Fiat 500L
If a little is good, then more
must be better — at least
that’s the thinking behind Fi-
at’s ve-door, ve-passenger
500L. Borrowing from the
smaller 500’s exterior design
cues, the 500L was built on
the company’s new “small-
wide” vehicle architecture for
a length increase of 27 inches, and a height/
width increase of 6 inches. The changes result
in a whopping 42 percent extra space over its
sibling, delivering an EPA Large Car interior
with increased comfort and versatility. In fact,
Fiat claims best-in-class front headroom, shoul-
der room, and rear cargo space (with rear seats
up). With side glass from the A to D pillars, the
500L promises nearly 360 degrees of panoram-
ic views — and with the elevated second row
seats and an available dual-glass panel sunroof,
passengers are aorded even more opportuni-
ties to admire the passing scenery.
The 500L is powered by a 1.4 liter
MultiAir Turbo four-cylinder engine with 160
horsepower, and is oered with a six-speed
manual or Euro Twin Clutch transmission,
although only the manual model is approved
for dinghy towing. The 500L model is avail-
able in four trim levels: Pop, Easy, Trekking
and Lounge, each with its own distinct styling
theme.
Jeep Cherokee
Small SUVs are popular with the mainstream,
but enthusiasts tend to disregard them as
“soft roaders,” not capable of true o-road
duty. Jeep hopes to change that perception
with its all-new Jeep Cherokee. For openers,
it’s available with three 4WD systems, although
only those with a neutral position in the trans-
fer case are cleared for dinghy towing. A new
Jeep Selec-Terrain traction control system
oers up to ve customized modes, includ-
ing Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and Rock.
And, when equipped with the new 3.2-liter
Pentastar V-6, it has a best in class tow rating
of 4,500 pounds. It’s also the rst SUV with a
nine-speed automatic transmission (the only
one oered with the V-6 or 2.4-liter Tigershark
four-cylinder). Up to 31 mpg is promised, due
in part to an industry-rst rear axle disconnect
that results in reduced energy loss when 4x4
capability isn’t needed.
Of course, most of the time SUVs are
driven on paved roads, so the Cherokee was
built on FIAT Group architecture that features
increased torsional stiness and independent
suspension front and rear for better ride and
handling. Oered in Sport, Limited, Latitude
and Trailhawk trim levels, Cherokee’s interior
was designed to raise the bar in the small SUV
segment with sophisticated design and high-
quality materials.
Fiat 500L
Jeep Cherokee
Information provided
courtesy of
Motorhome Magazine
www.motorhome.com 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING
|
2
