Contents of the review:
- Appearance
- Hatchback salon
- Specifications
- Security systems
- Cost and configuration
The first Fiat 500L hatchback model was presented at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. To this day, the car has changed little, for the most part technical characteristics have changed and new systems have appeared.
The new hatchback Fiat 500L reminds many of the previously known Fiat 500 car, but this is only externally. In terms of dimensions and other parameters, the new product is very different. Likewise, the technical characteristics have changed for the better. In the course of modifications, the manufacturer offers three different variants of the 500th model, these are the regular 500L, the crossover version of the 500L Cross and the extended version of the 500L Wagon.
Fiat 500L hatchback exterior
The exterior of the Fiat 500L subcompact hatchback is indeed similar to the 500 series model, but only in body features. The rest of the novelty is fundamentally different, both in size and in technical characteristics. The front end of the Fiat 500L is distinguished by its large round optics, which are halogen optics as standard, but LED is available in the latest models. The center and everything below the designers took under the large front bumper, containing all the subsequent elements in it. Slightly lower placed another front optics, it serves as a high beam and daytime running lights. The center of the front end of the Fiat 500L is reserved for a small radiator grille and the company's logo with two chrome horizontal stripes from it.
The lower part of the front bumper of the Fiat 500L is reserved for a large insert. An additional grille was placed in the center, although it plays a major role in engine cooling. Depending on the configuration of the Fiat 500L, the grille insert can be made of black plastic or chrome-plated vertical stripes. On the left and on the right, caps will be installed in the basic configuration, in more expensive configurations, halogen fog lights. For an additional fee, the front can be fitted with chrome inserts, better known as "mustaches". In trim levels for America, the designers added additional air vents on the side of the bumper.
The Fiat 500L Cross trim is slightly different at the front, in particular the front bumpers, the radiator grille with four oval cells and a completely different lower bumper. In its shape, the lower part of the Fiat 500L Cross has a silver plastic trim, an additional radiator grill and two aerodynamic holes on the sides of the bumper.
The designers made the hood of the Fiat 500L hatchback small in comparison with the dimensions of the car. The part near the optics is slightly raised, but the central part, on the contrary, is concave. The windshield of the Fiat 500L is unique in its own way, the central part is almost even, and between the front doors and the windshield, the designers have added another one for better all-round visibility.
The side of the Fiat 500L hatchback, unlike the usual 500, is designed for two doors, and not one, that is, in total, including the rear door, the car is designed for 5 doors. The designers decided to make the novelty brighter and more youthful, so the upper part, if desired, can be painted in one color, and the lower part (below the side windows) in a different color.
The designers highlighted the front wheel arches of the Fiat 500L, giving them strict forms, the rear wheel arches are smoother, with a weakly defined line. The side rear-view mirrors were placed in a cunning way, the fasteners were in the usual place - the corner of the front glass, but the mirror itself, as if on the door. Similar to the body and roof, the side mirror housing can be painted in a solid color or in two colors to match the roof color. The door handles in any configuration will be chrome-plated, the lower part of the doors is decorated with body-color or black moldings, paired with chrome inserts on top.
Most of the differences in the side part are in the configuration of the Fiat 500L Wagon, as the name implies, the hatchback is elongated, thus it can additionally accommodate two passengers in the third row of seats. The rear fenders are slightly larger than the standard trim, as well as the roof and extra glass behind the rear doors.
The dimensions of the Fiat 500L 2017 are many times larger than the 500th with three doors:
- 500L hatchback length - 4242 mm;
- length of the 500L Cross complete set - 4276 mm;
- 500L Wagon length - 4375 mm;
- width (standard equipment and Wagon) - 1784 mm;
- width 500L Cross - 1800 mm;
- Fiat 500L height - 1658 mm;
- height 500L Cross - 1679 mm;
- height 500L Wagon - 1667 mm;
- wheelbase - 2612 mm;
- front wheel track - 1522 mm;
- rear wheel track - 1519 mm;
- clearance - 140 mm.
The rear of the Fiat 500L hatchback is different due to a slight restyling. The rear fog lights of the 2018 model were placed at the very bottom of the bumper, but in the 2017 and lower models, the fog lights were located at the bottom of the trunk lid. The rear feet are based on LEDs to accentuate the modern styling, with a chrome edging installed in a circle.
The trunk lid of the Fiat 500L is large enough both in width and height, which makes it easy to load oversized loads. The upper part includes an additional spoiler with stop-follower. According to the color of the roof, the spoiler will be painted in the same shade. Most of all, the company emblem and the large 500L lettering stand out on the trunk lid.
