New Fiat 500L: Why?

Author
Discussion

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
Ooh, that's quite nasty looking. They really are copying MINI.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
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I dont think that is the best picture! It looks better in some other pics Ive seen. I think the biggest problem is that they have used the 500 name when it is so much bigger. 600 or multipla would have been better!

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Tuesday 3rd July 2012
quotequote all
What on earth is that "front A-pillar" doing there though? It looks ridiculous!

It would be a LOT better with the windscreen wrapping cleanly 'round to the front door pillars.

dxg

8,122 posts

259 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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Well, the Americans love it:

Bloke on VWVortex said:
Exterior
With the styling of a London taxi cab, designed by a team of kindergarten children after a night on the town, there's nothing redeeming about the "styling". Dame Edna/BMW 5-series inspired headlights do nothing to help fight Fiat's feminine image in the US. It "looks" like a girl's car before you even open the door. The GIGANTIC Fiat badges are a bit gaudy, and the under-proportioned wheels look like they belong on a 1982 VW Rabbit, not a 2014 automobile where 17-inch wheels are the new norm.

Interior
They simply phoned it in. The ergonomics are the worst I've seen in a modern car. It's like a bunch of Italians got together over Sunday dinner, got drunk and drew up the plans. Too much vino, Vinnie. The climate controls might as well be on the floor. The auto-tragic shifter is 32 feet tall and was inspired by a 1960 VW Bus. The gauges are confusing, and the information box inside the cluster had too many things going on. There's a shelf under the glovebox. Why? How about you just make a bigger glovebox, you stupid Italians! SHARP PLASTIC EVERYWHERE! I would have sworn I had a pre-production mule with the lack of quality in this rolling clown car of sorrow. I left my leather wallet in the cupholder. When I went to retrieve it, the lip on the cupholder scratched it. I think the Serbian's assembled this car during another war, with hastily screwed together parts, while they were ducking bullets and bombs. It's the Yugo quality you would expect from a place that used to assemble well, Yugo's.

Drivetrain
Take the 1.4L turbo from the hot hatch cousin 500 Abarth, and saddle it to a 6-speed dual clutch automatic. Sounds like a great idea right?

WRONG.

In the process the car gained 700 lbs, and the programming for the automatic was done by a schizophrenic. The car NEVER. Not once. Knew what gear it wanted to go into. Ok, fine. I'll use the Tiptronic-style manual shift. Nope. Just kidding. It's a counter intuitive clusterf*ck of an abortion as well. I'd rather row my own gears and this proves that technology isn't always the best. Whomever designed this gearbox should be taken out back and shot. His mother is also a we.

The Ride
If you want a minivan but can't stomach the fact that you would own something named "Dodge" or just want to be an elitist, this car is for you. It rides like a Crown Vic on a comfy pillow. The only part of it's job it does well.

VERDICT?

The worst car I've ever driven.
Also, production apparently started this week on the 500X - the 4x4 version of the 500L that shares a production line with the Jeep Renegrade. I wonder if we'll see either over here?

Fantuzzi

3,297 posts

145 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
quotequote all
When I saw one in the metal it didn't look that bad tbh, but then most normal cars look like the companies have given the designers the day off and got their cat to do it. Fiat group seem particularly bad at it the Giulietta as a good example.

lrs777

238 posts

189 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
quotequote all
dxg said:
Well, the Americans love it:

Bloke on VWVortex said:
Exterior
With the styling of a London taxi cab, designed by a team of kindergarten children after a night on the town, there's nothing redeeming about the "styling". Dame Edna/BMW 5-series inspired headlights do nothing to help fight Fiat's feminine image in the US. It "looks" like a girl's car before you even open the door. The GIGANTIC Fiat badges are a bit gaudy, and the under-proportioned wheels look like they belong on a 1982 VW Rabbit, not a 2014 automobile where 17-inch wheels are the new norm.

Interior
They simply phoned it in. The ergonomics are the worst I've seen in a modern car. It's like a bunch of Italians got together over Sunday dinner, got drunk and drew up the plans. Too much vino, Vinnie. The climate controls might as well be on the floor. The auto-tragic shifter is 32 feet tall and was inspired by a 1960 VW Bus. The gauges are confusing, and the information box inside the cluster had too many things going on. There's a shelf under the glovebox. Why? How about you just make a bigger glovebox, you stupid Italians! SHARP PLASTIC EVERYWHERE! I would have sworn I had a pre-production mule with the lack of quality in this rolling clown car of sorrow. I left my leather wallet in the cupholder. When I went to retrieve it, the lip on the cupholder scratched it. I think the Serbian's assembled this car during another war, with hastily screwed together parts, while they were ducking bullets and bombs. It's the Yugo quality you would expect from a place that used to assemble well, Yugo's.

Drivetrain
Take the 1.4L turbo from the hot hatch cousin 500 Abarth, and saddle it to a 6-speed dual clutch automatic. Sounds like a great idea right?

WRONG.

In the process the car gained 700 lbs, and the programming for the automatic was done by a schizophrenic. The car NEVER. Not once. Knew what gear it wanted to go into. Ok, fine. I'll use the Tiptronic-style manual shift. Nope. Just kidding. It's a counter intuitive clusterf*ck of an abortion as well. I'd rather row my own gears and this proves that technology isn't always the best. Whomever designed this gearbox should be taken out back and shot. His mother is also a we.

