A seven-seat version of the Fiat 500L
people carrier has been revealed. The all-new 500L MPW is the sixth and largest
member of the company’s rapidly expanding 500 family, lining up with the 500,
500C, Abarth 500, 500L and 500L Trekking. Plus, it’s set to be joined by a
seventh model – the 500X compact SUV before the end of the year, too.
New
500L Magic Purpose Wagon is 203mm longer than regular model.
The 500L MPW is essentially a stretched
version of the five-seat 500L. It’s 203mm longer, at 4,350mm long, although
that’s 170mm shorter than the Ford Grand C-MAX. All the extra cabin space has
allowed engineers to squeeze in a third row of seats – just don’t expect acres
of room.
Fiat is calling it a 5+2 layout, hinting
that the third row is reserved for small children. The additional seats fold
flat into the floor, leaving a level load area with 638 liters of space. Buyers
can pick from two petrol engines – a 94bhp 1.4 and 104bhp 0.9 TwinAir – plus
104bhp 1.6 and 84bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesels.
Stretched
Fiat seats seven, but expect third row to be best left for kids
There’ll also be a choice of Pop Star and
Lounge trims, along with 19 colors (11 of which are two-tone combos), six
interior trims and 15 alloy wheel designs. If you’re feeling flush, luxury kit
such as leather, sat-nav and a rear camera is available as an option.
Order books for the family-friendly 500L
MPW will open next month at the same time as the car makes its official debut
at a preview event in Milan. The price has yet to be revealed, but expect a $2,255
increase over the 500L, which rangers from $22,559 for the 1.4 Pop Star to
$28,420 for the top-spec 1.6-litre diesel.
A
seven-seat version of the Fiat 500L
The Easy trim from the 500L has vanished –
a move presumably driven by low customer demand in Europe. The 500L MPW is
called the 500L Living on the Continent, hence the number plate on the
left-hand-drive car in our images, but here in the UK MPW stand for Magic
Purpose Wagon, quashing the rumors that this model would be badged the 500XL.
Although customers in Italy will be able to
get their hands on the MPW from July, UK buyers will have to wait until
September for first deliveries. The car will also make an appearance at that
month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
