Fiat 500L – Cool & Capable

Stellenbosch, South Africa – Five years after the launch of the new Fiat 500 and 55 years after the début of the historic 500, the Fiat 500L augments the 500 family with its introduction locally in October 2013. The launch marks a new chapter for the Italian icon following on from the success of the 500, 500C and high performance Abarth versions.

The 500L combines the iconic nature of the 500 style with the functionality of Fiat's design. Expanded on the concept of ‘space efficiency’, the new model defies convention owing to its MPV passenger space, the feel of a small SUV on the road and levels of efficiency typical of a compact car. By following this novel recipe, the Fiat 500L combines characteristics peculiar to different classes, to offer the concept of a distinctive and versatile first car that is an alternative to the traditional saloons of the B and C segments.

After more than 1,2 million cars have been sold in 110 countries worldwide, the 500 has grown up to accommodate new experiences and needs once more. If the 500 is the super-compact car perfect for young people and the city, the Fiat 500L is the first car of the 500 family able to contain the small pleasures and life's greatest emotions all together: children, friends, journeys, music and community.

The 500L expresses its styling individuality, communicates with the outside world and opens its doors to a new on-board experience. The letter ‘L’ sums up the three dimensions enclosed in the new Fiat solution: Large; functionality and space; Light; ‘lightness’ means user-friendly technology and eco-friendliness; and Loft; a trend-setting environment where one can live life to the fullest.

Large: efficient space

Besides being comfortable and functional, the Fiat 500L is cool. It expresses Italian style with a distinctive look and interprets Fiat’s innovative designs in substance and in form. Substance turns into the ‘space efficiency’ concept that distinguishes all of the most innovative Fiats in history. Just as the 600 Multipla of 1956 was the forerunner of the concept of the compact people carrier, the 500L is the new Fiat interpretation of the ‘Simply More’ philosophy applied to the ‘Multispace’ concept. The 500L reformulates the category of compact cars for the modern family in an emotional vein by redeveloping some of the 500's stylistic details.

The Fiat 500L is the result of technological feasibility, brand strategies and studies by Fiat that set out to understand in advance relationships with the car in the future. This approach goes beyond the form-function connection to focus attention on the user’s needs. Developed within the context of the new Fiat B segment platform, the 500L is an innovative car that addresses a more diversified and broader customer base and aims at setting higher standards in terms of available on-board space and comfort. The result is a highly functional car able to "converse" with the user and offer quality to appreciate over the years.

According to the latest research, 4.1 m is the average length of cars sold in Europe, a standard size allowing easy movement in traffic. The Fiat 500L’s real competitive advantage is that whilst only 70 mm longer than a Fiat Punto, the Fiat 500L easily accommodates five passengers 2 metres tall with their luggage without ever compromising passenger room.  Suffice to say that the Fiat 500L boasts the best passenger volume index in the segment: with combined front and rear volumes of 3.17m3.

The 500L has the best-in-class load capacity in terms of ratio between external dimensions – 4.15 m long, 1.78 m wide, 1.66 m high and 2.61 m wheelbase – and interior space, including the luggage compartment, which boasts a capacity of almost 400l, capable of transporting up to five roller suitcases.

The multitude of possible configurations of the interior space demonstrates that customers can easily transport materials up to 2.4 metres long by folding the front passenger seat and only one rear seat forward.

The innovative ‘Cargo Magic Space’ luggage compartment solution allows the boot to be adjusted in three levels; to separate fragile objects from heavy ones, clean objects from dirty ones and wet objects from dry ones. The load compartment is also filled with pockets and hooks in order to transport any object in total safety and tidiness.

The rear seats are longitudinally adjustable and fold separately to further increase rear passenger comfort. The ‘Fold&Tumble’ function makes it possible to completely tilt the rear seat forwards resulting in a totally flat load compartment.

