2014 Fiat 500L Introduces Beats Edition, Fresh Colors, 120PS Engines and Mopar Parts in Europe

Fiat is bringing a host of updates to its 2014 model year 500L small MPV in Europe, including the addition of a new Beats Edition special series, three new 120PS engines, plus fresh colors, interior trims and options.

The newest member of the 500L family is the Beats Edition model, which aside from the audio system update, also sports a two-tone matte grey and gloss black livery, with red and satin chrome elements, while the same color theme continues inside. Italy will be the first market to get the 500L Beats Edition this week, with the rest of Europe to follow soon.

Moving onto the rest of the 500L range, Fiat has added a brand-new Venezia Blue metallic body color, along with fresh choices for the fabric and leather interiors, and new optional accessories, including from Mopar, such as a satin-finish molding for the Beats Edition's bonnet, a polycarbonate kick plate and velvet mats with a '500' logo.

For 2014, the 500L in regular, Trekking and Living trims can be had with two new engines, 1.6-liter MultiJet II turbodiesel and the 1.4-liter T-Jet turbo'd petrol, both producing 120PS (118hp).

The diesel unit delivers a peak torque of 320Nm at 1,750 rpm offering the 500L a top speed of 189km/h (117mph), a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of 10.7 seconds and a combined fuel consumption on the European cycle of 4.6l/100km (equal to 51.1mpg US / 61.4mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 120g/km.

With Euro 6 type approval, the petrol engine produces a maximum torque of 215Nm from as low as 2,500 rpm, enabling the 500L to reach a top speed of 189km/h (117mph), sprint from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and return a combined economy of 6.9l/100km (equal to 34.1mpg US / 40.9mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 159g/km.

In the coming weeks, Fiat will also add a petrol/LPG version of the 1.4 T-Jet engine with a maximum power of 120PS (118hp) at 5,000 rpm, a top speed of 189 km/h (117mph), acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds, a combined consumption of 8.9 l/100 km (26.4mpg US / 31.7mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 144 g/km.

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New Fiat 500L Trekking Available for Order from £17,095 in the UK

The crossover-flavored version of the new Fiat 500L minivan named Trekking is now available for order in Britain with prices ranging from £17,095 OTR for the 1.4L 94hp (95PS) petrol to £19,590 for the 1.6L 104hp (105PS) MultiJet diesel.

There are two more engine options for buyers, including the 104hp (105PS) 0.9-liter turbo'd two cylinder petrol and the 84hp (85PS) 1.3-liter MultiJet diesel, with the latter being the only model in the range to be offered with an optional automated Dualogic transmission in addition to the standard manual gearbox.

Like most soft crossovers of its kind, the Trekking distances itself from the regular 5-seater 500L through a 13mm raised suspension, different 17-inch alloy wheels with Mud and Snow tyres, and a cosmetic package comprising specific front and rear bumpers, side skirts and mouldings, air intakes, skid-plate and standard fog lights.

While it keeps the front-wheel drive configuration of the standard 500L, the Trekking adds the so-called "Traction+" system that is claimed to improve traction over harsh and slippery terrain by simulating the behaviour of a self-locking electromechanical differential.

Standard features on all models include 5-inch touchscreen radio with Bluetooth, six airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) including ASR/MSR, Hill Holder, ABS +EBD, body-coloured electric door mirrors, cruise control, leather gearknob and steering wheel, automatic dual zone climate control, rear parking sensors, electric windows, automatic lights with rain sensors, and rear armrest.

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Fiat Debuts New XL Version of 500L Named Living with Seating for Seven

As promised, Fiat is expanding both the range and the 500L itself with a longer, seven seater version of its small minivan dubbed the 500L Living, which will soon go on sale in Europe, but will not be offered in North America where it sells only the shorter 500L.

To squeeze in a third row of seats, which as you have probably already guessed, are big enough for children or adults who you despise (hence Fiat's description of the seating as 5+2), the Italians increased the length of the Living by 210mm (8.2 inches) for a total of 4,350mm (171.3 inches) and the height by 10mm to 1,670mm (65.7 inches), while the width remains unchanged at 1,780mm (70 inches).

Fiat didn't say how much space is left for baggage with the last row of seats used (from the pictures, we’re guessing not that much, if any), but when folded down, the 500L Living has an impressive luggage volume of 638 liters (22 cubic feet), or 238 liters more than the five-seater 500L.

Besides the even more awkward appearance of the Living, nothing else has changed over the 500L with available engine options including two petrols, a 94hp (95PS) 1.4-liter and a 104hp (105PS) 0.9-liter TwinAir Turbo, and a pair of diesels, a 104hp (105PS) 1.6-liter unit and the 84hp (85PS) 1.3-liter MultiJet II, the latter also with an automatic transmission.

Fiat said it will offer the car in Europe in two trim levels (Pop Star and Lounge), both with 5 or 7 seats, 19 body colors (including 11 two-tone combinations) and 6 interior trims, plus 15 different styles of alloy wheels and hub caps (yes, some brands still make them…).

The 500L Living will be manufactured alongside the 500L in Fiat's new Serbian factory at Kragujevac, with first orders to open in Italy next month, followed by more European countries later in the year.

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2014 Fiat 500L Arrives in the U.S. with a $19,100 Sticker Price

Fiat has launched the 500L small MPV in the United States, with the first cars to arrive in dealerships this June. Priced from $19,100 (equal to €14,790), excluding an $800 destination charge, the 500L will be available with four equipment lines – the base 500L Pop, 500L Easy, 500L Trekking and 500L Lounge.

Sporting a similar style to the much smaller 500, the "L" model adds two extra doors and room inside for five passengers. Fiat says the 500L offers 42 percent extra interior space, but that’s pretty obvious for anyone looking at the two models put side by side: besides the name and the related styling, they are very different cars.

In the U.S., the 500L will be available with a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine good for 160 horsepower and mated to a standard six-speed transmission or an optional six-speed auto. The base 500L Pop model comes equipped with the manual and has standard features such as air conditioning, power lock and windows, cruise control, body-color instrument panel, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with trip computer, miles-to-empty, average fuel economy and tire-pressure monitoring (TPM) display, steering wheel controls, 60/50 split-fold rear seatbacks, among others.

Additional equipment includes the Uconnect 5.0 with 5-inch touchscreen display, radio voice commands, handsfree phone, Bluetooth-audio streaming, text message reader, personalization settings and media hub (USB and auxiliary ports) for seamless integration of portable devices.

Safety features include seven airbags, electronic stability control (ESC) with Hill-start Assist, vehicle theft security alarm, reactive front head restraints and child seat anchor system.

Starting at $20,195, the 500L Easy model adds standard 16-inch aluminum wheels, front-seat center console with armrest, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with chrome accent and a six speaker Fiat premium audio system with 520-watt amplifier.

The Fiat 500L Trekking brings a crossover appearance to the car with aggressively designed two-piece front and rear fascias with graphite inserts, fog lamps, door handles and unique lower front- and rear-fascia accents, among others. It also features larger 17-inch aluminum wheels, while on the inside it has a painted instrument panel bezel and a unique two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior environment. The 500L Trekking costs $21,195.

Finally, the Fiat 500L Lounge (starting from $24,195) is fitted as standard with a Twin Clutch six-speed transmission, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel available in two colors, heated leather front seats with power four-way adjust, two-way power driver’s side lumbar, integrated armrest with cup holders, automatic dual-zone climate control and auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass.

It's worth mentioning that for the upper three trim levels in the first year of production, Fiat will offer a no-charge Premier Package with ParkSense rear-park assist, ParkView rear back-up camera and Uconnect 6.5 with a larger 6.5-inch touchscreen and navigation.

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