What's the news?

Fiat has opened order books for its latest and most highly specified 500L to date - the Trekking. As well as extra equipment, the 500L Trekking features Traction+, which is designed to keep the car moving when the going gets tricky.

Exterior

Based on the standard 500L, the Trekking gains a higher ride height, new front and rear bumpers with skid plates, door mouldings and front fog lamps as standard. The 17-inch alloy wheels are shod in Mud and Snow tyres in order to keep traction levels as high as possible. A total of 17 colour options can be had, including an individually specified black or white roof.

Interior

The Trekking's cabin features 'eco-friendly' leather on the seats and can be ordered with either a brown/grey or black/white colour scheme. Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, auto lights and wipers and Bluetooth connectivity.

Mechanicals

The engine line-up for the 500L Trekking comprises of two petrol and two diesel units; including the 105hp 0.9-litre TwinAir powerplant. All models come with stop-start as standard, as well as Traction+.

The 500L Trekking is also the first Fiat model to come equipped with City Brake Control as standard; using sensors around the car to detect potential hazards when travelling at speeds between 3- and 19mph. It will then brake the car and reduce engine torque to either avoid a collision or to minimise the effects of the impact.

Anything else?

The 500L Trekking is priced from £17,095, which is £700 more than the Lounge model on which it is based. First deliveries are expected to take place by late summer.

James Giddings - 26 Jun 2013