Not since the Citroen 2CV has a car been sold to the mass market with a two-cylinder engine. That will change next year when Fiat begins selling its hotly anticipated revival of the 500 with a 0.9-liter turbocharged two-cylinder engine that Auto Express reports will produce between 90 and 110 bhp. The tiny two-pot is said to be 20% more economical than an average 1.2-liter city car, which translates to about 60 mpg on the combined cycle. Those power numbers are nothing to sneeze at either, considering the car will effectively be putting out over 100 hp per liter thanks to the turbo. Torque ratings are being pegged at around 88 ft-lbs., which, when combined with the 500's light-as-a-feather weight, should mean the retro city car can squirt along cobblestone streets and dodge pedestrians with the best of them. The 500 will also be available with larger gas engines and at least one diesel for those wary of powering home on only two cylinders. We'll be waiting for reviews of this engine, as the task of refining such a powerplant could not have been easy for Fiat engineers.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chairman @ Nov 15th 2006 8:22PM
Deathtrap, schmeathtrap, I don't care- this car looks like fun. Sadly, it will never come to the US (or anytime soon, if Fiat is indeed on the comeback).
Mike @ Nov 15th 2006 8:29PM
Big HP numbers are easy when you have small engines that rev high - just look at motorcycles.
Unfortunately this thing is larger than a motorcycle and will require some torque (and no, the 88ftlb number doesn't mean a thing until we see a curve).
Anthem @ Nov 15th 2006 8:52PM
I think my nephews' electronic 1:10 scale Hummer has more torque.
RZ @ Nov 15th 2006 9:08PM
It's a shame that the only way we can get such good MPG is by making such small cars. That is why i believe in Hybrids. Same size as a regular car but with much higher MPG.
j-dawg @ Nov 15th 2006 9:33PM
What's a shame is that we Americans can't get used to the idea of a car that small. Gas is cheap for us, but we fail to realize that there's more to it than money. I firmly believe that we will within the next half century or so either run out of oil or come perilously close to doing so. Driving the dinosaurs we do isn't going to help.
That includes me. I drive a V8 sedan with more power than I'd ever need.
John F. @ Nov 15th 2006 9:49PM
US - The land of the free...with the exception of rational and reasonable motoring. NHTSA cut the bull and let Americans decide for themselves what is "safe enough" for us. Give us these small cars and to heck with OPEC!
Tim UF @ Nov 15th 2006 10:28PM
those numbers from that displacement in a car... impressive. (compare the 1.5L in the Yaris @ 108/105).
too bad it will never make it here, unless you live in a town with a large military presence (i see a lot of peugeot's here in Northern Alabama... attribute it to Redstone Arsenal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redstone_Arsenal )
Nucbuddy @ Nov 15th 2006 11:12PM
Big HP numbers are easy when you have Europe's lax smog-emission regulations.
Carl @ Nov 15th 2006 11:40PM
I must agree ,It's a shame the public has to zip around in virtual death traps when the technology to build FULL SIZE automobles that make 4to 5 times better MPG than FULL SIZE MOTORCYCLES.GM is thinking bankruptcy but cant think to dig up an old patent/or prototype Vapor carb to put them back on the TOP of sales markets around the world.
YES they DO WORK, any person that could understand the principles they operate on would Know they work,but it's TOO LATE!!!think about all those people making a Living off pumping,refining,producing,selling,USING 10 Times MORE than you really have to...NO I'm not selling anything nor will I build one for you or anybody! I'm not brainwashed or braindead yet just too damn old and lazy to build it for myself besides I,m fairly satisfied with 35/43mpg on my "2003 import".
GM ya want me to buy american make it out of AMERICAN STEEL not PLASTIC and bring up mpg to at least 35/40 mpg and NOT on a microsized Hybrid.
Andy @ Nov 16th 2006 12:14AM
"Big HP numbers are easy when you have Europe's lax smog-emission regulations."
Nucbuddy is spot-on. The EU emissions standards are much less than those in the US--a key reason why most diesel vehicles and special trim lines don't come to the States. (That and higher crash impact NHTSA standards.) I really do wish the US Transportation Dept. and Congress create an avenue to permit more micro-cars and diesel-powered vehicles to hit these shores.
chewy @ Nov 16th 2006 1:00AM
RZ
Ever heard of diesels.
peter thompson @ Nov 16th 2006 3:14AM
What a waste needing 2 tonne of metal to move around . Small is the future.Might leave a little bit of oil for our grand kids.
BOB @ Nov 16th 2006 3:23AM
B_E_L_L_I_N_A !!!!!!! (Adorable) -- like the version from the 60's, much more than today's Mini is like the original, but new. Since they made zillions, and there are still plenty of older living Italians, the stuff about "death trap" is out of it, but not as out of it as the comments that think a 3500 lb car can get this mileage (on a flat road)
Gil @ Nov 16th 2006 3:23AM
"That and higher crash impact NHTSA standards."
bwahahaha
The crash standards in the US are laughable compared to EURONCAP.
zoldfulu @ Nov 16th 2006 3:27AM
Don't worry Chariman. At least U'll get the Alfas. Theyre sheer driving pleasure (at far as an FWD can) and a treat fr the eye too. I can hardly wait to replace my Volvo for an 159 and return to Alfa.
andrea @ Nov 16th 2006 4:52AM
what do you mean with: "Not since the Citroen 2CV has a car been sold to the mass market with a two-cylinder engine"???
the first Fiat 500 (1957-1972) was fitted with a 2 cylinders engine (w/o turbo), and the same for the its heir, the Fiat 126.
here (http://nuova500.free.fr/Motore.html) you will find tons of tech infos, the page it's in italian but it contains very explicative drawings.
R&D $$$ from where? @ Nov 16th 2006 7:02AM
WOW! All those million$ that GM forked over being put into good stuff. Thank you GM, GOOD JOB FIAT!
Jason @ Nov 16th 2006 7:46AM
Cars like this may not be a deathtrap for some. But im 6'5" and 300lbs and i have a hard time sitting in much other than your 2 ton wastes, i drive a 1993 vortec gmc jimmy, gets 15mpg, comfy as all hell. Ill take actually being comfortable and being able to get in and out, see stoplights, and not feel claustrophobic over a few more mpg like id get in most other american cars.
Jason @ Nov 16th 2006 7:46AM
Hybrids are a conspiracy, anyone from europe should laugh at the thought of a hybrid when diesels provide equal economy with less technology, Autoblog did a piece on fuel efficient cars america will not import. 60+mpg from the audi a2 1.2 tdi, but people will shell out at extra 5 grand to make their accord v6 hybrid get 25. forget that. Also in 6 years when all those batteries in the hybrids start ending up in junkyards and landfills, theyre gonna cause quite a problem disposing of. Good for the environment my ass. HYBRIDS ARE BOGUS. INFORM YOURSELF
Richard Warren @ Nov 16th 2006 8:00AM
These should great little cars, drove the original in Italy years ago. Fun!
I like this more then the Smart, nice freshen of a retro.
Everyone been to the Fiat site to build one? That's fun too.http://www.fiat500.com/eng/home.asp#?p=cl