The “L” in its
name stands for “large,” and the 500L lives up to its moniker by
offering two more doors than the regular 500 hardtop as well as seating
for a fifth passenger. European 500L is 163.0 inches long, 70.1 inches
wide, and 65.4 inches tall; that’s a little longer and taller than and
roughly the same width as a Mini Countryman. The measurements will be
essentially unchanged. Cargo room, is sure to increase beyond the
pitiful 10 cubic feet available behind the smaller 500’s rear seats.
Styling-wise,
the transition from 500 to 500L reminds us of the relationship between
the Mini Countryman and the Mini Cooper hatch; the 500L looks like a 500
that stuck its thumb in its mouth and an air hose in its tail. That
said, it’s not totally unattractive, and details like the bulging
fenders and the wraparound windshield add some zest. The enormous front
quarter-windows are somewhat debatable, however. The front end’s big
black bumper and chunky plastic trim on the doors and rear end add some
crossover-ness to the appearance.
Speaking of
crossover pretensions, the 500L will be front-wheel drive—but we expect
an optional all-wheel-drive system adapted from the architecturally
related Fiat Panda to be worked into the mix eventually. We’re hoping
the 101-hp, 1.4-liter four from the standard 500 isn’t in the running;
the 160-hp, turbocharged four from the 500 Abarth would be a nice
alternative. The Euro-spec model gets Fiat’s TwinAir two-cylinder and a
1.3-liter turbo-diesel among its options.