Versatility: multiple configurations to meet all needs 

The Fiat 500L is also Large in terms of functionality. The multiple configurations of interior space combined with the 22 compartments of different sizes, and the dashboard suitably designed to group the instrument panel and main controls of the audio and IT devices into two distinct but adjacent zones offers a totally liveable passenger compartment. The maximum width of the front passenger compartment is 1,46m (measured at the shoulders) while the height, from seat to roof, is 1,03m (in the rear compartment the measurements are 1,39m and 0.99m, respectively).

The numerous adjustments of the seats also contribute to top-level on board comfort. They can be adjusted on every axis using 8 different modes, starting with that of the driver offering, as standard, a longitudinal configuration and reclining backrest. The front passenger seat, on the other hand, can be fitted with a folding table backrest. In this latter case, you can have a handy support surface both for common objects, such as a handbag or a laptop, and for unusual items. When the rear seats are also folded down using the Fold&Tumble function, the customer can obtain a flat loading surface for the entire length of the passenger compartment (2.4 metres), making maximum use of the interior space.

The rear seat ensures the same versatility. It has a 60/40 split folding backrest that can be adjusted longitudinally and separately in 12 positions, with the third central head restraint and armrest offered as optional. 

Light: altruistic technology

L also stands for Light; a ‘lightness’ feeling that improves and simplifies the quality of life for the occupant's benefit. Fiat has always been a byword for innovative cars that offer sophisticated yet straightforward technological solutions that satisfy both the needs of everyday mobility as well as the growing social awareness of others, the environment and safety issues. But 'lightness' is also an easy and immediate relationship with the navigation and infotainment systems the Fiat 500L offers, using simplified "human-friendly" interfaces.

Light also is the simplicity of use of the on-board technology of the new car. The 500L is the first car of the Fiat group to be equipped with a multimedia device based on the new generation of the Uconnect infotainment platform.

UConnect was designed with the aim of creating a multifunction system able to manage all of the main media content on the car, such as the radio, mobile phone, media player, iPod or smartphone as well as the navigation system. In this way the driver can simply, quickly and safely access them hands-free while keeping his eye on the road.

The 5" touchscreen of the 500L UConnect multimedia system, one of the largest of its class, lets you manage all the major media content of the car all rigorously wireless. Alternatively, media resources can be connected by USB port and AUX-IN connector.

The system also includes an advanced Bluetooth interface to access extra functions such as phone call management or reading received SMS text messages via text-to-speech technology, the innovative Audio Streaming system that reproduces music files and web radio stations directly from your smartphone in streaming via Bluetooth on the UConnect device.

The new radio is based on the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system and has an advance user interface with functions such as the previously mentioned text-to-speech, voice recognition (in 11 languages) and audio controls on the steering wheel so that the driver can access all of the main infotainment contents without taking his hands off the steering wheel.

The new UConnect system lets you listen to conventional radio stations, or your preferred radio through a smartphone. A future development will also let the customer - through smartphone integration - use many apps on the on-board system in order to always be in contact with Facebook and Twitter friends or be updated in real time on traffic, news and weather.

In short, the 500L is a generous car in terms of both contents and technology, easy to use and to enjoy. A simplicity that conceals a complex engineering process requiring hours and hours of design, tests and adjustments.

A “light” engine range

Today’s car must be “light” for the environment as well as the wallet of its driver. For several years, increasing sensitivity on the part of consumers toward the environment has been observed. A new consumer has thus been born, one more eco-friendly and also more mindful to costs. Respect for the environment is an increasingly important factor to consider when purchasing a car. Economic accessibility has become a significant requirement that cannot to be ignored, both at the time of purchase and during everyday use.

Reduced fuel consumption and emissions is therefore an essential requirement for the success of a car. For this reason, the Fiat 500L will be offered with the choice of two efficient engines distinguished by their lower polluting emissions and CO2 levels, corresponding to real economic benefit in everyday use for the customer; a petrol (70kW 1.4l) engine and a turbo-diesel (77kW 1.6l MultiJet 2) engine. Each with different qualities, all exploited to the full in combination with the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

The reduction in fuel consumption and emissions involves the design and set-up of the entire vehicle. As proven by the over 3 000 hours of research on the body and underbody carried out at the Fiat Group Automobiles wind tunnel in Orbassano (Turin), one of Europe’s largest: the final result is a CX of 0.30.