As already mentioned, the body of the Fiat 500L can be painted in a variety of shades, including by combining the colors of the roof, pillars and the body itself:
- blue;
- Orange;
- bronze;
- snow white;
- yellow;
- black;
- Gray;
- dark grey;
- green;
- Red.
The pillars of the Fiat 500L hatchback, without exception, will be painted black, but the roof of the car can be painted black, white or silver. For an additional fee, the manufacturer offers to paint the roof according to personal taste. The given list of shades is not complete, as presumably there are at least 37 of them in the manufacturer's catalog. The roof of the Fiat 500L hatchback in the basic configuration is solid, without a hatch, but in the maximum configuration, the designers have installed a large panorama over the entire length and width. Exactly half of the panoramic roof can be folded when moving back. Thus, it is clearly visible to passengers both in front and behind. The panorama is closed with a soft, hard fabric curtain. As the owners of the Fiat 500L with a panorama note, the curtain still does not help on bright sunny days.
The exterior of the Fiat 500L, even in the latest configuration, looks modern and stylish, the black color of the pillars and glass gives the feeling that the middle part of the car is entirely made of glass, and the chrome parts give the hatchback a classic Italian style.
Fiat 500L hatchback interior
The interior of the Fiat 500L hatchback, although simple at first glance, is thoughtful and functional. Regardless of the body chosen, the interior will be the same. The style of the interior is made in oval or round shapes, but without strict rectangular panels and inserts. The central part of the console is decorated with a touchscreen display of the multimedia system, in the basic configuration it is 5-inch, and in the top-end configuration of the Fiat 500L the display is 7 ". The multimedia system can work simultaneously on the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms.
To the left and right of the display, there are two oval-shaped air holes, a similar air duct is located on top of the panel to ensure the warming up of the windshield. Below the display are several control knobs, touch buttons and a control panel for hatchback systems. Slightly lower is a dual-zone climate control panel, and a 12V charging panel with a small compartment for storing small items and a phone.
The center console between the front seats of the Fiat 500L is very modest, a gear lever with a leather cover, a mechanical handbrake and a small armrest, which does not really fulfill its function, since you can put your elbow on it as much as possible.As already mentioned, the second row of seats is able to accommodate three passengers, for this, the designers of the hotels for each headrest. There is enough space behind to drive hundreds of kilometers and not get tired much. The third row for a complete set of Fiat 500L Wagon is able to accommodate two passengers, while better than children, since an adult will have little room for knees.
The front seats of the Fiat 500L will differ depending on restyling and trim, but are generally comfortable, with good lateral support and a high back. The head restraints are separated from the backrest, thus it is possible to adjust the height and slope. On the backs of the seats in top-end configurations, the designers have installed mini tables and a compartment for storing small things.
Despite the restyling and equipment, the Fiat 500L's driver's seat received minimal changes. The instrument panel, depending on the configuration, will change its appearance, in the basic version it is a regular panel with analog sensors, in the top-end and restyled model the instrument panel received a 3.5 ″ color display, a speedometer on the left, and a tachometer on the right. The engineers not only displayed the necessary information on the on-board computer display, but also made it possible for the driver to independently decide what needs to be displayed. Previously, the monochrome display displayed a variety of indicators, including the position of the Fiat 500L above sea level, which simply never was used.
The steering wheel of the Fiat 500L does not really stand out, the central part is occupied by the company's emblem with a chrome edging in the form of a crescent, buttons for controlling various systems, from audio, to mobile communications and heated steering wheel, are placed on the side spokes. Depending on the configuration and the availability of systems on board the Fiat 500L, the set of buttons will change. For the complete set of a hatchback with an automatic transmission, gearbox petals were placed behind the wheel, this is not provided for in the mechanics. The steering wheel itself can be adjusted both in height and depth.
An interesting step for the designers was the design of the front panel, the plastic overlay for the entire width can be painted in black, red, gray or white, there is also an option for an individual color. The interior trim, like the front panel, can be very diverse, according to the standard, these are monotonous shades of black, gray or white, but by paying extra, you can combine or choose a different trim color, for example, red, blue, yellow or any other color. As a material, designers use high-quality fabric, eco-leather or high-quality Nappa leather (for top-end configurations). The interior of the Fiat 500L hatchback, although simple in appearance, with rounded parts, is still quite functional.
Fiat 500L Specifications
The characteristics of the Fiat 500L hatchback will depend on the place of delivery, in some countries only gasoline engines are supplied, in others diesel and gasoline units.
There is only one gasoline engine for the Fiat 500L hatchback, despite the restyling of the model, the variety of units has not changed. The volume of such a unit is 1.4 liters, and the power is 95 hp. It is based on 4 cylinders and 16 valves, which makes the car very economical. In the city, the Fiat 500L will eat 6.8 liters per hundred, on the highway - 4.16 liters, and the mixed cycle - 5.16 liters. Only a manual transmission will be installed in pair with the engine. CO2 emissions are 144 g / km.
