FIAT Rolls Out The 500L And The Hot Racing Abarth Version

The new Fiat 500L is make its world debut tomorrow at the Geneva International Motor Show. The 500L, where L stands for 'Large' is the new addition to the 500 line, along with the Abarth and Cabrio versions.

Large But Not Bloated. With the 'L', the 500 model tackles the conundrum of large but not big, yet allows for a comfortable and roomy interior. If the 500 is the super-compact car perfect for many, the Fiat 500L will allow you to bring children, family and friends on longer journeys. The 500L still manages to encapsulate that particular Italian style with its distinctive look. Aiming for space efficiency, something until now only the BMW Mini currently tackles, what distinguishes the Fiat 500 so far as its respect of its original design.

Designed by the Centro Stile Fiat, it drew its inspiration from the cab forward concept, which aimed to achieve a better external visibility format with a flood of light inside the habitat. The glass roof top is the largest in its category and allows much light in the passenger compartment.

A Little FIAT History. Unknown to our shores, the original FIAT 600 Multipla was the forerunner of the concept of compact modern cars. The 500L reinterprets it in a modern way, while sticking to FIAT’s “Simply More” philosophy.

The modern 500L is a benchmark for inside space, the best in its category in relation to its external dimensions. It can even accommodate up to 5 roller suitcases or a full-size push chair in it.

Technically Speaking. The Fiat 500L will be introduced with two gas versions, the TwinAir and the 1.4-litre, along a 1.3 MultiJet II turbodiesel engine in Europe for the last quarter of 2012. It will also be available with the 0.9-litre TwinAir, that received multiple award as the two-cylinder engine that set a world fuel consumption and emissions record thanks high-efficiency turbo.

Racing The Abarth 500. If the 500L is not your cup of tea, FIAT has you covered with its blistering fast Abarth version, which you will be able to race. Enrolment for the 2012 edition of "Make it your race" is aimed as the first international talent show for aspiring drivers aged from 18 to 40. With a selected 105 amateur drivers from across Europe, the challenge will be to prove yourself against each other in order to win the ultimate award, competing at the wheel of a real Abarth 500 "Assetto Corse". This Trofeo Abarth 500 is raced with professionals. Karl Abarth, who founded the Scorpion brand would be proud to see the latest iteration of its mark promoting racing and making it available to almost anyone.

With over 10,000 pre-enrolments collected in six countries, the numbers suggest this will be very successful. 2011 proved to be more than 5000 people competed at the wheel of a real race car.

How Does It Work? From the 105 people who sign up for a special driving experience at the Abarth Driving Academy, 24 will be selected as the best and will take part in a boot camp, where they will live out a dream team experience for a week. They will learn to put their abilities to the test, facing challenges, learning in an unparalleled way.

A further selection process using a race course will prepare them to face the adrenaline rush of the track, ensuring safety through a strenuous series professional, technical and practical training. This stage will narrow the competition down to six finalists who will be able to take to the track in an Abarth 500 "Assetto Corse" together with professional drivers. This will happen in the Trofeo Abarth test on the Franciacorta circuit, in the famous town of Brescia, Italy on 24 June 2012. The driver who achieves the best overall place will have a car all to themselves in addition to the possibility of racing in an Abarth 500 Assetto Corse again.

FIAT is beating the iron while still hot. The international success of the FIAT 500 has been successfully followed with various introductions of models answering the desires and needs of an ever growing model. With the FIAT 500L, the company can now appeal to those wanting a small car with enough room for 5, while with the energetic FIAT 500 Abarth, it rekindles the passion or racing.