Fiat 500 and the L word...

Fiat have launched yet another variant of the ever-popular Fiat 500 at the glitzy Geneva motor show. Fiat believe that the ‘extended’ 500L adds a new dimension to the popular small car and will increase the audience range by becoming more of a family car.

The Fiat 500 is widely acknowledged as the main rival to challenge Mini and some industry spectators see the 500L as an alternative to the new Mini Countryman SUV.

You could argue, as some seem to be doing, that in an extended form the 500L compromises the pleasing lines and visual appeal of the 500 but I don't think it does. Surprisingly I actually think this works rather well!

Incase you were wondering, the L stands for 'large' and follows the Abarth, Cabrio and Gucci versions into the 500 range.

The glass roof is a particularly nice touch and I look forward to a test drive at my local Fiat dealer when the 500 L launches in the UK this year.

Guest Post:: Cool Mum Car

As a soon-to-be first time mum, I put off the task of shopping for a new car for as long as I could! The thought of trading in my stylish little convertible for a more practical family car was not appealing to me! Now the summer is coming to an end and the baby bump is a constant reminder that my two-seater convertible just won't do anymore, I need to set about the serious business of family car shopping!

Living on the outskirts of London, I've always found that small cars are best. I love the convenience of being able to park them in tight city spaces and can't face the idea of manouevering a large people carrier into an average London parking space. After shopping for baby bits and bobs in Selfridges the other day I came across a Fiat dealer in central London. I didn't actually realise there were any Fiat dealers in the city but decided to bite the bullet and start car shopping.

I was actually pleasantly surprised. Along with family practicality, my two key requirements were style and small. I found the Fiat 500 and really loved it! As a small car, I didn't think that it would be big enough but actually there was plenty of room for a child seat inside and a buggy in the boot. It comes in loads of cool colours and is even available as a limited edition Fiat 500 Gucci model - definitely a cool mum car!

The best thing though is that I don't have to give up driving a convertible. The Fiat 500C has a retractable roof so me and baby will be able to enjoy the summer breezes too! Morale of the story: there is such a thing as a cool mum car, thank goodness! (Just to clarify: this is a guest post from my friend Charlotte; I am not expecting a baby but am very pleased for her. To clarify further, she will most definitely be a cool mum!)

New Fiat 500

A good friend of mine recently purchased a new Fiat 500 and I must say, I was very impressed! I had always thought that a 500 would be too small and would lack power but it turns out that neither of those things are true! As well as having plenty of space to seat 2 adults in the back, the new Fiat 500 also has a fair bit of power behind it too and was nippy up hills and along the motorway.

Better still, the new Fiat 500 is available in a huge range of colours both inside and out and special editions include the new Fiat 500 by Gucci (pictured above). Loving that this combines the Italian style of two iconic brands - stylish and fun!