Fiat plans four new 500s for UK 01 | 11 | 2012

FIAT WILL INTRODUCE four new variants of the Fiat 500 into Scottish dealerships over the next 12 months. The first, the five-seat compact MPV 500L (pictured), will arrive in February.

A seven-seater, internally being referred to as the 500XL, will follow in September, though it's predicted to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

A rugged 500L Trekking arrives before the end of 2013, with the final variant, the Mini Countryman-rivalling 500X crossover, entering showrooms in spring 2014.

New options for upgraded Fiat 500

The 500XL, not surprisingly, will be “longer and wider” than the 500L: the pair will, essentially mirror the Ford pairing of Grand C-Max and C-Max.

To avoid confusion with the name of the 500X crossover, the 'extended 500L' will not be badged 500XL.

Fiat will give the Trekking a rugged look by adding body cladding and raising its ride height. In addition, though it will be front-wheel drive only, the Trekking will have an electronic traction control to give it some of the off-road abilities of an all-wheel drive vehicle. A similar approach is already in place with the Panda Trekking.

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Jim McGill