Fiat 500L - Road test
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This larger variant of the 500, compared to the 600 Multipla more than the 500 Giardiniera, combines the convenience of living with a level of care and finish that surpasses current Fiat standards.
On the road you appreciatealmost sporty finish and engine with delivery liquid.
Security equipment is complete, but you cannot get it at the moment. automatic emergency brakingis expected soon.
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It would be nice to see the expression on Dante Giacosa's face before 500L.
He, the father of a real 50s Cinquino, dreamed of a small car and made it small, solid and simple, but beautiful.
Even when compared to the 600 1957 Multipla, the 500L does achieve a Giacosy-style transgression: body length from one bumper to the other is 4,15 meters (5 cm longer than the Mini Countryman).
And if that wasn't enough Fiat The XL version is already available, even longer (+15 cm), even with seven seats.
So what 500By now, both models of the family have understood this so much that in the mountainous areas we are starting to look forward to the 500X with all-wheel drive and 5-door bodywork (possibly in 2013).
But back to our 500L test.
This is the Pop Star version equipped with engine 1.3 HP 85 Multijet, the latest version of the well-known four-cylinder engine, with improved economy of use thanks to the use of a smart alternator (which charges the battery, especially when braking) and a new oil pump that uses less energy. keep the lubrication system under pressure.
city
Obviously, the classic 500, with its 3,55 meter length, is more agile and, above all, easier to park than its big sister.
However, the 500L has good arrows in city traffic.
First, it provides good visibility while driving, making it easier to control pedestrians and cyclists.
A good front and side view improves safety when crossing intersections and gives passengers a pleasant feeling of being immersed in the city.
The steering is lightweight and there is also a City button that increases electric assist at city speeds to make it easier to drive at low speeds.
However, when parking, you realize that the visibility provided by the rear window is incomparable with the visibility of other windows, so you will have to rely more on the acoustic signal of the parking sensors (€ 300) than on your own vision.
However, to acquire City Brake Control, you will have to wait several months: the device manages to activate emergency braking in the event of an imminent impact (below 30 km / h).
In terms of comfort, the suspension is not soft, but quite filtering, thanks to the car's long wheelbase (261 cm) and good travel.
Outside the city
The dress is not made by the priest.
A popular saying that we often overlook.
Don't believe me? Bad.
Take a look at this example: Looking at a parked 500-liter car, you might think that with this volume attached to the nose of the Cinquecento, it looks more like a sloth than a hare on turns.
And, on the other hand, just a few "left and right" is enough to change your mind: the setting is tough and allows you to quickly enter corners.
The behavior is almost athletic, so much so that you end up exaggerating.
And deal with the inevitable understeer.
Because the front suspension is pretty stiff, and so when the tires buckle, the nose widens.
This is the price to pay if you choose a tall vehicle that has little support.
But understeer is easy to fix even before the ESP kicks in, and the 500L is a joy to drive.
And even the stomachs of the passengers thanks: skiing is the enemy of those who suffer from motion sickness.
The steering, despite the typical filter feel from electrical controls, is ultimately not bad: not overly adaptable and quite stable in speed and direction changes.
These maneuvers value the rear end, which remains firmly on the ground, which barely allows the ESP to have its say.
In short, it is a car with a safe position, even when the steering is used too much to overcome a sudden obstacle.
The engine is not very powerful, but it has a fluid supply and allows you to move smoothly: when overtaking, if necessary, it expands to 5.000 rpm.
шосе
Finally a quiet Fiat.
The 500L has two trump cards at fast speed: aerodynamics, which does not cause roar, and wheel arches, which filter the rolling of the tires well.
So, if the 67db figure recorded at 130km/h is just a number that says a lot to the technicians and little to the layman, we assure you this car rides nicely subdued.
In addition, the salon is large and spacious: the air conditioning is well distributed.
Everything is perfect? Practically, because the structure, if you look closely, is rigid enough to hold the hull in the corners, but also to transfer some of the shock from the flashing of the viaducts.
A well-insulated engine stays below 130 rpm at 3.000 km / h.
