Mini seems to have made a very good case for an upmarket but cute small SUV - quite the opposite of something like the Renault Duster, which is large and value for money. Fiat is now attempting to follow Mini's success with its second 500-based model, a small SUV called the 500L. The Italian company has released more specifications about the premium little SUV now.
The SUV is 4.15 metres long - so long that it wouldn't qualify as a small car in India considering its length. However, Fiat says it can accomodate five six-foot tall people in comfort - along with their suitcases! That's thanks to a 400-litre boot.
The 500L will be powered by a choice of three engines - a 105bhp twin-cylinder 0.9-litre TwinAir and a 95bhp 1.4-litre four cylinder engine powered by petrol, and a familiar 85bhp, 1.3-litre MultiJet 2. The low power outputs leave room for Abarth models - the TwinAir sits at the top of the range in terms of performance for the moment. There are plans to launch a methane-powered TwinAir next year.
Like the Mini Countryman, there are millions of colour, material, paint and accessory combinations possible for the 500L
The 500L will be produced in Fiat's plant in Kragujevac, Serbia, which is capable of rolling over 700 cars off the production line every day.
If nothing else, the 500L will ensure that Fiat will be more than a niche player in one of the world's biggest markets, the USA. The 500L is a viable solution for a mainstream product, and the 500X crossover will try and take care of the 'macho' image. Although we aren't too sure whether the cute, cuddly design language of the Cinquecento lends itself too well to a butch SUV design.