Last but not least, all Fiat 500L engines have been meticulously engineered, requiring over 10 000 hours of simulation on test-benches, in addition to extensive road tests under varying climatic conditions.

Loft: personal size

Loft is a contemporary, wide, open and luminous dimension, just like the new 500L that has been conceived and produced in the same way as a beautiful and functional designer house. The Centro Stile Fiat design centre drew inspiration from the cab forward concept, the modern reinterpretation of a car concept designed to achieve greater external visibility and a large amount of internal light. The 500L has 360° glazing to ensure that its visibility is the best-in-class, in addition to increasing the sense of command of the road and to make parking manoeuvres easier.

The glass roof – the largest in its category with a size of 1.5 m2 – floods the passenger compartment with an abundance of light. It is available in two versions: electric roof or Skydome.

2 trim levels:

Easy:

•   Soft touch beige dashboard – Beige ambience – Magnesium/beige fabric, two tone black/beige steering wheel
•   Soft touch grey dashboard – Grey ambience – Red/grey fabric, two-tone black/grey steering wheel

Lounge:

•   Suede beige dashboard – Beige ambience – Beige/dark grey fabric, two-tone black/beige steering wheel
•   Suede grey dashboard – Grey ambience – Black/ grey fabric, two-tone black/beige steering wheel

3 alloy rim combinations.


In addition to the standard vehicle, turning the new Fiat 500L into a unique and personalised object is made possible with a variety of optional extras available from the dealership:

Exterior:

• Chromed, ceramic effect black, technics effect white, technics outline effect white or aluminium exterior mirror covers.
• Chrome bonnet line enhancer.
• 17” alloy wheels, double spokes in black.
• Lockable security wheel nuts.
• Fiat branded tyre valve caps.
• Roof bars.
• Towbars.
• Exterior badges and stickers.

Interior:

• Laser-made Fiat 500L embossed carpets.
• Rubber floor mats.
• Moulded cargo tray.
• Rear window sunshades.
• Kick plate emblems.
• Headrest coat hangers.
• iPod and iPhone support.
• Key fob covers available in 9 eye-catching colours.

Easy in the city, quiet on the motorway

The new wide chassis architecture of the 500L will be shared with upcoming generations of family models and was calibrated to guarantee top-of-the-class performance and comfort. The body has a high level of torsional rigidity - 111,700 daNm/rad - that contributes to optimum control of the geometry.

Comfort in the new 500L is the result of the layout of the vehicle’s suspension - MacPherson up front, torsion beam in the rear - that has been updated to ensure control and comfort at top levels. More specifically, the front suspension has a new anti-roll bar with extraordinary rolling rigidity made with hollow technology that provides increased performance and at the same time reduced weight. The front cross member is also designed with high rigidity to achieve greater acoustic comfort and to integrate a third load line to improve energy absorption capacity in the case of a collision.

One of the new innovations is the adoption of a "split" type of shock absorber mounting that transmits the loads to the body through two different routes and therefore better filters the road vibrations, improves acoustics whilst improving shock absorber performance.

The rear suspension has newly designed torsion axle architecture with a high level of rolling rigidity. This feature saves on the weight of an anti-roll bar. Hydraulic bushes were also adopted to improve the car's level of comfort. The rear suspension of the Fiat 500L was further lightened in weight by adopting single tube shock absorbers.

"Lightness" on the 500L is also weighed in quantity of silence. The need to turn the interior into a muffled sitting room stems from this. External noise does not seep in and the motion of the car as it travels along the road is barely perceptible. To achieve this result, time was spent in the anechoic room and on the proving grounds in over 10 000 hours of tests to reach an articulation index of 72%, a level at the top of its class.

Technological and protective

To guarantee the protection of the passengers, the new 500L combines a body designed to the most modern criteria with active and passive safety content that ensures its optimum class leading performance.

