By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos FCA US LLC
Building on the style, efficiency and driving enjoyment that has made the Fiat 500 an icon, the Fiat 500L Trekking expands the Cinquecento’s appeal by offering extra interior space with comfortable seating for five, engaging driving dynamics, a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine.
Exterior
Designed with the active and thrill-seeking North American customer in mind, the 2015 Fiat 500L Trekking expands the appeal and practicality of the Fiat 500L with distinct, rugged looks; an athletic two-tone interior environment; unique front and rear fascia designs; flared wheel arches and larger 17-inch wheels to support its adventurous personality.
Making the Fiat 500L Trekking distinct from the 500L Pop, Easy and Lounge models is the addition of aggressively styled front and rear fascias with Grigio Chiaro (graphite) accents for a bolder look. Unique Grigio Chiaro wheel arch and body-side sill moldings give the Fiat 500L Trekking a more adventurous look, while larger 17 x 7-inch aluminum wheels hint at the urban-utility vehicle’s handling capabilities. For 2015, exterior paint colors for the 500L Trekking include the new and exclusive Blue Tornado, Grigio Scuro (gray), Verde Bosco Perla (forest green), Rossa Perla (Deep Lava Red), Mocha Latte, Bianco (white), Nero (black) and Giallo (yellow).
Interior
A unique two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior environment continues the Fiat 500L Trekking’s rugged athletic theme. At the center of it all, an Uconnect 5.0 system features a 5-inch intelligently and intuitively designed touchscreen interface, handsfree calling and Bluetooth streaming audio, as well as voice-command control of the radio and a media hub for seamless integration of portable devices.
Also available on the Fiat 500L Trekking is the Uconnect 6.5 model with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, voice operation of AM/FM and standard SiriusXM Radio, mobile phones and navigation with intuitive map graphics. Additional features include handsfree calling, text messaging and audio streaming via compatible Bluetooth-enabled phones, personalization settings and a premium media hub with USB and auxiliary ports, as well as SD card reader. Both Uconnect 5.0 and 6.5 systems are available with optional ParkView rear backup camera.
Engine and Transmission
Paired with its tight European handling and quick steering, the sixth dimension, Liters, defines the fuel-efficient MultiAir Turbo engine, providing class-leading standard horsepower per liter (117 hp/liter) with an output of 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. For driver precision and control, the Fiat 500L Trekking features a six-speed AISIN heavy duty six-speed automatic transmission.
Summary
The Fiat 500L Trekking offers customers the Italian style of the Fiat 500 with more space and functionality to suit their lifestyle. Building upon the Cinquecento’s fun-to-drive DNA, the 2015 Fiat 500L Trekking features a touring-tuned chassis, which complements its MultiAir Turbo engine’s best-in-class horsepower and torque.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $21,545.00, the one I drove included the Customer Preferred Package 23G Trekking Collection 5 and the AISIN Heavy Duty 6-Speed Automatic transmission, and it came in at $29,795.00 including destination charge. The EPA fuel economy estimates 22 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
