The updated 500L now features automatic emergency braking and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interiors are completely new but there are subtle changes only to the exterior. The car will continue to be sold in three variants abroad, albeit re-named Urban, Cross and Wagon. Urban is the standard car, Cross is the off-road friendly version with added ground clearance and styling tweaks, and the Wagon model is the seven-seat extended version.
The Cross sees ground clearance improved by 25mm and features a rugged exterior trim with skid plates and cladding. The car features three drive modes – Normal, Traction+ and Gravity Control.
Fiat claims that there are 1,500 configurations available for the seven-seat Wagon’s interior. Boot space is 638 litres in its five-seat configuration or 416 litres with the last row in place.
Fiat has also overhauled the engines. The 1.4-litre 16V and T-Jet petrol units provide 95hp and 120hp respectively, while a 105hp Twinair two-cylinder is also available. The 1.3-litre 95hp and 120hp 1.6-litre Multijet diesel engines continue, and are now compliant to Euro-VI emissions.
While the 500L won’t make it to India, the company is currently offering a high-performance version of the standard 500, the Abarth 595 Competizione at its dealerships.