autoevolution
 

Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972

FIAT 500 L/Lusso 1968-1972 19 Photos
FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)FIAT 500 L/Lusso (1968-1972)

The 500 was already a massive success on the market, and Fiat didn't know what to do to make more money from it. So, it imagined a luxury version named 500 L (Lusso – Luxury).

In 1968, the Italian carmaker already made the car with front-hinged doors, and it was considered safe again. After introducing the D series and the F (Family) series, the marketing department noticed that many customers asked for more refinement from their 500s. The little Fiat was already a gadget and received a status icon.

It installed a second metallic bumper in front of the regular, wrapped-around, chromed metallic bumper, for starters. The designers used the same round turn-signals from the 500 F and its doors. While the F/Berlina was designed as a middle trim-level, the L was the full-options version.

Inside, there was the same minimalist design concept as on the rest of the range. It featured vinyl (leatherette) seats and padded door panels. The metallic, trapezoidal instrument cluster sported a speedometer and a few warning lights for fuel, charging, and oil pressure. The steering wheel sported two twin-spokes.

Under the hood, the 500 L carried over a de-tuned version of the 500 cc engine from the 500 Sport. Its power was reduced to 18 hp from 21 hp to increase the fuel-efficiency.

FIAT 500 L/Lusso 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972
  1 gasoline engine
  • 0.5L 4MT (18 HP)
brochures (download)
FIAT 500 L/Lusso Brochure (IT)

FIAT 500 L/Lusso
0.5L 4MT (18 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 0.5L 4MT (18 HP)
Cylinders:L2
Displacement:499 cm3
Power:13.3 KW @ 4600 RPM
18 HP @ 4600 RPM
18 BHP @ 4600 RPM
Torque:22 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
30 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:59 mph (95 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:4-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Drums
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:125 - 12
DIMENSIONS
Length:119.1 in (3025 mm)
Width:52 in (1321 mm)
Height:52.2 in (1326 mm)
Front/rear Track:44.1/44.7 in (1,120/1,135 mm)
Wheelbase:72.4 in (1839 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.1 in (130 mm)
Cargo Volume:1.1 cuFT (31 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.5
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:1168 lbs (530 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:1874 lbs (850 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:42.8 mpg US (5.5 L/100Km)
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