Thumper
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It was in one of Fiats own press releases/interviews about it being cheaper to make.
General 500 TwinAir UK Pricing Announced
- Thread starter Scrogg
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General 500 TwinAir UK Pricing Announced
It was in one of Fiats own press releases/interviews about it being cheaper to make.
Maybe not, but a lot of people do, and when an APR rate is as low as 2.4% for example, that is a big incentive.
crazy pricing.
there was a time when it was either the Mini or the 500.
Now there are plenty of other small premium cars to choose from between the Mito, Fiesta, Polo, A1 and DS3.
All are more refined than the 500. I expected FIAT to do more about noise insulation on the 500 than they did. I had certain expectations of the Panda as it was engineered down to a price point and I love it for it's utilitarian qualities but feeling similiar (if not worse due to fancier wheels) NVH on the 500 left me cold.
there was a time when it was either the Mini or the 500.
Now there are plenty of other small premium cars to choose from between the Mito, Fiesta, Polo, A1 and DS3.
All are more refined than the 500. I expected FIAT to do more about noise insulation on the 500 than they did. I had certain expectations of the Panda as it was engineered down to a price point and I love it for it's utilitarian qualities but feeling similiar (if not worse due to fancier wheels) NVH on the 500 left me cold.
EsseEsse
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Mini has a crashy ride as well, and a number of other annoying traits (wife used to own one)
FireballXL5man
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I'm going to stick my neck out here. The 1.2 8v engine may be long in the tooth and relatively simple, but it is (in my opinion) exceptionally smooth. I've looked at Youtube videos of the new TwinAir two cylinder engine and it sounds more harsh. I have a feeling that despite all the extra balancing shafts, or whatever, this new engine could be less refined and a disappointment. If this does prove to be the case, then charging an extra £1,200 (which seemed inevitable) could lead to some negative publicity for Fiat. However, the fantastic fuel economy might save the day. Maybe they'll carry on producing the 1.2 8v 500 for some time yet, just in case the sales of the new TwinAir 500 don't live up to expectations. We'll see.
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Just done a quick calculation ( which could be wrong! ) With fuel at £5.23 a gallon and a 1.2 averaging 50mpg, the TwinAir 69mpg, the break even point is not reached until 41,000 miles adding the £1200 premium on for the TwinAir.
Don't forget that the twin air probably will be worth more (maybe £600)come trade in time.
EsseEsse
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Is that price list right? It says the OTR is £494.25, but that's the same as the 1.3 diesel, are they both £0 VED first year?
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The extra power may of course be worth the premium.
OP
OP
Yep, both £0 for the first year.
After that (at current rates) MultiJet is £20 whereas TwinAir continues to be £0.
really the 65bhp twin is the replacement for the 1242cc engine but the 1242cc engined 500 is too expensive too.
Only thing that helps the 65bhp engine over and above the better MPG and lower tax in the long term economy stakes is that there is no cambelt to replace and there shouldn't be a need to adjust anything on the top end at 30 to 40K miles.
Only thing that helps the 65bhp engine over and above the better MPG and lower tax in the long term economy stakes is that there is no cambelt to replace and there shouldn't be a need to adjust anything on the top end at 30 to 40K miles.
The 1.2 with stop start is 58mpg, so those figures are wrong. With 58mpg, it would take 83,000 miles to break even. However servicing is likely to be cheaper (it depends on the service intervals really) and you'll also get more performance for the money. So for 3 years @ 10,000miles/year you'll save £430 on fuel, and it will have cost you £770 for the additional performance, and you'll have higher resale values.
A agree with other people though, the 1.2 is a really nice engine and it sounds great. I'm a bit unsure about the TwinAir at the moment, I'll need to drive one to decide whether I like it. I think it needs to replace all of their engines really or it won't be worth the cost of developing it.
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I never saw better than 50mpg from mine, but I suppose it depends on driving style. As for the higher resale value, time will tell, and questions remain - will it be 100% reliable, will the public get their heads round driving a two cylinder car.
Mito - Nice car but seems to have got a lukewarm reception from the media
Fiesta - Ugly car, with a fugly dashboard, inexplicably has had a good reception from the media....
Polo - Meh
A1 - Fugly but it's an Audi so people will like it even though it's ugly and not as good as the price would suggest
DS3 - Good car.
Would you ever see more than 60mpg from the 875cc engine? We can only use the published figures at the moment, so we need to compare it to the published figures of the 1.2. Modern cars don't seem to get anywhere near their published figures, and I doubt that the new engine will be any different.
Yes, reliability etc. is a concern of mine, and it's a lot of money to gamble with. I don't see any problems with it being a two cylinder though, most people would be happy with two cylinders if they knew that it made it more efficient.
OP
OP
Everyone does.
Debating facts and figures is all well and good, but until any of us have actually driven the new engine none of us can state whether it is better/worse than the current offerings.
With power outputs ranging from 65 - 105 BHP from the same engine, I see no reason why it ultimately won't.
The current 1.2 and 1.4 16v, whilst tried and tested (and loved by FIAT enthusiasts) are old technology now, even with Start&Stop, so it is inevitable that they will be allowed to die now that a modern, efficient (in all aspects) replacement has been found.
I wonder how long it will be before Ford, Vauxhall, the French and the Japanese are releasing 2-cylinder versions of their City and Small cars?
EsseEsse
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Order book opens tomorrow according to local dealer in any case!
OP
OP
As for mpg in relation to official figures (67.3) i always got nr to 64mpg out of my 1.3 mjet 75bhp so not to bad
and yes thanks Scrogg did say the 15th launch date
and yes thanks Scrogg did say the 15th launch dateEsseEsse
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oops sorry, missed that!
Page 1 was so long ago, Page 4 is where its at now :slayer:
Page 1 was so long ago, Page 4 is where its at now :slayer:
