Benvenuti amici!
I was fortunate enough, recently, to work the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show. The missus & I provided support for onsite FCA and FIAT specialists. My primary interest, the chance to work (for a day) for FIAT aside, was to hear/see reactions to the automatic transmission ABARTH (I refer to it as the AutoBARTH) and the side-by-side comparisons of the 500L and her off road sister... the 500X. Thankfully, these models made it to our fair city, enabling me to share my thoughts with you via this blog.
I have always maintained I believe the 'X' will help carve out a market for the 'L' a/k/a Elle. Some people have tut-tutted this idea, as the lofty dream of a hardcore FIAT loyalist... believing me unable to see any model as flawed in its execution. Truth be told, until my favorite automaker makes a business move I feel is contrary to what it does best and/or alienates enthusiasts like me, I most definitely am a FIAT loyalist. But that in no way skews my view.
See... I am a keen listener. When many USAmericans fail to 'get' the 500L I don't automatically assume don Giolito missed his mark. This is a top selling offering in its segment in Europe. What immediately comes to my mind, is maybe the FIAT range doesn't offer enough choices. Maybe USAmericans don't want to feel the automaker is telling them they must purchase an Elle, if the standard 500 is too small to be practical in their lives. USAmericans don't like being told what to do. "Maybe I want all wheel drive (AWD)." "Maybe I want to kart the kids around in something sportier." "Maybe I dig the looks of the tiny 500, but I need more space and doors." "Maybe I want to take my FIAT on non-paved roads." The absence of an offering able to meet those desires is something that does not set well in our market, but that absence doesn't mean the current offerings are without a consumer base and true merit. The limited model line-up is doing well.
So, again, I maintain the belief our beloved Elle is in need of a sort of companion car in La Famiglia. She needs a sister that delivers on all those 'maybes', in order for motorists to appreciate the role she plays in the modern FIAT range. My observations, during 8 hours on the auto show floor, indicate that is precisely what will likely take place when the 500X arrives at dealers & dedicated Studios around the country. These observations inspired me to put together a lifestyle-to-lifestyle model comparison.
Let's begin with the 500L…
Let's begin with the 500L…
When don Roberto Giolito and his team set out to design the Elle the idea was to propose a larger vehicle, with design cues from the Cinquecento, offering more creature comforts (for longer commutes and road trips). For all intents & purposes, the funky 4dr/5dr is the Italian alternative to minivans... as opposed to a rival to similarly sized Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV). The 500L is not an SUV. It is a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). MPVs are meant to be urban utilitarian and no model does super-sized errand running with the style of this FIAT.
The Elle delivers many of the creature comforts the 500 simply does not; more doors, more technology, more options and definitely more space. The coach retains the front wheel drive (FWD) of the standard 500 and is powered by what is essentially the ABARTH motor. In North America, the mechanical options come in the form of transmissions and there are three… to match driver preference; 1) C635 6spd manual transmission. 2) C635 DDTC Euro Twin Clutch 6spd transmission, a cutting edge automatic transmission that functions like at manual transmission. 3) AISIN 6-spd automatic transmission.
The Elle is available in four trim levels; 1) Pop very much echoes the Pop trim level of the standard 500. But the standard level of the 500L is more robust that its smaller predecessor. The 500L Pop is available in 6-spd manual transmission. A set-up many 'save the manual' enthusiasts wish was present in her smaller siblings. 2) Easy offers everything Pop delivers plus 16" wheels, contrasting roof and transmission options. 3) Trekking (pictured) adds exterior color options, unique rugged fascias, satin in place of chrome detailing and transmission options. 4) Lounge, not unlike the trim level in its smaller predecessor, gets all Easy offers and then some. It is the slickest looking of the trim levels. It deftly embodies the title of 'City Lounge'.
As you can see, the 500L (Elle) is in no conceivable way, shape or form meant to compete with any AWD 4dr/5dr on the market. It more than likely attracts drivers looking for a unique hatchback, with more doors and real estate than is usually offered in smaller 2dr/3dr hatches. The bonus add to the extra space & doors comes in the way of technological, transmission advances and her distinctive Italian styling.
Looking for something with style that far exceeds minivans and gets you out of a stuffy sedan? Looking for something with best in class visibility? Looking for the best value for your hard-earned bucks? Ever wish you could have purchased the Idea or Sedici? Check out this FIAT offering. Until the arrival of the 500X, the Elle will remain the only Italian 4dr/5dr in the North American market this side of Maserati. In other words, Have space | Will travel.
When FIAT Corporate called on don Giolito to create a sportier, AWD alternative to the 500L the 500X was his reply. As mentioned above, the X is meant to deliver on all the things consumers felt/feel the Elle lacks. The one missing element, in the 500L, that stands out most to this FIATista is the ability to properly cut into the sales of current offerings in the small SUV market.
While working the FIAT booth at the Greater Milwaukee Auto Show, I made note of one standout shopper comment/question, "This one is bigger than the Elle, right?" In reality, the 500L just edges out the X in interior real estate. What likely causes the 500X to appear larger is its stance. The AWD newcomer sits much higher than its sister. One would expect that from a model built on the same platform as the Jeep Renegade.
In North America, the 500X will come with two major mechanical options; 1) What is essentially an ABARTH motor paired with a 6-spd manual transmission. 2) A 2.4 liter 180hp motor paired with a 9-spd automatic transmission… powering front and all wheel drive options. It is likely the manual option will only be available at the base trim level for this model. I imagine ABARTH fans, with a need for more space and an extra gear, will gravitate towards that choice and the mods will soon follow at a furious pace.
The 500X will be available in 4 trim levels; 1) Pop. 2) Easy will sit on 17" wheels. 3) Lounge. 4) Trekking. The Lounge and the Trekking model will sit on 18" wheels and, especially with the Trekking, will benefit from more of an off road focus. There are already rumors of an ABARTH version of the 500X... that is something I don't think would work for the Elle. FIAT seems keen to offer as many different options as possible.
The Pop & Easy trims, to me, appear to be set up as more mainstream looking versions of the aforementioned 500L. Some may think me mad, but offering the X in much the same packages (Pop, Easy) as the Elle helps create the market for her. I feel confident making this claim, due to styling comments I overheard while working the auto show mentioned at the start of this entry. Some shoppers dig the quirkiness that is the 500L. In essence, FIAT has cut out other brand options and created their own, in-house option. No more need to drive to the next dealer lot. It's a brilliant stroke in sales strategy.
The X attracts a different kind of Italian car enthusiast... the FIAT Panda fan. This is the closest we'll get to one in the North American (NA) market. Those drivers will love the interior package offered with this model... as it is far more upscale than anything offered in the European Panda. It takes all that is right about the standard 500, mixes it with all that is right about the 500L and adds best in class technology and package options.
I trust this life-focused comparison helps explains exactly how much both these models fill their respective branch in the FIAT 500 family tree. The upcoming 500X isn't a sign FIAT has lost their marbles. With the perfectly executed 500L already present, the upcoming model proves FIAT has lost patience & tolerance for run-of-the-mill 'new' market entries.
FIAT is styling cars to fit your life, as opposed to forcing a lifestyle into your daily commute and weekend errands. Now, there is a truly original idea and we have the Italians to thank for it, in our market. The FIAT 500 Famiglia = Game Changers x3… x5 with the ABARTH and 500e.
FIAT is styling cars to fit your life, as opposed to forcing a lifestyle into your daily commute and weekend errands. Now, there is a truly original idea and we have the Italians to thank for it, in our market. The FIAT 500 Famiglia = Game Changers x3… x5 with the ABARTH and 500e.
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
@
