So far, the Fiat 500 has been a major disappointment in the North American market with its sluggish sales. I wonder if Fiat using Jennifer Lopez for their marketing campaigns has anything to do with it? The Fiat 500L is an all-new sub-compact model to the 500 range which also includes the three-door hatchback, 500C (Cabriolet), and the Abarth model.
I guess the Fiat 500L is for those people who want a small-big car. Mini did the same thing with the Cooper and the Cooper Clubman (which is absolutely hideous by the way). These people can’t make up their minds. They want a small car but then realize it’s too small so they decide to make it a little bit bigger but still not as big as a compact car. Really?
The five-door 500L uses the same platform as the B-Segment Punto. The 500L is 23-inches longer, 6-inches wider, and 6.8-inches taller than the standard three-door 500 model. Fiat states that 500L offers “MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road and the restrained dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car” and is an alternative to the B and C segments.
The current 500L is a five-seater but rumor has it that there will also be a seven-seater later this year. Perhaps they’ll call that one the 500XL. For North Americans though, only the five seat model will be available to us. The Fiat 500L is expected to hit the showroom floors early 2013.
