The Italian press called it “Ellezero” from L-zero, the project designation and photographers spent months trying to get an undisguised shot while artists produced their concepts of what Fiat’s new Mini-Fighter would look like.

Today, Fiat took the wraps off Ellezero, the new five-door, five-passenger 500L. The “L” is for “Large” because the new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is not only bigger than its sedan sibling, it isn’t really a Cinquecento: it shares a platform with the new Punto. While Fiat stylists used a lot of the 500′s design language, they also incorporated some cues from the popular Fiat Panda to create the squared-off back.

According to the folks in Turin, the 500L combines the feel of a small SUV with the size and efficiency of a B-segment car, creating an alternative to the traditional B and C segment offerings.

The 500L will make its official debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month and will go on sales in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year. It will join the 500 and 500 Abarth at U.S. dealerships in 2013.

All 500Ls will be built at Fiat’s plant in Kragujevac, Serbia. The European version will be offered their choice of Fiat’s TwinAir or 1.4-liter gasoline engines or the 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel. 500Ls destined for the U.S. will have a different engine.

U.S. pricing will be announced later.