Car Reviews > Fiat > 500 > Fiat 500 TwinAir - Range Car Review

Cleanest Car on the Road

With the launch of the new TwinAir 500 Fiat is laying down the hammer as the leader in fuel efficient low emission vehicles. The TwinAir engine emits a minuscule 95g/km of CO2 while the fuel economy comes in at an estimated 69mpg. Fiat is claiming that this engine is the cleanest petrol powered engine on the planet.

The TwinAir is a 1.3-litre petrol powered super eco-friendly engine that still delivers a decent 85bhp. Over the last decade or so many car companies pat themselves on the back when they achieve even the smallest of fuel savings. Most manufacturers have focused their eco-friendly eyes on hybrids and battery power. Fiat, on the other hand, has realized that big gains in emissions can often come from making a better petrol engine.

When it comes to the science of how petrol powered engine can achieve higher emission standards and better fuel economy most people over the years have focused on how fuel is used within the engine. Fiat contends that more attention should be paid to how air gets into the engine. The 875cc/85bhp 1.3-litre TwinAir used the same technology that Fiat pioneered with their MulitAir engines. They replaced the camshafts of a four-valves-per-cylinder engine with electro-hydraulic control of the inlet valves. The technology allows the engine to breathe more efficiently.

People who are smart enough to buy the 500 with the TwinAir will be pleased with how the car drives in the city. The 500 gets from 0-60mph in a little under 11 seconds and topping the speed chart at 107mph.

Fiat is offering the 500 TwinAir with two driving modes - Standard or Eco. The Eco choice restricts the torque from the normal 145Nm to 100Nm while also lightening up the steering that helps make lower speed steering a little easier. Even a non-trained ear will notice that the TwinAir gets a little louder when pushed to over 2,500rpm which is just the just the TwinAir system doing its thing.

Inside the car there is a nice mix of retro cool and extremely modern design, with round head rests, a glass roof and the iconic 500 brand on the dashboard, which was originally designed for the Panda. The vents are chrome ringed and in a tip of the hat to the original the fascia can be ordered to match the exterior color to mimic the painted metal found in the ?Nuova 500? which it the name of original 500 back when it was launched in 1957.

There are two back seats, but normal they are really more for show than actual use by any adult of normal size. The boot isn't much to brag about, but considering that the 500 is usually bought as a second car it really isn't much of a turn off. The boot will provide plenty of room for a few days worth of groceries or a sport bag.

The TwinAir is offered with all the trim levels the 500 has to offer. Drivers can pick and choose from a wide range of colors and cost upgrades. Some of these upgrades include the Dualogic robitised manual gearbox which allows for clutchless gear changes. The Dualogic system also comes with the Stop/Start technology.

The best news is that often when you chose a car for the cost efficiency you often end up sacrificing the fun aspects of the car. With the 500 TwinAir you get all the economy without losing all the comfort and feel.

by Autoweb