Test drive Fiat 500 0.9 TWIN-AIR: Two, if you like!
If you believe Fiat's promises, the new TWIN-AIR engine has nothing more than two cylinders. First found in the not-so-cheap, retro-designed little car the 500, the direct-injection turbo tries to break the shackles of the standard four-cylinder engine.
In the race to build the most efficient internal combustion engine today, engineers are playing a kind of mechanical Mikado—they take a big engine and start stripping its cylinders while it keeps running. At the moment, Fiat designers have come a long way, because their unit, called TWIN-AIR, somehow manages to pass with only two cylinders in a row.
A little fun
So nothing else is missing? On the contrary, it does not have, for example, a camshaft for intake valves, the functions of which are taken over by an electro-hydraulic system for fully variable valve control, which dooms the throttle to almost complete inactivity. It remains permanently open and is activated only in emergency situations. Together with direct fuel injection, this should improve the efficiency of the gasoline engine, while at the same time a turbocharger is required to squeeze out enough power of just 875cc. Result 85 hp and maximum torque of 145 Nm at 1900 rpm. Their opponent is the 949 kilograms of Fiat 500, which is completely suppressed at the first step on the gas.
The two-cylinder engine reacts like a bait to any movement of the right foot and revs enthusiastically. However, even at 6000 rpm it hits a limiter, thus exposing the 8000 speedometer designation as pure bragging rights. In terms of overclocking values, the four-seat model also lags behind promises. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h takes 11,8 seconds - eight tenths more than the manufacturer claimed.
However, the two-cylinder model is ahead of the four-cylinder version with 100 hp, with which we measured earlier, in terms of values achieved. Another advantage TWIN-AIR has over it is more in the area of entertainment, as the energetic dynamics are acoustically aligned with a musical performance composed and performed by a small group. The two top hats chant loudly, but never annoying, and with a little fantasies, you can imagine their voice coming from behind. If you have no experience with this automotive breed, you may at first think that the welds on the exhaust manifold are cracked. However, you will soon feel sympathy for the warm acoustics that promise a southern temperament.
Different moods
Infected with such cheerfulness, the pilot is probably not averse to reaching the top gear lever often. The five gears of a fairly moderately precise transmission require vigorous work, because, despite the forced charging, traction during intermediate acceleration remains within clearly visible limits. It is noteworthy that vibrations reach the gear lever and steering wheel - despite the manufacturer's claim that he eliminated this design flaw with a balance shaft. The subjective feeling says otherwise, but 500 people are ready to forgive this weakness of the playful and impulsive.
Just be careful that your right hand does not accidentally press the Eco button - because then all the joy of life disappears almost without a trace. The mode represents the second group of functions, in which power is limited to 57 hp and torque is reduced to 100 Nm. At the same time, the engine responds much more phlegmatically to commands from the accelerator pedal, and the steering operates in City mode, which is characterized by an extremely easy move. It's true that in a custom-designed, daily cycle test, the cost dropped by up to 14 percent, but driving pleasure was reduced by the same amount, perhaps more.
With the Blue & Me infotainment system incorporated into its fuel-efficient driving system, Fiat offers another fuel-saving tool. In any case, we were unable to achieve a lower fuel consumption of 5,1 l / 100 km, which is quite far from the 4,1 l / 100 km promised in the factory data. Small consolation: a very clumsy four-cylinder brother with 69 hp. also failed to handle less fuel. Considering the hot temperament of TWIN-AIR and cold weather, the average consumption in the test of 6,6 l / 100 km can be determined as quite acceptable.
Balance
Significantly more driving pleasure, low cost - is there anything to be said in favor of another petrol model? Hardly, because even four thousand leva more than the basic four-cylinder version does not seem to play such an important role when one takes into account the rich equipment ordered for the cars sold. In addition, TWIN-AIR offers an automatic start-stop system, which usually costs 660 BGN. And it works pretty reliably. However, for ESP, as before, you will have to pay 587 leva - that's what we can't understand!
Thus, the two-cylinder engine cured 500 phlegms, but did not cure some known disorders. For example, the front axle continues to shake nervously on short bumps in the road surface, and the steering system refuses any feedback on contact with the road. It is remarkable how, nevertheless, the little Fiat manages to instill a sense of agility and agility. This is due, among other things, to tight suspension settings, which only allow slight lateral tilt, without completely losing the ability to spring.
In the same way, the Cinquecento demonstrates the qualities of an illusionist in inner comfort. If you sit in the front, you will love the space and dense padding, and you will immediately know that the seats are too small and can be adjusted in a very limited range with cheap and fragile levers. And if someone was so naive that he expected from this 3,55 meter long balloon space for four passengers and their luggage, he would be extremely unpleasantly surprised.
Apparently, more than half a million people who bought a Fiat 500 are still living very well with their four-wheeled companion. Now every next candidate can choose TWIN-AIR and add a nimble and economical engine to the emotional charm of a child - and drive a car with windshield washer nozzles three times larger than the cylinders. Few can boast of this.
text: Jens Drale
a photo: Hans-Dieter Zeufert
Evaluation
Fiat 500 0.9 TWIN-AIR
The powerful engine brings Fiat's mobile design icon to life and, with its low cost, threatens to ruin your relationship with gas station staff. However, the drive does not change the modest useful qualities of the 500th model.
technical details
| Fiat 500 0.9 TWIN-AIR | |
|---|---|
| Working volume | - |
| Power | 85 k.s. at 5500 rpm |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 11,8 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 38 m |
| full speed | 173 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 6,6 l |
| Base Price | 29 900 levov |
