Having attended Fiat’s Engine launch last December, for their all new twin cylinder petrol engine, I felt it was time to put the new 500 TwinAir to the test. Would the facts and figures presented on paper stack up in the real world?
Well, sometimes less is more, which is the case in terms of price, at €14,295 the 875cc TwinAir will cost you an extra €1,600 over Fiat’s best-selling 1.2 litre petrol 500. It might have two less cylinders, nonetheless factor in the TwinAir’s 25% power increase and a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions, and the figures start to favour the TwinAir. This clever pocket-sized engine will return a truly impressive 4.1L/100km on a combined cycle. Fuel savings can be further increased thanks to the Start&Stop system fitted as standard. Additional good news, it sits in tax band A resulting in an annual road tax of just €104.
On the move the 500 TwinAir is surprisingly agile, acceleration is swift from a standstill thanks to its minute turbo and the 145Nm of torque which is obtainable from just 1900rpm. Inside the TwinAir, you’re treated to a retro experience with a high gloss body-coloured dash along with a single instrument binnacle. The cabin has a spacious feel to it, aided by the large fixed glass roof, a sunroof is also available.
From launch to the road the 500 TwinAir has impressed me, it’s a sensible city car for those commuting daily in and out of town. Once in town press the ECO button and the engine’s torque is reduced by 45Nm, improving consumption and the steering is automatically lightened which makes for blissful parking. You can also drive safe in the knowledge that this charming little Fiat has achieved a top five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests.
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