As promised, Fiat is expanding both the range and the 500L itself with a longer, seven seater version of its small minivan dubbed the 500L Living, which will soon go on sale in Europe, but will not be offered in North America where it sells only the shorter 500L.

To squeeze in a third row of seats, which as you have probably already guessed, are big enough for children or adults who you despise (hence Fiat’s description of the seating as 5+2), the Italians increased the length of the Living by 210mm (8.2 inches) for a total of 4,350mm (171.3 inches) and the height by 10mm to 1,670mm (65.7 inches), while the width remains unchanged at 1,780mm (70 inches).

Fiat didn’t say how much space is left for baggage with the last row of seats used (from the pictures, we’re guessing not that much, if any), but when folded down, the 500L Living has an impressive luggage volume of 638 liters (22 cubic feet), or 238 liters more than the five-seater 500L.

Besides the even more awkward appearance of the Living, nothing else has changed over the 500L with available engine options including two petrols, a 94hp (95PS) 1.4-liter and a 104hp (105PS) 0.9-liter TwinAir Turbo, and a pair of diesels, a 104hp (105PS) 1.6-liter unit and the 84hp (85PS) 1.3-liter MultiJet II, the latter also with an automatic transmission.

Fiat said it will offer the car in Europe in two trim levels (Pop Star and Lounge), both with 5 or 7 seats, 19 body colors (including 11 two-tone combinations) and 6 interior trims, plus 15 different styles of alloy wheels and hub caps (yes, some brands still make them…).

The 500L Living will be manufactured alongside the 500L in Fiat’s new Serbian factory at Kragujevac, with first orders to open in Italy next month, followed by more European countries later in the year.

PHOTO GALLERY

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