Fiat 500 gets more efficient with new TwinAir two-cylinder turbo engine

The new 0.9-litre two-cylinder petrol turbo engine contains several innovative technologies, such as a small-sized turbine, start and stop and Fiat's MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions by controlling air directly via the inlet valves, without using the throttle. Fiat says that compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new TwinAir engine is significantly shorter and lighter, while returning 30% lower fuel consumption.

The new engine will be available for the 500 and 500C convertible models, starting from September, and will come in various states of tune, producing between 65 and 105bhp. There will also be a hybrid version that pairs the two-cylinder engine with an electric motor.

The engine fitted to the 500 and 500C will produce 85bhp and 145Nm of torque, and Fiat says that compared to the 1.2-litre 8-valve engine, the new unit has 23% more power and a 30% better performance. Mated to a manual transmission, the turbocharged engine allows the 500 to go from 0-100km/h in 11 seconds, and reach a top speed of 173km/h.

The Fiat 500 TwinAir also comes with the option of Fiat's Dualogic robotized gearbox, and standard features include an ECO button positioned on the dashboard allowing the driver to select from two modes, Normal and ECO. In the first mode, the engine delivers the maximum available torque while steering assistance is set on normal. In ECO mode, the emphasis is on "eco-friendly" driving as torque is cut off to 100Nm to minimize consumption and promote a driving style more suitable for city traffic while the steering wheel is lighter. Fiat says that the TwinAir engine will be made available for its other models in the range, like the Panda and Punto Evo.