Fiat 500L launches

The Fiat 500L – a larger Fiat 500 based on the Punto – has launched in Italy ahead of going on sale in the UK in early 2013.

We had the official arrival of the Fiat 500L at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and now we get the 500L’s official launch in Turin – together with lots of new photos and a video – before the 500L goes on sale around the world.

The 500L is actually based on the underpinnings of the Punto to create a 500 MPV and, sensibly, Fiat has done with the 500L  what MINI did with the Countryman and slapped an iconic badge on even though the 500L bears scant resemblance to its cute little sibling.

In fact, in the flesh, the dimensions are quite startling as the 500L is two foot longer and six inches wider (594mm / 153mm) than the 500 and, say Fiat, can accommodate five passengers – even those well over 6′ tall – and their luggage with ease.

The Fiat 500L will launch with a choice of three engines: the 900cc two-pot TwinAir with 104bhp, the 1.4 litre petrol with 94bhp and the 1.3 litre diesel with 84bhp.

Next year Fiat will also go green in the 500L by introducing a natural gas/methane/CNG version of the TwinAir which should cut emissions from the normal 112g/km significantly.

The interior of the 500L seems to continue the cute and funky look of the 500, but with much more room, and a plethora of customisation options. There are 11 body colours and 3 roof colours and a total of 333 combinations. Trim levels are Pop, Pop Star, Easy and Lounge and there are a choice of three alloy wheel colours.

Fiat say that the 500L will go on sale in ‘Major European Markets’ this month, so we assume that includes the UK (Fiat aren’t answering their phones this morning so we haven’t got confirmation) and more than 100 markets round the world – including the US – in early 2013.

No prices for the Fiat 500L yet but as soon as we get them we’ll update.

By Cars UK