Fiat in Paris

Clean and green was the key phrase at Fiat’s Paris stand.

To demonstrate the fact, all models on display were painted in white - which Fiat Chief Executive Lorenzo Sistino said marked the 'purity' of the brand...

All, that was, apart from the new '500 by Diesel', which was making its show debut in olive green. Sistino was keen to point out this was not simply another in a long line of special edition 500s.

The two high performance 500s - the Arbath Esseesse and Assetto Corse - made debuts too.

The firm also used the event to launch its eco-brand for the European market, called Purer2. Its aim is to further decrease Fiat's CO2 emissions, even though the Italian maker already boasts the lowest average output of any manufacturer in Europe, at 134g/km! The new scheme should cement the company’s image as an environmental class leader.

Fiats carrying the Purer2 badge will feature fuel saving measures such as low rolling resistance tyres, light engine oil and longer gearing. However a spokeman said it was not expected to replace the 'ECO' moniker in the UK, which is already well established.