Finally; the twin cylinder motor will arrive in the 500 this summer.

Launched at Geneva it will arrive with 85hp and below 100g/km CO2 emissions.

Al long last...

http://www.italiaspeed.com/

I actually really want to try one of these, just to see what a 2 cylinder is like, and whether it's painfully slow or surprisingly nippy. I think the truth will be somewhere in between, it saves lots of weight and it's Turbocharged, but it's still only a 2 cylinder 900cc so we'll see...

but it's still only a 2 cylinder 900cc so we'll see...

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Yes, and 85hp, which, given the lightness translates into the equivalent of something over 90hp with the current four cylinder. It apparently has good low end torque too. So it will be quick and handy, and economical. Fiat says it has mastered the inherent balance problem as well.

A test I read last year said it was very responsive, so I too await this new engine with anticipation. And how!

This engine will be great around town no doubt, nippy, agile and responsive as you say, but rubbish on longer faster roads i'm guessing, e.g. motorways or anything above 80 MPH.

Why?

85 hp is very respectable in a small light car, and the current 500 with the 69hp 1.2 runs well enough at high speed - and the TwinAir has 16 more hp than this don't forget, and is lighter. I'll bet it will hum along very nicely at 90+.

Nothing from FGAUK yet but will keep an eye on the announcements with keen interest

Ta

Ulpian said:

Why?

85 hp is very respectable in a small light car, and the current 500 with the 69hp 1.2 runs well enough at high speed - and the TwinAir has 16 more hp than this don't forget, and is lighter. I'll bet it will hum along very nicely at 90+.

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Hmmm, i'm not sure, the 1.4 is far too slow as it is and that has 100 BHP. I thought there was going to be a 105 BHP option?

Ulpian said:

Yes, and 85hp, which, given the lightness translates into the equivalent of something over 90hp with the current four cylinder. It apparently has good low end torque too. So it will be quick and handy, and economical. Fiat says it has mastered the inherent balance problem as well.

A test I read last year said it was very responsive, so I too await this new engine with anticipation. And how!

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Active balancing, I presume......?

DraigFlag87 said:

Hmmm, i'm not sure, the 1.4 is far too slow as it is and that has 100 BHP. I thought there was going to be a 105 BHP option?

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There is. And a non Turbo 60hp version.I'm really looking forward to this. The 500 gets it first. Then the new Panda.

DraigFlag87 said:

the 1.4 is far too slow as it is and that has 100 BHP.

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It really isn't. For everyday driving 100hp is absolutely fine. I actually find 69bhp more than adequate for getting around town and even doing motorway runs for miles. The average user doesn't want a fast car they want something economical and quick enough to keep up with traffic.

If you want something really powerful then not even the Abarth is quick really. Almost all the modern German saloons and estates will still outrun it! It's a good inbetween car but that's not to say that the 100hp is slow. Especially not if you've seen Rob driving his.

Lloyd71 said:

I actually find 69bhp more than adequate for getting around town and even doing motorway runs for miles.

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:yeahthat:
Driving technique is way more important than bhp for town driving and the like. I have no issues whatsoever keeping up with or even leading traffic in the 126. And that was only 20 odd bhp 20 odd years ago, probably lucky if it's even 18-19 bhp nowadays. Granted you need alittle more for motorway driving.

Lloyd71 said:

It really isn't. For everyday driving 100hp is absolutely fine. I actually find 69bhp more than adequate for getting around town and even doing motorway runs for miles. The average user doesn't want a fast car they want something economical and quick enough to keep up with traffic.

If you want something really powerful then not even the Abarth is quick really. Almost all the modern German saloons and estates will still outrun it! It's a good inbetween car but that's not to say that the 100hp is slow. Especially not if you've seen Rob driving his.

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well said- this is entirely true-

and- i have a sneaking suspicion that the new MJ2 diesel engine is going to be a very close match for the abarth in day to day driving...
all that torque so low down!..thats what makes a car feel really 'quick'

the 1.2 is a sweet little lump, and i never tire of it!....the new 0.9 fascinates me- i think we are going to get used to these tiny capacities as everyone downsizes- you can even get the golf now with a 1.2 TSI and thats quoted 0-60 in 10 secs!!!

85bhp, a little turbo and free road tax?....i see my next engine!

keeforelli said:

well said- this is entirely true-

and- i have a sneaking suspicion that the new MJ2 diesel engine is going to be a very close match for the abarth in day to day driving...
all that torque so low down!..thats what makes a car feel really 'quick'

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I doubt it. Sure low down torque is nice but the fact that you can really rev the Abarth (not as much as a powerful n/a engine of course) is what makes a powerful turbo engine fun to drive.

DraigFlag87 said:

Hmmm, i'm not sure, the 1.4 is far too slow as it is and that has 100 BHP. I thought there was going to be a 105 BHP option?

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Read the article again

The offer of a trackday still stands - then we'll see if 100 bhp is not enough

omg look at those pictures! it's so small

RobW said:

Read the article again

The offer of a trackday still stands - then we'll see if 100 bhp is not enough

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Sorry let me clarify, not enough for me. And i probably never will go on a track because i would hate to fall victim of our over-controlled overprotective "nanny state"

+ the roads are just as fun around here

DraigFlag87 said:

Sorry let me clarify, not enough for me. And i probably never will go on a track because i would hate to fall victim of our over-controlled overprotective "nanny state"

+ the roads are just as fun around here

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Nurburgring it is then :devil:

DraigFlag87 said:

Sorry let me clarify, not enough for me. And i probably never will go on a track because i would hate to fall victim of our over-controlled overprotective "nanny state"

+ the roads are just as fun around here

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Huh? The track is where you can push your limits the most. Sounds like you're just scared tbh

306maxi said:

Huh? The track is where you can push your limits the most. Sounds like you're just scared tbh

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Hang on, i've never claimed to be a good/skilled driver, I've never claimed that the Abarth is faster than a super car, all i said was that i don't think 100 HP or there abouts is enough. I get frustrated with anything less quite honestly, you've seen the hills around here. This threads not about how fast you can get around a track in Germany, it's about whether a 2 cylinder engine will be able to keep up with other traffic on today's busy roads

Talk about off topic!