Fiat eco:Drive

Italian giant Fiat is famous for its style and value-for-money pricing. More recently, though, it has been building a reputation for environmentally friendly motoring – and the latest proof of this is a stop-start version of the 500 city car.

Called the Stop&Go, the newcomer uses the same Bosch-developed system as its MINI arch rival. It costs £200 more than the 1.2 Lounge, and promises to cut CO2 output by 6g/km to 113g/km.

At the same time, fuel economy is increased by 5.5mpg to 58.9mpg.

From early next year, buyers will be able to get their hands on the new Punto Evo – many variants of which will have stop-start.

The latest generation of JTD diesel engines is also to be available on the Ford Fiesta rival.

As with subsidiary Alfa Romeo, Fiat will offer a new line-up of efficient MultiAir petrol engines, which produce more power and use less fuel than the units they replace.

Easily the company’s biggest contribution to eco-friendly motoring, however, is its ingenious eco:Drive system.

This neat piece of computer software scooped the Special Award in Auto Express’s New Car Awards 2009, and claims to boost any Fiat’s efficiency by up to 15 per cent.

Owners can download info about their driving from the car’s Blue & Me USB socket, and then upload it on to the firm’s website.

A programme analyses the data and offers fuel-saving tips. So far, more than 40,000 owners have signed up, and bosses claim a huge 910,000kg of CO2 has been saved.

BEST ECO BUY: 500 stop&go