The Ride
If you want a minivan but can't stomach the fact that you would own something named "Dodge" or just want to be an elitist, this car is for you. It rides like a Crown Vic on a comfy pillow. The only part of it's job it does well.

VERDICT?

The worst car I've ever driven.
Also, production apparently started this week on the 500X - the 4x4 version of the 500L that shares a production line with the Jeep Renegrade. I wonder if we'll see either over here?
Exactly what you'd expect from a VAG fanboy who decides what he thinks before he even sets foot in car. Top gear gave it 7 out 10 i bet the whole car is pukka and well thought out and the only reason his wallet got scuffed was due to the number of receipts in it for self help books. Lets be honest it's a lot better looking than the average SUV.

Gary C

12,313 posts

178 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
quotequote all
lrs777 said:
Lets be honest it's a lot better looking than the average SUV.
It looks st and the mini looks st.

At lease suv's often look more coherent.

DanB7290

Original Poster:

5,535 posts

189 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
Holy thread resurrection Batman!

In the 2 years since this thread began, I've actually been able to drive one of these 500L things, and it's not too shabby in all honesty. Obviously, now I know it's much bigger than the Panda, and they do the MPW version with 7 seats. They're obviously not the most PH worthy things in existence, but for it's intended purpose it's not too bad, it just looks a little on the awkward side.

The upcoming 500X I'm not so sure on, sure it'll sell quite well, these crossovers do now, but the styling probably won't be the best. I quite like the related Jeep Renegade though, I can't put my finger on why but I just do. Would have to be the Trailhawk version for me though.

lrs777

238 posts

189 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
Gary C said:
It looks st and the mini looks st.

At lease suv's often look more coherent.
Properly ugly...makes the 500l look sexy


TheFinners

543 posts

126 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
Saw a 500XL (7 seater version) the other day, looked absolutely vile. The Juke is far better looking and even better proportioned (although it is distinctive rather than pretty).

lrs777

238 posts

189 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
TheFinners said:
Saw a 500XL (7 seater version) the other day, looked absolutely vile. The Juke is far better looking and even better proportioned (although it is distinctive rather than pretty).
Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but I reckon it looks alright. Particularly the interior. Certainly not vile like the juke, and not likely to make people burst out laughing and point at you like the juke...


carlove

7,539 posts

166 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
I think the Juke is a better looking car, though it is still ugly.
I've seen a few 500Ls now and some XLs. It just doesn't look right, I cant put my finger on it, it might be because the 500 is meant to be a small car and this is actually very big. The green one pictured is at a good angle and actually looks nice, maybe it's the colour.

This picture shows how bad it is, even the Mini is better looking and that's bloody ugly. That Qashqai is much more handsome, and the new one's even better looking.

I can see why people like them though, they are different and quirky, but just not for me.

lrs777

238 posts

189 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
carlove said:
I think the Juke is a better looking car, though it is still ugly.
I've seen a few 500Ls now and some XLs. It just doesn't look right, I cant put my finger on it, it might be because the 500 is meant to be a small car and this is actually very big. The green one pictured is at a good angle and actually looks nice, maybe it's the colour.

This picture shows how bad it is, even the Mini is better looking and that's bloody ugly. That Qashqai is much more handsome, and the new one's even better looking.

I can see why people like them though, they are different and quirky, but just not for me.
Don't get me wrong I am not a fan but cashcow is ste and the most cynically marketed crap like all suv rubbish. It's an epidemic. Even maserati and Alfa are going to do them. Sacrilege.

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Sunday 11th May 2014
quotequote all
I drove one of these a few weeks back.

The controls felt as if they were connected very loosely to the engine, gearbox and wheels.

Roly-poly

Weird, 2 step, long travel accelerator pedal action.

White goods

....And, surprisingly, would hang the tail out if cornered hard, on private land. Not all bad then wink

TheFinners

543 posts

126 months

Monday 12th May 2014
quotequote all
lrs777 said:
Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but I reckon it looks alright. Particularly the interior. Certainly not vile like the juke, and not likely to make people burst out laughing and point at you like the juke...

The colour does help that one a little, although they still look awful from the back. The one I saw was flat white with basic wheels which didn't help at all! Incidentally the 500X Crossover looks quite a bit better.

Gary C

12,313 posts

178 months

Tuesday 13th May 2014
quotequote all
lrs777 said:
Gary C said:
It looks st and the mini looks st.

At lease suv's often look more coherent.
Properly ugly...makes the 500l look sexy

Good example, the 500l looks awkward and ugly. It's out of proportion, the juke looks 'interesting' but it's proportions to me seem better balanced .

dxg

8,122 posts

259 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Has anyone else noticed the leaks of the 500X from Paris next month?

It looks like Fiat have *major* hit on their hands. The Americans seem to be creaming themselves over this:




^^
A poor man's Macan?

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
But presumably the same as the 500L underneath?

BugLebowski

1,033 posts

115 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
lrs777 said:
TheFinners said:
Saw a 500XL (7 seater version) the other day, looked absolutely vile. The Juke is far better looking and even better proportioned (although it is distinctive rather than pretty).
Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but I reckon it looks alright. Particularly the interior. Certainly not vile like the juke, and not likely to make people burst out laughing and point at you like the juke...

Huh there is really no accounting for taste...

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

125 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
But presumably the same as the 500L underneath?
Kinda.

The 500 is a Panda/Ka.
The 500L/XL is a Punto/Doblo/MiTo.
The 500X will be a Jeep Renegade...

Both the L/XL and X are based on the Fiat SCCS platform, but they're sort of different branches of it.