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Fiat 500L MPV Unveiled – Future 7 Seater

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Apr 272012

Fiat 500L – Large

Fiat has recently developed a Punto Evo platform called ‘Small Wide’, which has subsequently led to the development of the 500L, a five-door hatchback based on the 500 model, but bigger. The ‘L’ in the name stands for ‘Large’, as this vehicle measures an impressive 4,140mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,660mm high.

Fiat 500L - A Future 7 Seater

Fiat 500L – Five Seat Model

The standard five-seater model ‘500L’ will go on sale in UK in Feb 2013, with both petrol and diesel engines available (0.9L Twin Air or 1.4L four-cylinder for petrol, 1.3L or 1.6L for diesel), and prices expected to start at around £15,000.

Fiat 500L – Seven Seat Model

There will, however, be a seven-seat Fiat 500L available in 2014, which features two extra seats that can be folded away when they’re not needed. This version has a rear overhang of 20cm, but is the same width as the 500L.

Fiat 500L – SUV Cross Model

The range is likely to be expanded even further soon, with talk of an SUV ‘Cross’ model being added. While it won’t have four-wheel drive, it will have traction control, extra body cladding and a raised suspension to make it suitable for off-roading.

Fiat 500L – Colours and Styles

The 500L has been likened to the Fiat Panda in terms of interior, and the Punto in terms of size and shape. It will be available in a variety of colours and a choice of three different styles: ‘Pop’, ‘Easy’ and ‘Lounge’, with lots of extra options to enable consumers to personalise their cars.

Fiat 500L – Design

One of these options is the roof, with a range of choices including a sliding glass sunroof and a full-length panoramic glass roof, making the interior seem even more spacious and airy. However, consumers will be able to opt for the standard metal roof if they wish. But the spaciousness doesn’t stop there; the 500L features a large boot and folding rear seats to provide extra boot space.

Fiat 500L – Stylish and Functional Interior

According to Fiat, the interior was the main focus of the design process. It’s stylish yet functional design features a touch-screen display for ease of use and a square trim around the wheel to create a quirky ‘squircle’ design. All materials are also high quality, durable and easy to clean. Large windows and minimal pillars have been used to make the inside of the car as light as possible, making it seem even bigger.

Fiat 500L - Five Seat Model

Fiat 500L – Comfort

As far as comfort goes, the Fiat 500L delivers plenty of leg-room and extra detail has gone into the rear seats, such as a super-soft cushion for the middle, making the usually uncomfortable seat more appealing.
500L production is based in Serbia at the newly renovated Zastava plant in Kragujevac.

Fiat MPVs

Other Fiat MPVs include the Fiat Doblo Family Edition, Fiat Multipla (6 Seater), Scudu Combi and a possible Fiat Freemont.

Prius+ set for July release in the UK

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Apr 192012

Toyota Prius+ Launce Date

It’s been a longtime coming, but finally Toyota has announced the launch date of its much-anticipated hybrid 7-seater. The Prius+, as it will be known in Europe, is set to hit dealerships in the UK on July 9, more than a year after it first debuted in Japan and eight months after it was first made available in the US. What with the Japanese tsunami last year delaying its introduction, this is perhaps the most hotly anticipated 7-seater for years.

Prius+ Launch Date July 2012

Toyota Prius+ Price

So what can we expect from the first hybrid 7-seater to arrive in the UK? In terms of price, it’s a very respectable £26,195 ranging up to £29,495 for the top-of-the-range version, the T Spirit. The third row is designed for children only really, a trade-off that is common on many family crossover 7-seaters. This becomes particularly necessary for a vehicle required to stow away an ion-lithium battery and must keep weight to a minimum to secure that all important fuel efficiency. In terms of cargo space, there are 200 litres at the back of the vehicle when all the seats are being used and just over 500 litres when the third row is folded down.

Toyota Prius+ Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency produced by this vehicle is nothing short of outstanding, especially for a car so large. The basic trim level manages 68.9 miles per gallon producing just 96g of C02 per kilometre. That’s just 1g of CO2 per kilometre above the European standard set for 2020. The top trim level is not quite so good for the environment, or your wallet for that matter, but it still does a whole lot better than your average minivan. Fuel efficiency comes in at a very decent 64.2 mpg, while C02 emissions are 100g per km.

Toyota Prius+ Decent Standard Features

In basic trim there are a plenty of decent standard features, so don’t just opt for the top trim level without working out exactly what you need (and don’t need). At no extra cost come 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker touch-screen audio system, Bluetooth mobile connectivity, a rear-view camera, electric windows and rain-sensing wipers.

Toyota Prius+ Upgrade to Leather

Upgrades include leather seating, an additional two speakers on the sound system, voice recognition and 17-inch alloys. The exterior is part minivan and part saloon. Indeed, Toyota has itself referred to the Prius+ as a minivan, but in truth it doesn’t look anything like as bulky as what you might expect. It is much sleeker than a traditional vehicle of this kind, which is partly explained by its efficient use of space, despite the battery on board.

Toyota Prius+ 7 Seater - Interior Seating

Toyota Prius+ Green Car of the Year

That seems like a pretty good deal for a car that is already winning numerous plaudits. It has already claimed Green Car of the Year for 2012 as awarded by the Green Car Journal, and it was shortlisted for the Car of the Year Japan. In addition, the Green Car Report gave it joint top prize this year in the category Best Car to Buy alongside its sister vehicle the plug-in hybrid. In other words, thePrius+ look looks like a surefire winner.