Fiat 500 TwinAir's little engine packs a big surprise

The latest Fiat 500 pays homage to the original 13bhp version of 1957 by reintroducing a two-cylinder engine and the results are surprising, not only in eco-friendly terms, but performance.

Known as the TwinAir, Fiat’s innovative new engine combines Fiat’s MultiAir technology—which minutely controls the amount of air passing through the engine—and a turbocharger to produce 85bhp and 107lb.ft. of torque from just 875ccs.

The resulting combination of free road tax, thanks to CO2 emissions of 95g/km, and fuel consumption of 68.9mpg make the TwinAir the cleanest mass produced petrol engine on the market.

Prices start at £10,665 and range to £13,715 for the range-topping TwinAir byDIESEL.

I tested  the £12,065 TwinAir Lounge, which comes with an interior that resembles an Italian coffee machine, a bluetooth phone connection, USB iPod dock and a Fiat’s eco:Drive system, which records your eco-driving credentials for later perusal on your home PC.

Green motoring rarely results in a fun drive but the 500 TwinAir turns that preconception on its head.

The lightweight Fiat felt genuinely rapid as the distinctive phut-phut-phut soundtrack of the two-cylinder unit built to a hard thrum.

There’s a level of character and low-rev torque that I never anticipated.

Fiat claim the TwinAir will hit 62mph in 11 seconds and a 108mph top speed...but it felt quicker than that.

Perhaps part of the reason is that I battled to prevent myself sliding off the Lounge’s comfy seats—which lack lateral support—in tighter corners, where the 500’s soft suspension leans heavily.

It’s a cuddly, lovable car, and the TwinAir engine’s technology is impressive.

Only a woeful lack of headroom in the rear and a 46mpg test average fuel consumption let it down.

Despite a £1,200 premium, the Multijet diesel is still the pick of the range for those wanting to steer clear of the forecourts then, but for sheer fun and character the new kid on the block is a resounding hit.