The choice of diesel engines is more diverse, there are two options for units and two options for gearboxes. The first MultiJet diesel, 1.3 liter, 95 hp, although in some countries the output will not exceed 85 hp. The torque of such a unit is 200 Nm (1500 rpm). Rather, this is due to the peculiarities of the climate and the structure of the engine for a certain area. A mechanical or automatic robotic transmission is available in pair with the unit. Fiat 500L fuel consumption per 100 km with urban mechanics is 4.25 liters, outside the city - 3 liters, and the combined cycle will require 3.5 liters. CO2 emissions 109 g / km. The complete set of the Fiat 500L hatchback with an automatic transmission (Dualogic) is intended more for the city, fuel consumption in the city is 3.75 liters, on the highway - 3.08 liters, and the mixed cycle - 3.34 liters. The indicator of emission of harmful substances CO2 - 106 g / km. The average acceleration to "hundreds" takes 15.1 seconds, and the maximum speed is about 164 km / h.
The most powerful among the units is the 1.6-liter MultiJet diesel. The power of such a unit is 120 hp. Only a manual transmission is installed in a pair. The fuel consumption of the Fiat 500L hatchback in the city is 4.08 liters, outside the city - 3.34 liters, mixed travel mode - 3.58 liters. CO2 emissions - 114 g / km.
The boot volume of the Fiat 500L is 455 liters for the regular and Cross versions, with the second row seats folded down, the volume increases to 1480 liters. For the extended Fiat 500L Wagon, the volume is 638 liters, and with the seats folded down - 1784 liters, which is significantly more than in conventional hatchbacks. The volume of the fuel tank in all trim levels is 50 liters. The curb weight of the hatchback ranges from 1295 kg in the basic configuration and about 1500 kg in the Wagon body. At the heart of the Fiat 500L are 17 ″ alloy wheels. Regarding the suspension, the front is independent McPherson, and the back is semi-dependent with a torsion beam.
The manufacturer claims that more powerful engines will be available in the 2018 Fiat 500L restyled model, but so far they are not in the price list. Presumably, they will appear when the new product asserts itself in the automotive market.
Fiat 500L hatchback safety
The modern styling of the Fiat 500L hatchback presupposes a good list of safety features. Front airbags are installed for the driver and passenger, as well as side airbags and side curtain airbags installed around the entire perimeter. ISOFIX 3-point seat belts are standard on the front and rear rows.
All the configurations of the Fiat 500L hatchback are equipped with an immobilizer, an FPS (fire safety) system, a stability control system, a slip control system, an aid when starting on the rise and an anti-lock braking system.
The main convenience for the driver of the Fiat 500L can be considered the energy-absorbing steering wheel, which does not transmit impacts from the wheels or suspension, the car can be driven with one hand without load. The adaptive cruise control will help you to move easily both on the highway and in traffic jams, which is very important for frequent trains around the city. In addition, it is worth noting the presence of light and rain sensors, headlight range control, electric drive and heated side mirrors. In the restyled Fiat 500L, most of all it is worth noting the parking systems and many sensors that will help prevent collisions and park easily.
The Italians installed such systems for a reason, since the streets are quite narrow, and the load by cars is maximum, if the 500 is much smaller in size, then it is not enough to just park with such a Fiat 500L hatchback.
Price and configuration Fiat 500L
On the territory of Russia, the Fiat 500L hatchback is not yet officially available, despite the period since the start of production. Although there are many imported copies in the automotive market. The average price for the 2014 model in the usual configuration is 788,000 rubles. Officially buy the Fiat 500L hatchback in a regular body:
- basic equipment with a petrol unit - from $ 20995;
- Fiat 500L Cross kicks off from $ 22995;
- long version of Fiat 500L Wagon kicks off from $ 23695.
The 2018 Fiat 500L restyled model is not available in all countries, but the price is already known for some configurations.
- basic equipment Fiat 500L Pop Star - from $ 21348 (Lounge equipment from $ 23023);
- restyled Fiat 500L Cross kicks off from $ 24180;
- an extended version of the Fiat 500L Wagon will cost from $ 22735 (Pop Star equipment) and from $ 26030 in the Lounge configuration.
Fiat 500L designers really tried to combine modern style and classic in one body, thus the car is in demand, both among young people and older buyers. Deliveries of the restyled Fiat 500L model to Russia should be expected not earlier than the beginning of summer 2018. There is no official confirmation from the manufacturer as to whether this model will be sold in the Russian Federation.
Other photos Fiat 500L:
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