In September 1968, Fiat launched the 500 L or Lusso (tipo 110 F/L), a more lavishly trimmed and better equipped version of the standard 500 F. The 500 L continued to be offered until 1972, when the new Fiat 126 was introduced. + Perhaps the most obvious new feature of the 500 L were tubular guards that protected the front bumper and the corners of the rear bumper. This made the car, at 3.025 mm (119 in), some 6 cm (2,4 in) longer than the 500 F. Other model-specific exterior items included a new Fiat badging at the front, redesigned wheel covers, chrome plastic mouldings covering the roof drip rails, and bright mouldings around the windscreen and rear window. Inside, the dashboard was covered entirely in black anti-reflective plastic material rather than bare painted metal, and was fitted with a new trapezoid instrument binnacle replacing the circular one used on all other 500 models. The steering wheel was black plastic with metal spokes. The door panels – covered in the same pleated-pattern leatherette used on the seats – bore redesigned and relocated door handles and new door pockets. More storage space was provided in the form of a tray on the centre tunnel, which, like the rest of the floor, was covered in carpet rather than rubber mats. With the exception of radial rather than bias-ply tyres, the 500 L was mechanically identical to the equally old 500 F.