Fiat 500L to spawn new family 20 | 04 | 2012

FIAT HAS PLEDGED that the new 500L, which was debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will spawn a new family of multi-purpose vehicles.

And the new Fiat family — which will enter Scottish showrooms early next year, with prices starting around £15,000 — is set to go head-to-head with established rivals from Mini.

Take the 500L: the ‘L’ stands for Large. Not only will it be a direct competitor for the Mini Countryman — at 4141mm it's 50mm longer and 100mm taller than the Mini — but it will be cheaper. It will also have five conventional doors and five seats.

See more official images of the Fiat 500L family

The interior of the 500L, which will be built in Serbia on a development of the Punto Evo platform, promises to be light and airy thanks to its deep windows, narrow, twin A-pillars and a panoramic glass roof.

Three trim levels of the 500L will be available: Pop, Easy and Lounge, the same range as is available in the standard Fiat 500. And, of course, Fiat will offer an extensive range of personalisation options.

The 500L will be followed in 2014 by a seven-seater version, expected to be badged XL (no surprise with that name!). It's also safe to expect a rugged, front-wheel-drive 'Cross' version to follow.

Power across the new 500L range will come from a selection of engines, including a choice of two petrol engines (0.9 litre TwinAir and 1.4 four-cylinder) and two diesels (1.3 and 1.6).

Read our roadtest of the new Fiat Panda TwinAir

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Jim McGill