Those who love the 500 but wish it was a bit bigger are going to be quite pleased with the Fiat 500L. Fiat showed off its enlarged city car at the 2012 LA Auto Show. Unlike many of the rides debuting at the So Cal show, this one is slated for production and will be available in the middle of next year.
The most distinct feature of the Fiat 500L is its two extra doors. The Italian automaker stretched its city car an extra 26 inches and widened it by a total of six inches. This allows five people to sit comfortably inside, something that is more or less impossible with the current 500. The 500L is propelled by a a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine good for 160hp; that's not bad for a micro five-door designed to seat five.
In addition to the Fiat 500L, the more aggressive 500L Trekking was also shown. The 500L Trekking sports 17-inch wheels, meaner exterior components and a colorful and tech-savvy interior. Fiat has yet to release pricing or availability info on its new models.
Family-Friendly Italian Micro Cars
The Fiat 500L Comfortably Seats Five in Style
Trend Themes
1. Micro Car Expansion - There is an opportunity for other car companies to create larger versions of their city cars in response to the success of the Fiat 500L.
2. Family-friendly Cars - Car companies have the potential to create more cars that can seat families comfortably, such as five-door cars that do not compromise on space.
3. Aggressive Exterior Design - There is disruption available for car companies to create cars with a meaner exterior design, as seen in the Fiat 500L Trekking model.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Industry - The automotive industry can focus on creating more micro cars that are suited to city driving, with the potential for five-door models to cater to families.
2. Technology Industry - The technology industry could focus on creating more high-tech and colorful interior designs in cars, similar to the Fiat 500L Trekking model.
3. Travel Industry - The travel industry can adapt to the trend of smaller and more family-friendly cars by offering packages for road trips and destinations where city cars are more practical.