The Fiat 500L is a five-door, five passenger, front-engine, front-wheel drive, high-roof B-segment MPV (i.e., small minivan) manufactured in Kragujevac, Serbia by the Fiat subdivision of FCA -- and marketed globally since its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
Based on a variant of the FCA Small Wide platform, the 500L uses Fiat's Multiair variable valve timing engine technology and cab forward architecture: a packaging concept that prioritizes passenger and cargo volume. The 500L is noted for its high H-point seating, high roof, tall greenhouse and wide field of visibility -- and its reconfigurable interior system marketed as Cargo Magic Space.
In 2013, Fiat began marketing a lengthened 7-seat variant, the 500L Living, in Europe. For model year 2018, the 500L received an intermediate facelift, with revised front and rear fascias along with In-car entertainment (ICE) updates and interior revisions.
The 500L derives its name from Fiat's widely known 500 models, including the original 1957 Fiat 500 and the current Fiat 500, introduced in 2007. Underscoring its increased length and overall size over other 500 variants, the suffix L denotes "large."
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Development
In April 2010, when Fiat released its 2010-2014 product development plan, the 500L was first identified as a replacement for the Fiat Idea and its rebadged variant, the Lancia Musa -- and was given the internal designation the L0 or Ellezero. Two variants were projected, five and seven passenger, the latter originally targeted at North America but ultimately only marketed in Europe.
The 500L platform was based on Fiat's "Small" platform, first used with the Fiat Grande Punto and further developed since its launch in 2005. With the 500L, the platform is both longer and wider to accommodate the 500L's cab forward architecture, prioritizing interior volume and reducing of the volume of mechanical systems.
Designers of the 500L said its overall architecture was inspired by Villa Savoye, the modernist house designed in the 1930s by Le Corbusier located in Poissy, France. Fabrizio Vacca, senior interior designer with Fiat's Centro Stile in Turin described a "layered" theme with a base, a middle with expansive visibility and above that an available, very large, dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
At the 500L's introduction, Fiat presented a 96 page, multi-language PDF vade mecum (handbook) titled 500L A Design Approach, tracing the design of the vehicle.
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Design
As a five-door, five passenger, two-box, high-roof B-segment MPV, the 500L is based on a variant of the GM Fiat Small Platform and uses Fiat's Multiair engines, a hydraulically-actuated variable valve timing (VVT) engine technology enabling "cylinder by cylinder, stroke by stroke" control of intake air directly via a gasoline engine's inlet valves.
The 500L's cab forward architecture provides a total passenger and cargo volume of 121.1 cubic feet, and features high H-point seating, tall roof and greenhouse, split front (A) pillar with glass and polycarbonate rear (D) pillar. The split A-pillar and tall greenhouse contribute to the interior's wide field of visibility.
Bodywork features a reconfigurable interior system marketed as Cargo Magic Space -- which includes a three-level rear cargo floor panel, fold-flat front passenger seat as well as rear seating that can recline for passenger comfort, slide for/aft to reprioritize cargo and passenger volume, and fold and tumble forward to store the second row seating and maximize interior cargo volume.
The 500L's structural architecture uses 74% high strength steel (HSS) and is compliant with international safety standards; features three front-end load (crash) dissipation paths; has wide rear door openings; has roof pillars that enable a 90% visiblity for the driver's 360° field of view; and achieves a frontal area of 2.54 m2 and an aerodynamic coefficient of drag (cd) of .30 -- with rear spoiler, underbody engine and rear suspension shields, and integral rear side window nolder profiles (i.e., small aerodynamic lips) to decrease pressure behind the bodywork and reduce mud and debris build up on the rear window.
The 500L uses shock absorbers, marketed as Koni Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) Technology designed to optimize performance and comfort handling in an economical mechanical (i.e., not electronic) system.
The 500L's sunroof is 10.8 sf, the largest in its class.
Manufacture
Manufacture of the 500L began in June 2012 at Fiat's Kragujevac plant in Serbia, previously the factory for Zastava Automobiles, noted for its internationally marketed and often derided Yugo.
Between 2010 and 2012, FCA invested more than EUR1B and three years to upgrade the plant infrastructure, restore its buildings, develop new production departments and install state of the art machinery and production systems. A co-located automotive supplier park includes sub-works for Magneti Marelli (exaust and catalytic converters), Johnson Controls MM (instrument panels, interior, interior parts and plastic parts), Magneti Marelli (bumpers and spoilers), Dräxlmaier (electrical), with other works at the nearby Grosnica Supplier Park, including Johnson Controls (seats), PMC (suspension systems, sheet metal stampings and chassis assemblies), SIGIT (rubber and plastic parts) as well as HTL.
500L production was originally scheduled for manufacture at the Italian Mirafiori plant in Turin and was moved to Serbia, because of poor labour relations in Turin.
Approximately one percent of 500L production is sold in Serbia, with 90% exported from Serbia via the port of Bar, Montenegro.
