The new Fiat 500L Beats Edition makes its debut in Italy this week. This special edition Fiat is based on the rugged 500L Trekking and features the high end BeatsAudio stereo system and unique trim. The new model is going on sale in Italy this week and will be rolled out to the rest of Europe shortly. With luck, we may see something similar here in North America.
Fiat 500L Beats Edition Sophisticated Urban Look
On the outside, the Fiat 500L Beats Edition is characterised by a classy two-tone grey/black paint job in matte or glossy finish and augmented by red and satin chrome trim. Color combinations are grey body/black roof, both with matte paint, or black/grey or grey/black with glossy paint. The trim features satin chrome accents on the mirror fairings, front 'whiskers' and tailgate handle, and matte black painted wheel flares, skirts, bumpers and 17" alloy wheels. Completing the look are red inserts on the mirror fairings and red brake calipers.
Inside, the Fiat 500L Beats Edition uses a distinctive 'Total Black' environment with new eco-leather black trim with red stitching. The matte grey dashboard combined with the Total Black trim and red stitching on the seats and '500' logo on the front backrest makes for an attractive interior.
Signature Beats Sound System
Star of the Fiat 500L Beats Edition is the premium sound system developed by recording artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman and record producer Jimmy Iovine called BeatsAudio. The two audio experts worked together with Fiat Group sound engineers to develop and calibrate the sound system that offers a premium listening experience.
The BeatsAudio system boasts 520 W of total power, divided between two 80 W (Ø 165 mm) mid-woofer speakers placed in the lower part of the front door panel; two 40 W (Ø 38 mm) tweeter speakers placed in the upper part of the front door panel; two 60 W (Ø 165 mm) full-range speakers placed in the rear door panel; and one 80 + 80 W (Ø 165 mm) subwoofer located in the trunk The BeatsAudio system is complete with an amplifier with DSP and 8 channels that integrate an advanced equalisation algorithm, recreating the sound spectrum similar to what an artist experiences during studio recordings.
Engines
The Fiat 500L Beats Edition is available with two gas engines - 120 HP 1.4 T-Jet and 105 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo - and two turbodiesel engines: 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet II and 120 HP 1.6 MultiJet II.
The two cylinder 0.9L TwinAir Turbo produces 105 HP @ 5500 rpm in normal mode and 98 HP @ 5750 in Eco mode. Torque is 145 Nm (107 lb.-ft) @ 2000 rpm in normal mode and 120 Nm (89 lb.-ft) @ 1750 rpm. Fuel economy using the European combined cycle standard is 5.1 l/100 km or 46 mpg.
The 1.6 MultiJet II boasts high torque at low engine speeds making it highly flexible while achieving outstanding fuel economy. Interestingly, both the 120 HP and the 105 HP versions produce the same 320 Nm (236 lb.-ft) of torque at 1750 rpm. The 105 HP engine gets a little better fuel economy - 4.7 l/100 km (50 mpg) compared to 4.8 l/100 km (49 mpg) in the combined cycle. Servicing is every two years or 36,000 km.
The gasoline 1.4L T-Jet engine has a maximum of 120 HP (88 kW) achieved at 5000 rpm, and a maximum of torque of 215 Nm (159 lb.-ft) at 2500 rpm. Fuel economy is rated at 5.7 l/100 km (41 mpg) using the European testing standard. Servicing is every 30,000 Km (18,600 miles). Fiat is the European leader in LPG Natural Gas vehicles, and the LPG version of the 120 HP 1.4L T-Jet achieves 7.2 l/100 km or 33 mpg.
Traction +
The Fiat 500L Beats Edition offers as standard smart front-wheel drive with Traction+ technology which, together with the standard Mud and Snow tires, improves the vehicle's handling on terrain with poor grip. Traction+ works by using the All-Speed Traction Control which reduces engine torque as well as applying the brakes in certain condition. Torque is reduced by closing the throttle valve.
If the wheel slip is severe enough to require throttle intervention, All-Speed Traction Control will reduce engine torque and sometimes even up shift the transmission (automatic trans) to avoid the condition. In milliseconds, All-Speed Traction Control interrogates the engine control system to determine the current torque output, determines how much the torque output the current conditions will allow, and signals this requirement to the engine control system, which reduces the torque by partially closing the throttle. With the execution of the torque reduction, the brake system reduces brake pressure to make the transition smooth, while maintaining forward progress.
Throttle control makes the vehicle less reliant on brake application alone to maintain traction, increasing the operating speed range and more closely modulates speed, resulting in smoother operation. By reducing engine power, braking effectiveness is maintained , and the system can operate throughout the normal vehicle speed range. That is why the system is identified as providing “all-speed” traction control. All Fiat 500 models sold in the United States use this advanced traction control system.
Equipment
The Fiat 500L Beats Edition comes fully equipped with automatic climate control, power rear windows, fog lights, the Traction+ system, 17" alloy wheels, the Mud and Snow tires, the Uconnect system with 5" touchscreen, automatic headlights, rain sensor and privacy windows.
Expect to see more special edition Fiat 500L models showing up in Europe as well as North America. We'll be watching!
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