The seven-seat version of the Fiat 500L, called the 500XL, is ready for its market introduction. Now the patent drawings have become public. Centro Stile made no effort in hiding this model, the XL will be introduced to the market early 2013. The introduction will probably take place at the Bologna Motorshow in December. In the meantime the 500L is available at the dealers in Italy (demonstration vehicle), the official sale starts next month (for other parts of Europe it’s October). This Fall the 4×4 version of the Panda will be introduced, so in relation to the crisis (and postponing the next Punto by 90 days) still some good news by Fiat.

Whether the extended version of the 500L will also start in the US is still doubtful. A car of this magnitude with seven seats probably doesn’t generate the kind of buyers attention Fiat aims for, according to some insiders. We, on the other hand, think that the XL-version should be very successful in the US, if only Fiat’s 500 line gets some additional models. Of course China will also be acquainted to the model. The XL is the real replacement for the Multipla, the 500L is more like the successor of the Idea.

The 500XL will not be the final version based on the 500L, the drawings of the ‘Trekking’ have also been made. This version will have more Off Road features and also the appropriate look, fitted with Traction+. All the versions will be built at the factory in Serbia. Let us not forget the more sportive 500X which will be built in Turin. This car is completely different, it only uses the same platform and a lot of shared parts. Some of us think that the 500X (which was shortly shown to the press in Turin) will be present at the Paris auto show next month as a concept. Production will start in Mirafiori at the end of 2013. Because this is not how Fiat normally operates, we cannot be sure of this information. Or is it Fiat’s intention to generate more comments to this model?