Skip advert
Advertisement

Seven-seat Fiat 500XL revealed

The 500 sub-brand is set to grow again as Fiat prepares a new seven-seat people carrier

Fiat 500XL

The Fiat 500 is about to complete the transition from cute city car to seven-seater MPV – and we have the pictures that prove it. A combination of spy shots and leaked patent office drawings has confirmed that it’s on the way, and will go on sale in mid-2013.

Known internally as the 500XL, it will become the sixth member of the expanding 500 family, joining the 500, 500C, 500L and 500X. The name is by no means signed off, however. A source told us: “For the moment it’s called XL, but that could create some confusion with the 500X.

Advertisement - Article continues below

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it was changed for production. You never know with Fiat: Alfa’s Giulietta was called Milano until two weeks before launch.”

The 500XL is based on the five-seater 500L, and will use the same platform and therefore get the same wheelbase. The extra interior space, for the third row of seats, will come from a rear overhang extended by around 200mm, giving it a length of 4,340mm.

As our image shows, the styling is identical to the 500L, with the exception of the extended roofline and elongated rear window. There’s the same boxy wheelarches, psychedelic rear lights and blacked-out pillars, creating a floating roof which will be available in a variety of colours. There’s also a transparent A-pillar – a trick from the 500L to improve forward visibility.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The dashboard design from the 500L will be carried over unchanged with the same combination of body-coloured plastic inserts and chunky switchgear. To allow access to the final row, the second row of seats will tip up and forward to let passengers through, while all seats will slide back and forward individually.

Although the styling is bound to split opinion, it’s worth remembering this is effectively a replacement for the oddball Multipla, which was known for its spacious interior, not its looks. Combined with the five-seater 500L, the XL will take on family-focused models such as the Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX, plus the Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic.

The 500L has a 400-litre boot, so expect the XL to offer much less than that with all seven seats in place, and around 100 litres more with the third row folded flat into the floor. In fact, all the seats, barring the driver’s, will tip and fold flat, freeing up a huge load area.

The engine line-up will follow the 500L’s, too, which means a pair of petrols will be offered – a 93bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder and a 104bhp version of the turbo 900cc two-cylinder TwinAir engine. Just one diesel will be available – a 1.3-litre Multijet with 84bhp and CO2 emissions of around 115g/km.

And the 500L range won’t end here. Also under development is a 500L Trekking, which will add slightly more rugged bodywork, raised suspension and an electronically controlled front differential to give the car light off-roading ability.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Three-car garage: Maserati GranTurismo, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Fiat 500e for less than a new Grecale
Three-car garage for £100,000 - header image

Three-car garage: Maserati GranTurismo, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and Fiat 500e for less than a new Grecale

The legendary Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio costs nearly £87,000, but we’ve created a desirable all-Italian three-car garage for less through Auto Ex…
Features
27 Aug 2025
New Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector’s Edition 2025 review: chic city car is past its prime
Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition - front tracking

New Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector’s Edition 2025 review: chic city car is past its prime

The new Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition adds some styling flair but does little for a car which is in need of a proper update
Road tests
15 Aug 2025
Best small electric cars to buy 2025
Best small electric cars - header image

Best small electric cars to buy 2025

These compact electric cars offer colossal efficiency
Best cars & vans
4 Aug 2025
New Fiat 500 Hybrid: iconic city car celebrates anniversary by returning to petrol power
New Fiat 500 Hybrid - front tracking

New Fiat 500 Hybrid: iconic city car celebrates anniversary by returning to petrol power

Formerly electric-only Fiat 500 has received a 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine, and a six-speed manual gearbox
News
4 Jul 2025

Most Popular

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years
MG Cyber X design render - front

MG Cyber X will morph into a mini-Mercedes within two years

Boxy small SUV is gearing up for production, and our exclusive images show how the model might look
News
30 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Ford Puma Gen-E granted ultra-low £132 monthly lease
Ford Puma Gen-E - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Ford Puma Gen-E granted ultra-low £132 monthly lease

The EV grant has made the Ford Puma Gen-E a lot cheaper, and lease customers can cash-in with today’s Deal of the Day
News
29 Aug 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Racy and retro Renault 5 for only £188 a month

The Renault 5 is taking the market by storm – and at this price it’s easy to see why. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 30
News
30 Aug 2025