Italian minivan recipe - Fiat 500L Trekking
Car enthusiasts are a bit concerned about the Fiat brand. Trying to sell American cars to European buyers under the Italian flag is not one of Fiat's strange ideas. We can close our eyes to the temporary absence of a successor to Punto or Bravo, but not to the lack of creativity in the case of naming.
Fiat's offer is full of 500 and there is no indication that it will change in the near future. Attackers say that soon we will see such gems as the Jeep 500 Wrangler or 500 Cherokee in the price list. I understand that the success of the smallest of the Fiat range may have falsely suggested to Italian decision makers that other models could benefit from it, but for heaven's sake, what does the 500 have to do with the 500L? Rather, nothing more than a marketing envelope. Still, calling the XNUMXL Multipla III would be more creative. Why?
After all, these cars have a lot in common - a segment, a goal, and, nevertheless, an ambiguous appearance. I keep complaining this way because I have an ulterior motive in it. I rarely drive a car that I can't fault. Of course, I omit the appearance, because it is relative, whether someone likes it or not. So first I decided to torment poor Fiat a little. But let's focus on our hero.
Fiat 500L Trekking is a representative of the K-segment, i.e. urban minivans. It can be a little confusing, because the dimensions of 4270/1800/1679 (length/width/height mm) and the wheelbase of 2612 mm put it on a par with cars like the second generation Renault Scenic or the Seat Altea. The 500L actually looks a lot smaller in the photos than it really is. However, when we approach it in the parking lot, it turns out that this is a large and truly family car. The shape of our test suite immediately shows that functionality and space for travelers were a priority for the designers.
Although the stylists also tried to make the car not scare the streets, the effect of their work should be considered average. However, I would be lying if I wrote that I do not appreciate the variety of materials used and the interesting colors in which you can embody your own. Trekking for 500 l. Chrome, bumper covers or plastic of different textures and colors make a good impression, and in general it does not give the impression of a cheap Chinese. The ability to paint the Trekking in two colors adds youth to the character - the test specimen shimmered with a beautiful green (Toscana) varnish in combination with a white roof and mirrors.
Getting into the car is not difficult. Having opened a really large door, we can almost stand inside. A quick glance at the salon, and I already know that my two-meter editorial colleague can sit here in a hat and still not reach the headliner. The nearly vertical windshield creates plenty of room in front of the driver and passenger. This is definitely a car for people with long arms, because even reaching for the phone, glued to the windshield or cup holder, I (175 cm tall) had to lean forward. The amount of space inside is positively surprising, so I don't understand why Fiat tried to shorten the front seat cushion as much as possible. And now we come to the biggest minus, in my opinion Fiata 500L Trekking – front seats. Short seats, poor lateral support and replacing the driver's armrest are their biggest sins. Although to say “uncomfortable” about them is too much, because the volume of regulation is quite sufficient. But all the way from Warsaw to Krakow, I was wondering how the improved seat design would change my perception of this car. Surprisingly, the back seat is much higher and more comfortable because our hips are much better supported.
Selection of materials for interior decoration Fiata 500L Trekking causes mixed feelings. On the one hand, they frighten with their raw hardness, as in the case of the dashboard, or they are also strange - look at the strange stitching on the steering wheel of an indefinite shape. But on the other hand, everything looks good and the elements are well chosen, so that no disturbing sounds will annoy us while driving.
Speaking of sounds, the Fiat we tested used an audio system signed with a trendy logo. Beats Audio. It consists of 6 speakers, a subwoofer and an amplifier with a power of more than five hundred watts. How does it all sound? The Fiat 500L is aimed at a younger audience that often listens to less sophisticated rhythms. In short, the sound goes well with entertainment music. The speakers make a pretty juicy noise that sounds better than a standard car audio system, but certainly not high-end. Is all this pleasure worth the extra PLN 3000? I think that this amount can be used in different ways.
When it comes to solutions that increase usability Trekking for 500 lI don't have much to complain about. Three decent cup holders, three compartments in front of the passenger, nets and folding tables in the backs of the front seats, as well as pockets in the doors, make it convenient to equip the cabin during the trip. The trunk with a capacity of 400 liters is also equipped with a number of amenities, incl. trade hooks or nets. What I liked the most, though, is the double floor, which helps pack our luggage so that when we're looking for things we don't have to dump the entire contents of the trunk on the pavement. And all thanks to the loading bar, located below the shelf line that separates the levels of the luggage compartment. A simple and very practical solution.
Under the hood of the test Fiata 500L Trekking a diesel engine appeared MultiJet II with a volume of 1598 cm3, developing 105 hp. (3750 rpm) and having a torque of 320 Nm (1750 rpm). Fiat engines are highly regarded by drivers, as they are modern and durable units, characterized by a moderate appetite for fuel. The same is true for our test tube. The driving experience is very surprising, because with a sufficiently large car, and this is 500 liters (weight about 1400 kg), it would seem that 105 hp. - this is not enough, but here is a surprise. The subjective feeling of driving is as if the engine has become at least twenty hp. more. All this is likely due to the appropriate gearing of the manual transmission as well as high torque. Unfortunately, the technical data somewhat cool my enthusiasm - 12 seconds to "hundreds" is an average result. As for the engine, it is also worth adding that it is quite loud in the parking lot, and our measurements confirm this. It is reassuring that at high speeds the engine is not audible, but it is quiet in the cabin.
The burning values declared by the manufacturer are only slightly different from what I recorded during the test. Smooth off-road driving will consume less than 5 liters of diesel for every 100 kilometers driven (4,1 claimed). A clogged city will take more than 6 liters from the tank. So, firstly, visits to the distributor will not ruin our pocket, and secondly, they will not be too frequent, because a 50-liter tank will allow us to safely go 1000 km.
Trip Fiat 500L Trekking gives a lot of pleasure. Its suspension is simple (McPherson struts in front, torsion beam in the rear), but is set up to combine quiet and efficient pick-up with the confidence-inducing agility I appreciate when cornering. The high seating position, plenty of ground around and tight turning radius means the 500L also performs well in the city. I really like the Dualdrive power steering, which makes it easier to maneuver in tight lanes at lower speeds. The higher suspension, which is the property of the Trekking variety, will be useful if we live in a place where there is no asphalt yet. However, I have no idea what task the mysterious Traction+ system performs. The theory is that this "improves the traction of the drive axle on less traction surfaces". Unfortunately, the snow had already melted and I did not have the courage to go (and, probably, bury) into the muddy area. In day-to-day use, the Fiat 500L Trekking does a good job of turning Traction+ on and off, despite being front-wheel drive only.
Fiat is currently selling last year's 500L Trekking. What does this mean for clients? For the basic version of our test tube, we would have to pay PLN 85 before the discount, which, however, is quite a large amount. After the discount, the price dropped to PLN 990, so given the rich equipment we get in return, this is a reasonable price. If you liked the Fiat 72L Trekking but would like to spend less on it, the cheapest version with a 990 500V 1,4KM petrol engine costs PLN 16.
Model 500L Trekking suffered a bit from Fiat. Its name offends, so buyers consider it a small and expensive car. He is also offended by the stylistic resemblance to his younger brother. However, my experience with this car shows that familiarity with the 500L Trekking is more intimate. So if you're looking for a city car that's good for a long trip, while still accommodating the whole family with luggage, then try the Fiat 500L - I think you won't regret it.
