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It’s an open secret that the Fiat 500L will debut in North American trim at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, but the 500L will bow in somewhat different form than what we may have been expecting.
The 500L Trekking will debut next week, with a raised ride height, a new fascia and body cladding to give it a more rugged look. Autocar reports that AWD will be absent, but a new traction control system will be added for better stability on loose surfaces. The 500T’s 135-horsepower engine is expected to provide motivation, along with a dual-clutch gearbox.
24 Comments on “Fiat 500L To Launch In Soft-Roader Guise...”
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“give it a more rugged look”
Aw, jeez….. *gasp*….thanks for the laugh.
“The 500T’s 135-horsepower engine is expected to provide motivation”
Unless we’re talking diesel 135hp is nothing exciting. $20k is alot to ask for their econobox with a turbo. Lord knows what they will want for this one with 2 more doors.
This is already a four door…..
Lol actually a six door would be amazing.
I really need to proofread. I meant this is a fiat turbo 20k econobox with 2 more doors. And yes a six door would be awesome. Probably would fit in a regular parking spot too.
The Minis did it better.
Cool A-pillar though.
Why this, instead of the Panda?
Exactly. The Panda is a great little car.
Yes, I have a 500c and I was wondering why not just bring over the Panda? Just because the styling works for one car does not mean that you try to make all of your models look like it. Expand the brand to people with other tastes instead of the ones that you sold already.
Isn’t this basically a Panda 4×4 without the 4WD?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Panda
From a marketing standpoint, this seems like it would make sense if it was AWD. The Panda 4×4 was a pretty capable vehicle.
This is a whole lot bigger/heavier/more powerful than the Panda. Not sure, but I think it’s based on the Punto chassis.
Well, let me be more clear, a Fiat Panda 4×4 without 4WD that makes slightly more sense for the US market. But yes, it’s based on the same platform as the Grande Punto.
The 500L is apparently slightly bigger than the Fiat Idea and reminds me of the Fiat Idea Adventure, which is sold in Brazil.
Also, they can make a long wheelbase version called the 500XL, which could seat 7. There’s your mini-minivan.
“with a raised ride height, a new fascia and body cladding to give it a more rugged look”
What’s wrong with just making a 4 door hatch just look like what it is? Do people REALLY just want everything SUV-ized?
+1
Amen. This whole trend is getting really silly. Can’t Fiat just be Fiat? You know….urban, small, european? Does it really need to pretend to be some mountain slayer too?
I particularly like that the one thing that might actually make it perform like an off-roader (AWD) is omitted, yet it’s jacking it up and giving it plastic cladding is what really will make it rough!
Give it a few months and you’ll see one with grille and light guards and 38 Pep Boys chrome stick-on accessories.
+1 Like tats on a toddler.
This 500L reminds me of the first-generation Mazda MPV, probably due to the high, short nose, the large, squared-off fenders, and the way the A-Pillar/windshield meets the hood. Even the pictured wheels are reminiscent of the early MPV’s alloy wheels!
And now there will be an “All-Sport” version!
Will it come with an optional snow plow?
500L – 135 HP
Kerb weight: 1315 kg (2899 lbs)
0-100kph (0-62 mph): 14.9 seconds
MINI Countryman (Base) – 121 HP
Kerb weight: 1380 (3042 lbs)
0-100kph (0-62 mph): 10.5 seconds
Wat?
500L – 0.9 2 cyl turbo, 105 hp, EU-spec:
0-100kph 12.3 Sec.
14.9 = typo?
Cladding? Is this some urge left over from Fiats dalliance with GM?
Guess this will be a “light truck” and CAFE numbers will skyrocket for Fiat-Chrysler truck segment for every sale.
Why did I read the headline as “Fiat Fail to Launch in Soft-Roader Guise”?
And the jacked-up wagon trend continues unabated.