
The MINI resemblance is further bolstered by the “floating” roof look. As someone who likes the MINI Cooper, but strongly dislikes the Fiat 500, I like this. I think that small cars look better and are more practical with boxy lines. In fact, it should sell quite well if it’s priced in 18k-24k area.
18-24k would be overpriced.
B segment should be around 13-15k IMHO
Not if its an AWD vehicle.
Or . . . $3. Yes, I think Three Dollars would be a good price.
I really don’t know why Fiat isn’t racing to hire me and cmoibenlepro. We’re good at this pricing stuff.
The original 50s/60s Multipla would qualify in current terms as a B-sized vehicle, but the most recently produced car isn’t even close to B-sized, being based on a C-platform and as an MPV, being taller and a touch wider.
http://www.girlcarguycar.com/images/fiatmultipla.jpg
I’m not sure whether to put this down to sloppy research or what.
I only have one question: Why do cars like these look like an FJ Cruiser’s back end was shrunk and glued on? That’s annoying. Other than that, it just might actually sell.
Zackman,
This car uses a larger variant of the newly redesigned Panda body for the bulk of the body here and any resemblance to the FJ is I think purely coincidental.
It’s that odd-sized rear-most side glass. I’ve seen that on a couple other cars, too. To me, it’s annoying, but I suppose it’s functional and adds a tad more outward visibility, so that’s always a good thing!
““…feel of a small SUV on the road”
Wow, so this FWD box will feel like a Chevy Blazer?
That front end looks like a European-ized Pontiac Aztec.
From earlier reports, this chassis is designed to accommodate an AWD system, at least as an option.
The current 500 is cute but way too small and impractical to American tastes. This would sell much better, as long as it’s not too pricey. There aren’t enough good looking tall wagons sold here.
Should it seat 4 or 5?
I believe the numbers are 5 in 2 row mode, 7 in 3 row mode.
Cribbed from both Mini and 500; doesn’t do justice to either.
I think Fiat just devalued the 500 brand…