eRacing Magazine Vol 1. Issue 10 | Page 115

up and through the mountains but it would have benefited immensely from a small turbo. Even loaded with people and luggage with the air conditioning on, it didn’t struggle, however I would have preferred a little more mustard when trying to overtake. The brakes were actually quite good. Even with a full load, the FIAT did a commendable job of halting from was almost always high speeds. Despite its status as a heffalump, I was pleasantly surprised at its fuel consumption. I averaged roughly 5L\100kms which is quite an achievement considering my rather heavy right

hoof.

One feature I found to be an incredible nuisance was the auto shutoff. In an effort to save fuel and perhaps reduce its carbon foot-print, this feature shuts off the engine while sitting idle. It then automatically starts the car as the driver engages the clutch. I respect what FIAT is trying to do but I simply could not get used to the delay. I lasted five whole days before looking for the button which disabled this annoyance.

Conclusion

As much as I like the FIAT 500, I simply did not like the 500L. I must say, it served me well from a practicality standpoint. The visibility was great; I thought it had plenty of space for a family of five including endless storage compartments. I cannot complain about the smooth ride or the comfortable seats. Even on the hottest and most humid days the climate control

kept us cool and comfortable.The interior is generally a pleasant place to be. However, I found it under powered, too big and too clumsy. It was simply an uninspired drive. For people looking for options over a minivan, I might lean towards an estate\station wagon with a lower centre of gravity and better handling characteristics. I’m not certain exactly which market the FIAT 500 L Living is aimed at. I’m certain however; it isn’t

aimed at the market I’m in, and yet I’ll

always have a soft spot for it… Fly

spattered windshield, covered in

salty Mediterranean sand and all.

Dimensions

Kerb Weight1365kg

Wheelbase2612mm (102.8 in)

Length4352mm (171.3 in)

Width1784mm (70.1 in)

Height1667mm (65.4 in)