General Fiat 500 1.2 vs 1.4 0-80kmph acceleration

[PZ500]

Hi all, I am about to buy an used F500 and I have a choice of 1.2 (cheaper) or 1.4 (more expensive) model.

Anyways, not working today so I was on Youtube looking at the videos 0-100kmph (62mph) acceleration of various 1.2 and 1.4 F500s.

1.4 is quicker to 100kmph (62mph), but I noticed that 0-80kmph (50mph), on average, both engines get to it in about 8 seconds.

There were few examples of 1.4 engine getting to it in 7 seconds, but there were a couple of 1.2s that also reached it in that time (I suspect these 1.2s being well run in and not being lounges- so less weight).

Now I know that this is in no way scientific test and there is no way knowing if owners of these cars were lying about cars being stock, road conditions, etc., but I find this very interesting.

Could anyone who has driven both engines give their opinion on this?

 

[jrkitching]

Hi all, I am about to buy an used F500 and I have a choice of 1.2 (cheaper) or 1.4 (more expensive) model.

Anyways, not working today so I was on Youtube looking at the videos 0-100kmph (62mph) acceleration of various 1.2 and 1.4 F500s.

1.4 is quicker to 100kmph (62mph), but I noticed that 0-80kmph (50mph), on average, both engines get to it in about 8 seconds.

There were few examples of 1.4 engine getting to it in 7 seconds, but there were a couple of 1.2s that also reached it in that time (I suspect these 1.2s being well run in and not being lounges- so less weight).

Now I know that this is in no way scientific test and there is no way knowing if owners of these cars were lying about cars being stock, road conditions, etc., but I find this very interesting.

Could anyone who has driven both engines give their opinion on this?

Just looking at the 0-60 times will give you a pretty poor indication of the real world differences between two cars with different engines.

The 1.2 & 1.4 have very dissimilar power delivery; the way to decide which one is right for you is to test drive them both, back to back.

The 1.2 will cost less both to buy and to run; only you can decide if having the 1.4 is worth the extra money.

 

[PZ500]

Jr, i have tested both cars and 1.4 is quicker, but i did not feel any great difference since my test drives were on suburban roads where max speed is 70kmph.

Since the fastest i can go on my work commute is 80kmph, that is why i was trying to compare the two engines in real life and on youtube.

And for some reason the Sport version with its digital speedo and sports seats felt just like any other car. Driving the Pop felt like i was driving a classic car.

Small engine, spartan interior, just can't put my finger on why it felt more fun then supposedly faster car.

 

[jrkitching]

Speed isn't everything - the way the car feels is more important.

If you're going to use it for an urban commute, I'd go for the 1.2 every time. It'll also likely save you quite a bit of money if you're going to keep it awhile; economy is noticeably better and less stress means fewer repairs. Plus some of the wear & tear parts are significantly cheaper.

 

[UFI]

Small engine, spartan interior, just can't put my finger on why it felt more fun then supposedly faster car.

Welcome back from the dark side On a public road, the slower the car the more fun it is (to a point).

The glass roof lounge makes it pretty top heavy, otherwise the specs aren't greatly different. The 16" alloy wheels are heavier than the steel ones, so really the 1.4 is needed just to offset the wheels and roof. The only thing you'd probably want to add to a Pop is bluetooth headunit which for $100+ fitting kit you'll have a system better than Fiat's. There is one popular brand (Speedy?) that sells a 'superlight' 15" alloy wheel specifically for the 500 here in AU.

 

[PZ500]

The 1.4 i tried was a 2015 sport, so no sunroof. But inside just felt like it was trying too hard to be a 'sport' model, so it.felt like it lost its charm.

What I'm wondering are the two engines very close in 0-80kmph, or same, but then 1.4 just reaches those last 20kmph quicker.