The new car has a safety cell structure complete with double pillars in front designed in line with current U.S. regulations. The safety performance was designed by the Fiat Safety Centre after examining all possible types of impact: front and side, roll-over, pile-up as well as with pedestrians. Various speeds at which impact may occur were also taken into consideration as well as different types of obstacles and different types of occupants with greatly varying physical characteristics.

The new 500L's standard equipment includes six airbags – front, window and side airbags - front headlights with DRL (Daytime Running Lights) function and fog lights with the self-adaptive cornering function. The model also comes standard with ABS, BAS (Brake Assist System) and the sophisticated ESC (Electronic Stability Control) that intervenes in driving conditions close to the limit.

The Fiat 500L ESC is equipped with several very useful functions:

• ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) system: optimises traction at any speed, with the help of the brakes and engine management, allowing the Fiat 500L to cope easily on low-grip roads.
• Hill Holder system: helps the driver start off uphill by keeping the brake locked for about 2 seconds, in this way making starting off easier without requiring the driver to press the brake pedal or use the handbrake.
• MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung): when there is a brisk down-change in poor grip conditions, the MSR function intervenes, controlling engine torque and preventing the wheels from locking.
• DST (Driving Steering Torque): the system improves both driving safety and handling performance. The active electronic steering carries out corrections automatically and also controls oversteer over surfaces with low grip in all driving conditions.
• ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation) function: intervenes when a wheel leaves the road surface; in fact, whenever an extreme dynamic movement is detected, the ERM helps to restabilise the vehicle and returns control of the car to the driver.

Production

The Fiat 500L is produced at the Kragujevac plant in Serbia, inaugurated in April 2011 after three years of intense and continuous work carried out to upgrade the infrastructures and restore the buildings, with new roof coverings, new production departments, reclamation of lands and installation of advanced machinery and production systems.

Over 1 billion Euros have been invested from 2010 to today, in addition to Fiat's best professional resources.  2500 workers and suppliers took part in the plant's reconstruction.  In addition, 1 100 000 hours of staff training were provided to create a new industrial culture.

The new Kragujevac plant production capacity exceeds 700 cars per day thanks to the new design and structure. With its compact, flexible and modular structure, it can produce various models. The industrial site was built to last for years, to be productive and competitive, in addition to abiding by the principles of World Class Manufacturing – the production system applied throughout the Fiat Group.

New technological standards have been applied for the production of the 500L in order to support other production cycles (flexibility), to make maintenance easier and to reduce energy consumption (simplicity) and to assure quality (sturdiness). More specifically, every production station has been designed taking all essential parameters into consideration. These include safety; quality, with over 1 900 controls on the line; logistic flow, developed on the basis of the operation station; efficient maintenance; environmental sustainability by reducing consumption; and ergonomics, which cuts stress and fatigue factors to a minimum.

A solvent methodology for "high solid" metallic paints has been introduced for the first time in the paint shop. Interiors are painted by hand while the exteriors are painted by robots, and then go to the solvent-based GAS oven booth for transparent coating. On the assembly line there is a high level of complexity with more than 5 000 components to manage and have to be delivered to the line in the correct quantity, at the right place and at the right time.

The Serbian plant was built in keeping with the concept of sustainability, both by reducing negative effects on the environment in industrial production through planning attentive to environmental issues and workers, and by implementing the FIAT Biodiversity Value Index as the ratio between human activities and biodiversity. The planting of over 1,000 indigenous trees in the factory area together with the employees' children and the creating of a bio lake that is the home to many dying species are proof of that.

Pricing: competitive lightness

Sales of the new Fiat 500L begin at the end of October locally with two model lines; Easy and Lounge and two powertrain combinations; 1.4l petrol and 1.6l diesel.

Pricing (Including VAT and CO2 tax) is the following:

•        Fiat 500L 1.4l 16V Easy – R232 990
•        Fiat 500L 1.4l 16V Lounge – R247 990
•        Fiat 500L 1.6l MultiJet Lounge – R287 990

The 500L is available from 35 Fiat dealerships nationwide and comes standard with a 3 year / 100 000km warranty and maintenance plan.

[source: Fiat SA]
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