Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Fiat 500 TwinAir

Characterful two-cylinder engine breathes new life into Fiat's retro city slicker. We drove it for the first time on UK roads to see how the little Italian stacks up.

Fiat 500 TwinAir front

Text: James Disdale / Photos: Pete Gibson

October 2010

It’s a case of back to the future for the latest version of the 500. The funky Fiat’s retro lines are a clear nod to the Fifties’ original, and now, bosses are looking to the past with an all-new engine for the stylish city car.

As with its legendary ancestor, the 500 is now available with a tiny two-cylinder unit. Promising 95g/km emissions and 68.9mpg economy, the TwinAir is claimed to be the most eco-friendly petrol engine on the planet – and Auto Express was first to try it in the UK.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Fiat 500

 

Unlike the wheezy 13bhp original, the newcomer doesn’t deliver penny-pinching efficiency at the expense of performance. Thanks to the addition of a turbo and MultiAir variable valve timing, the 875cc unit offers a remarkable 85bhp.

Fire up the powerplant, and you’re left in no doubt about its two-cylinder layout, as it settles to a distinctive offbeat idle. On the move, the characterful sound is more like that of a motorbike than a car. Yet the engine always feels smooth, even when it’s extended to the red line.

However, the real surprise is the strong performance. A muscular 145Nm of torque is delivered at only 1,900rpm, giving punchy low-speed responses and strong overtaking pace. The 500 even feels comfortable on motorways, where keeping up with fast-moving traffic is no strain.

An Eco mode reins in the torque to 100Nm in a bid to cut the amount of fuel the TwinAir uses, and the standard gearshift indicator and stop-start system further boost efficiency. Go for the £730 optional Duologic semi-automatic transmission, and CO2 emissions drop to 92g/km, while economy increases to 70.6mpg.

Elsewhere, the car is the same as any other 500 – and that’s no bad thing. The cheeky looks still turn heads, and we love the neatly designed and well built cabin. It can’t match the MINI for driving fun, but the Fiat is agile and the five-speed manual gearbox serves up slick shifts.

Prices for the TwinAir start at £10,665 in entry-level Pop hatch guise, and rise to £16,065 for the top-spec 500C byDiesel cabrio. The two-cylinder line-up will expand next year to include a 65bhp normally aspirated car and a hot 105bhp model.

Rival: Toyota iQ
Clever packaging makes the extremely compact iQ one of the smallest four-seaters on the road – although rear space is very cramped, especially behind the driver. Strong refinement and excellent build quality are plus points, but the 1.0-litre engine is outperformed by Fiat’s 875cc unit.

For an alternative review of the latest Fiat 500 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

7 Comments

85 BHP?

Has anyone looked at the power available from a modern motorcycle engine of this capacity?it is approx double this! yet you acclaim it at 85. Sounds like a step in the right direction though, keep up the good work so far Fiat.

By astonish1 on 4 November, 2010, 9:16am

85 BHP?

Astonish1, that's not a valid comparison, as most motorcycle engines just need bhp at the top end. Cars are heavier so need torque, preferably at low revs.

By anchovie1 on 4 November, 2010, 9:27am

85 BHP?

Of course you a right, but we are talking of double the BHP here not just a modest increase, so you have to use more revs if you want it to really go. I've no quibble with that, after all there are quite a few specials around with blistering performance from small capacity engines.

By astonish1 on 4 November, 2010, 9:59am

Vintage

The name - Fiat 500 TwinAir - suggests an air cooled engine, but is it? Can't see any reference in your review to that aspect of the engine design. Makes a big difference noisewise. What's the answer?

By akaRazz on 4 November, 2010, 10:25am

Vintage Air?

No its not air cooled. It has water. The "Air" reference is to the MultiAir valve operation.

By ukmike2000 on 4 November, 2010, 12:08pm

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====


Wonderful. Share a website with you , ( http://www.clothes6.us ) Believe you will love it. Accept paypal or credit card and free shipping.You can try Oh, give you satisfaction guarantee.

===== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

Air jordan(1-24)shoes

Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g)

Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste)

Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi)

Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i)

New era cap

Bikini (Ed hardy,polo)

accept paypal and or credit card free shipping

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====


====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

====== http://www.clothes6.us/ ====

By klfdgdfjklgq on 10 November, 2010, 3:30am

Expensive fun, or just expensive

£16.000 Grand, it's unbelievable that anybody would even consider paying that for an economic roller skate, while the £10.000 starting price would buy you a proper car that is almost as good as the Fiat on fuel consumption, with space for luggage and some comfort for passengers.
Fiat must be laughing and will be quids in if anybody buys it, as the car will probably sell for about £5.000 in Italy.
Well it will be a nice trendy niche car, for folk with more brass than brain.

By Bobbybev on 10 November, 2010, 7:51pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More FIAT 500 TWINAIR articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Fiat 500 TwinAir rear
Fiat 500 TwinAir Eco
Fiat 500 TwinAir Engine

Sponsored Results

Find New Cars

Find your new Fiat 500 with our new car search:

Find New Cars
Find Used Cars

Find your Fiat 500 with our used car search.

Find Used Cars

FIRST OPINION

    This is the engine for which the Fiat 500 has been crying out. The characterful two-cylinder delivers a remarkable mix of diesel-rivalling efficiency and strong straight-line pace. Adding to its appeal is a characterful soundtrack, as well as an eagerness that suits the trendy city car right down to the ground. Better still, the TwinAir demonstrates that, from an environmental point of view, there’s still plenty of life left in the traditional internal combustion engine.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £10,665
    Engine: 875cc 2cyl turbo
    Power/torque: 85bhp/145Nm
    Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 11.0 seconds
    CO2: 95g/km
    Economy: 68.9mpg
    Equipment: Stop-start system, electric windows, remote central locking, gearshift indicator, seven airbags, six-speaker CD stereo
    On sale: Now
     
    - Advertisement -