- Fiat reveals TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder engine for the Fiat 500.
- New engine will be available in the 500 and 500C in September.
- The 0.9-liter engine makes 85 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque.
TURIN, Italy — The Fiat 500 has been a rousing success in the three years since its introduction, and now it will be available with a new Twin-Air turbocharged two-cylinder engine that will dramatically cut fuel usage and emissions. It uses Fiat's electrohydraulic MultiAir valve technology, and it will be available everywhere on the 500 and 500C in September.
The 0.9-liter engine makes 85 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. Equipped with the two-cylinder, the Fiat 500 can go from zero to 60 mph in less than 11 seconds and on to a top speed of 108 mph, while getting about 57 mpg. Fiat says it offers the same performance as a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine but consumes 30 percent less fuel. Using the ECO selector in the Fiat 500 TwinAir will cut torque to 73 lb-ft to reduce fuel usage and emissions even more, Fiat says.
This is the first of Fiat Powertrain Technologies' new lineup of two-cylinders. Fiat plans to offer Twin-Air two-cylinders in other models — the Panda is believed to be next to get the engine — with a range of power from 65-105 hp, as well as in a gasoline-electric hybrid version.
Fiat's new engine Web site calls it "the most eco-friendly [gasoline] engine in the world."
Inside Line says: Like electronics, city cars and their engines just keep getting smaller and more efficient. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
bernithebest says:
07:23 AM, 08/16/2011
This is the coolest development since the introduction of the injection pump 80 years ago (or so ...)
toofast11 says:
06:39 PM, 07/31/2011
i dont think that this car has a lot of potential unless some seois hp and suspension upgrades r brought in
tdiluv says:
02:24 PM, 07/09/2010
Is this FIAT as safe as the "SMART" for the American highways ?
In the Smart crash test video the car bounced around like a jelly bean but they reported that the dummy was ok!
canabacon says:
11:56 AM, 07/09/2010
Fiat make world cars well, and tis is a great commuter. This is great for families actually. You have a large car for the family, and then this car for going back and forth to work and picking up groceries on the way home and you won't pay the astronomical prices of the smart car in the front end or the back end servicing. And a 2 cylander? It has to be getting in the 40's or 50's MPG.
juan_mx says:
08:27 AM, 07/09/2010
I could not find the info on what kind of gas requires this engine,
but I am almost sure it requires at least the equivalent of 91 octane (that is, regular gas in Europe)
wrinklebump says:
10:33 PM, 07/08/2010
This will not sell particularly well in the US, but I think the two-pot is an important development. If two jars can bang out 100 hp with a turbo, I look forward to seeing how much more powerful and efficient future 4-bangers will be.
mrh1965 says:
09:29 PM, 07/08/2010
Wow, I didn't think any major automaker would be releasing a two-cylinder engine anytime soon. Interesting.
bearsdkillz says:
07:18 PM, 07/08/2010
2 cylinder? That will not pass here in the US.
If Fiat does bring this car here, even with 4 cylinder turbo or w/e I don't think it will do that well. The small car thing is cute, but its not gonna make or break an automaker.
calspecial68 says:
05:51 PM, 07/08/2010
I love this car because it looks chic, and its like the smart fortwo you always wanted the smart to be.....an actual car that can seat around 4 people and actually get decent fuel mileage. And now it's even more efficient. I agree with jscion, we really could use these here, what with the uncertain future fuel prices and all.
jscion says:
04:05 PM, 07/08/2010
So does "everywhere" mean that we will see this technology in the upcoming American bound Fiat 500??? I mean jeez, gas prices are up and down here....we need this car Fiat!!! We need this car!!!!