What's the news?

Fiat has released the first set of images for the sixth member of the 500 family, the 500L MPW. Essentially a stretched version of the 500L, the MPW will be officially revealed on the sixth anniversary of the 500 (also the first anniversary of the 500L) next month with deliveries to commence soon afterwards.

Exterior

According to Fiat the 500L MPW is the most compact seven-seater on the market, coming in some 170mm shorter than the Ford Grand C-Max at 4,350mm. Despite the extra sheet metal the MPW retains the characteristic looks of the 500 with round headlights up front, black pillars leading to a 'floating' roof look and a multitude of combination options meaning no two cars are likely to be the same. In total there are 19 different body colours (including 11 two-tone combinations) and six interior trims, along with 15 different types of alloy wheels or hub caps.

Interior

The extra length of the MPW over the standard 500L does two things; it allows Fiat to fit a third row of seats, making a seven-seat people carrier, while also allowing for an impressive 638-litre load area with these seats folded (or in the standard five-seat version). Fiat is calling the seat arrangement a 5+2, signifying that the rearmost seats are a kid-only space.

The MPW range includes the same Pop Star and Lounge trim levels as the 500L, which, between them, feature six different interior trim treatments. Fiat also says that the MPW will offer equipment levels worthy of a higher segment, as demonstrated by the new leather interior options, integrated navigation system and rear camera to assist with reversing manoeuvres.

Mechanicals

At launch, the Fiat 500L MPW will be available with two petrol engines - 95hp 1.4 16v and 105hp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo - as well as two turbodiesels: 105hp 1.6 MultiJet II and 85hp 1.3 MultiJet II, the latter also with automatic transmission.

Anything else?

MPW stands for Multi-Purpose Wagon and in Europe it is known as the 500L Living. Yeah we're not quite sure on the reason for the name change or why Fiat moved away from the 500XL tag that was mooted. The MPW joins the 500, 500C, 500 Abarth, 500L and 500L Trekking and will in time be joined by the 500X compact SUV.

Paul Healy - 20 Jun 2013