Hi guys whats this about? There are 2 1.2's to choose from in the New Fiat 500 configurator? A 1.2 and a 1.2 ECO? 5 MPG more? lower on the co2 emissions!

Must be a blast to drive! = )


AND HOW ON EARTH does the 1.3 MTJ have 89 g/km, lower than all the other engines even the TA? Fiat cooking the books as well for 'clean diesel engines'? haha

A diesel has always been good at CO2 emissions, it's the NOx that is terrible.

Solution: get a petrol with LPG conversion, win for the environment, win at the fuel station, and no horrible diesel knocking.

That eco 1.2 is probably just a shift indicator and a button to reduce power instead of just the city steering.
Considering the TA85 is already plain slow in eco-mode, I wouldn't bother with an eco version of the 1.2, unless it makes a big difference in taxes and you don't mind having even less power when you want the city steering.

apparently its the standard 1.2 petrol with a stop,start system (though it was standard anyway), low rolling resistance tyres, a "smart" alternator and underbody aerodynamic changes
although makes you wonder why all of these aren't standard on all 1.2's

Be happy those "smart" alternators and low res tyres aren't standard!
The first is doomed to give trouble eventually, and low res tyres are noisier and less grippy.

I actually specified I want my Doblo delivered on Vredestein Quatrac 5 tyres because OEM tyres already tend to be nothing special, let alone low res ones.

The 500 is already known for having a very loose back end because of the short wheelbase and heavily front biased weight balance, so you really don't want to reduce grip.

Candisa said:

Be happy those "smart" alternators and low res tyres aren't standard!
The first is doomed to give trouble eventually, and low res tyres are noisier and less grippy.

I actually specified I want my Doblo delivered on Vredestein Quatrac 5 tyres because OEM tyres already tend to be nothing special, let alone low res ones.

The 500 is already known for having a very loose back end because of the short wheelbase and heavily front biased weight balance, so you really don't want to reduce grip.

Click to expand...

I'm quoting this on this thread!

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/433719-fiat-500-handling-limits-3.html

Yeah I had read something about this a few months back, not a huge surprise to me that it is now on there.

Would be interested to see how much of a difference there is between the two cars and whether this ECO one really does offer better economy in real life. Also, wonder if performance has been traded off as well.

If anything, the performance in straight lines would be better, but if you need to slow down more before a bend, and thus need to accelerate harder trough/after it because of the low res tyres, you'll probably use more fuel. Not to mention it's less safe!

Those economy tests are done on rolling roads and wind tunnels, but they don't take in account how it influences how much speed you can keep safely and comfortably while cornering.
The same goes for safety testing, some tests even give good points for bad tyres, as a car that slips easily wont roll as fast...

Isabelle