The tachometer needle is in the ideal place because it is low enough to optimize consumption, but also at the right point to maintain pressure in the turbine and provide maximum pressure in case you have to stretch out during a difficult overtaking.
But even as you descend to around 90 km / h, there is plenty of traction to get back to cruising speed without having to shift into fourth gear.
Because sometimes climbing is a lot of hassle.
Life on board
The 500L also prepares coffee thanks to a bottle-shaped machine designed by Lavazza, which went on sale for around 250 euros.
Okay, good idea, but let's break down the more specific aspects that fall within the realm of everyday use.
The seats are comfortable: the driver's seat has real height adjustment (the 500, on the other hand, has an uncomfortable tilt system).
The steering wheel has a column that goes up and down, but goes deep: this time without casualties.
Unfortunately, the backrests are jerky, with a lever instead of a more comfortable and precise worm screw.
The level of decoration is good.
The dashboard has an original design with elements taken from the "baby" 500 and Panda (handbrake and steering wheel).
The plastic used is not all soft, but on an uneven one, despite the brake suspension, no squeaks are heard. There is plenty of room in both the front and back.
There are plenty of storage compartments, some of which are really useful, such as those built into the backs of the front seats. But this is not all standard: for example, a box under the passenger seat costs 60 euros, a rear armrest costs 90 euros, and tables built into the backs of the front seats cost 100 euros.
Strictly standard are the right front seat that folds into a table, Isofix mounts, a pull-out sofa and a height-adjustable cargo surface with a hidden cab.
In short, in terms of versatility, Fiat has thought of pretty much everything.
Price and costs
The 500L 1.3 Multijet Pop Star we tested costs € 19.350 turnkey.
But this is the starting price, because it would be necessary to add those options that are now considered indispensable: fog lights (200 euros), automatic climate control (400), radio with a 5-inch touchscreen (600), metal (550), for a total of 1.750 euros.
Thus, the "real" price list reaches 21.100 XNUMX.
Compared to the similar Mini Countryman, the 500L still costs less and remains competitive.
When it comes to usage costs, ours is even better.
Consumption is low: in our test we drove 18,8 km / l.
In addition, there is a reduced 1.3 engine maintenance, which, thanks to the timing chain, does not require costly repairs up to 240.000 km.
And the reduced offset acts as a damper for the Rca tariff calculation.
safety
The 500L conveys driving safety: the tuning is genuine, unmistakable stability, and the brakes stop the car in a small space (39 meters at 100 km / h), but above all keep the trajectory.
Compared to the regular 500, the lighting in the back has been removed.
Braking is powerful yet reliable: four discs (284 mm, ventilated in front) withstand loads well and do not deform under the influence of heat.
And given that the 500L is not light (1.315 kg) and offers ample loading options, having proper brakes is always a good thing.
Standard equipment includes six airbags (front, side and head), with one for the passenger's knees soon to be available.
ESP comes standard and includes Hill Holder and Active Steering features to automatically engage small steering when needed.
Additional features include cornering fog lamps that illuminate interior cornering corners and automatic emergency braking, soon to be offered in the City Brake Control package, which truly enhances active safety and reduces the risk of distraction.
It's a shame that there are no other devices available, such as a vehicle tracking device or an optical road sign reader: these are accessories that can make the difference.
Our findings
Acceleration
| 0-50 km / h | 4,9 |
| 0-80 km / h | 10,2 |
| 0-90 km / h | 12,1 |
| 0-100 km / h | 15,2 |
| 0-120 km / h | 22,4 |
| 0-130 km / h | 28,6 |
recovery
| 50-90 km / h | 4 9,6 |
| 60-100 km / h | 4 9,7 |
| 80-120 km / h | 4 11,8 |
| 90-130 km / h for 5 | 18,2 |
Braking
| 50-0 km / h | 9,8 |
| 100-0 km / h | 39,5 |
| 130-0 km / h | 64,2 |
noise
| 50 km / h | 48 |
| 90 km / h | 64 |
| 130 km / h | 67 |
| Max Air conditioning | 71 |
Fuel
Achieve
Journey
| Media | 18,8 |
| 50 km / h | 47 |
| 90 km / h | 85 |
| 130 km / h | 123 |
Kettlebell
engine