In 2013, a ship carrying the first 3,000 Fiat 500L units for the North American market docked in the port of Baltimore to unload its first consignment, subsequently delivering the remainder of its cargo to the Canadian port of Halifax.
Trim levels
Fiat markets the 500L in various trim levels worldwide, beginning in 2014 in the US with four trim levels: Pop, Easy, Trekking, and Lounge -- subsequently consolidated to three levels with model year 2017. Trim levels available globally include Sport in Canada in lieu of Easy -- and Pop Star in Europe. Engine and transmission options vary by country and model year. Available transmissions include a six-speed manual, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and an Aisin six-speed traditional torque converter automatic.
The entry level trim, typically marketed as Pop, includes electrically operated windows and door locks, Uconnect 5.0 system with 5-inch touchscreen interface, handsfree calling, Bluetooth-streaming audio, voice-controllable radio, hill start assist and a reconfigurable interior design marketed as Magic Cargo Space, which includes a three-level rear cargo floor panel, fold-flat front passenger seat as well as for-aft sliding, fold and tumble, reclining rear seating. Typically no option packages are offered.
Upper trim levels (variously marketed as Easy, Sport, Pop Star or Lounge) include more standard features and numerous option packages, including satellite navigation, leather trim, heated front seats, dual-pane panoramic sunroof or fixed sunroof (Europe), 6.5" Uconnect system, roof colour options, fog lights, power outlets, illuminated visor mirrors and chrome trim.
Trekking models, first presented at the 2012 LA Auto Show feature unique front and rear fascias, optional two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior upholstery and distinct options packages.
To complement the regular length 500L, codenamed Fiat L0 (or Ellezero) (design code 330), in 2013 Fiat began marketing a lengthened seven-seat variant in Europe known as the 500L Living (or MPW in Ireland and the UK), developed under project code L1, Elleuno, or design code 334.
The 500L was the first production car with an optional in-vehicle espresso machine.
2018 Update
For 2018, all models receive slightly-revised exterior styling, as well as interior revisions, including a TFT color instrument display screen centered on the instrument panel, replacing the previous monochrome LCD instrument display screen.
A new Uconnect 4C 7.0 infotainment system, replaces the Uconnect 3 5.0BT and Uconnect 3C 6.5N units. The new unit includes an AM-FM radio tuner with Radio Data System (RDS), SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Engine and transmission options include either a 6-speed manual or Aisin 6-speed automatic, the latter as the sole transmission for the North American market.
Engines
For most markets, the 500L is available with a range of petrol and diesel engines: the 2-cylinder 0.9 L Twin Air and the 4-cylinder 1.4 L petrol, and the 1.3 L and 1.6 L MultiJet II common rail diesel engines. In North America the 500L is only available with a 1.4 L turbo petrol engine, not available in Europe. A "Natural Power" methane powered version of the 0.9 L Twin Air is available in selected European markets.
All petrol models are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, with an automatic option only in North America. The 1.3 L diesel is available with 5-speed manual or a 5-speed semi-automatic transmission called "MTA Dualogic". The 1.6 diesel is only available with a 6-speed manual.
The 1.6 MultiJet II 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) and 1.4 T-Jet 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) engine versions for the 500L, 500L Trekking and 500L Living were unveiled in Frankfurt Motor Show 2013.
For 2014 three new engine options (1.6 MultiJet II (120PS) turbo diesel, 1.4 T-Jet (120PS) petrol, 1.4 Turbo LPG) were announced for all 500L derivatives. A 1.4 turbo LPG engine models of 2014 Fiat 500L would be available at later date.
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Safety
Euro NCAP
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
Marketing
At the 500L launch, Fiat premiered a 500L Trekking commercial directed by the director Adam Stevens for the production company 'Filmmaster Productions' on 2013-06-30. For the USA introduction of the 500L, Fiat launched a commercial created by the Doner Company titled "Italian Invasion" that featured Paul Revere noticing an Italian rather than British Invasion.
Fiat 500L and 500L were used in 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics by the Italian team.
Fiat Chrysler donated eight black 500Ls to serve as papal limousines during the 2015 visit of Pope Francis to the United States. The vehicles were later donated to organizations involved in the Pope's visit, including the Archdioceses of Washington, Philadelphia, and New York.
Concept models
2013 SEMA concepts: Two special versions of the 500L were unveiled in 2013 SEMA Show with a "surf and turf" theme. The 500L Adventurer is a version of 5-seat Fiat 500L with bright white body colour, with Mopar roof rails and a roof basket, and many other accessories from the Mopar range. The 500L Thalassa is a based on the Fiat 500 Beach Cruiser from 2012, with bright orange body work and 18" orange wheels and other Mopar accessories.
2014 Fiat 500L Beats Edition: The Beats Edition was produced in association with artist and record producer Dr. Dre, Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman and record producer Jimmy Iovine, with two-tone grey/black livery in matt or gloss finish and new interior trim. It went on sale in spring 2014 Italy, and subsequently in other markets.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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