Fiat's Two-Cylinder Engine Rides the Tailwinds

The current trend in the automotive industry is downsizing. Among these, the Fiat "500 TwinAir" with its mere two cylinders stands out. Although it was released in 2011, with the addition of the manual transmission 500S in April of this year, alongside the existing two-pedal Dualogic specification, we decided to test drive both simultaneously.

The Fiat 500 is the fourth generation of the current model.

The lineage includes the 1936 "500" (driven by Gregory Peck in "Roman Holiday"), the '57 "Nuova 500," the '91 "Cinquecento" (the Italian pronunciation of 500), and the current model from 2007. Its compact body and high level of refinement as a daily driver have been passed down through generations.





Incidentally, the third-generation Cinquecento is often not counted in the 500 lineage, but since Fiat's headquarters at the time explicitly stated it was the successor to the Nuova 500, it's reasonable to include it. It was highly refined as a small people mover.





The bold choice of an inline two-cylinder engine might not feel out of place for Europeans in their 40s and above who know the Nuova 500 was also a two-cylinder. More importantly, there's a forward-looking spirit that embraces bold technological advancements. With these factors as tailwinds, the two-cylinder engine cars seem to be running smoothly under the TwinAir name.

Upon driving it, the car performs surprisingly well. Those who particularly love cars and understand the joy of driving with a revving engine might even feel a certain sportiness.

First, the 500 TwinAir Lounge

Until now, the 500 TwinAir in Japan was equipped with a two-pedal manual transmission called Dualogic. This system uses a machine to operate the clutch, offering some convenience and better fuel efficiency than a torque converter automatic.





The 500 TwinAir's maximum torque of 145Nm is generated at 1,900rpm, so despite its displacement of less than 900cc, it can accelerate surprisingly strongly. Especially in city traffic, the automatic mode of Dualogic (which automatically shifts up and down) allows for a drive that is not significantly different from an automatic car with a larger displacement.

When you want to drive more actively, you can use the manual operation mode to shift up and down, fully utilizing the power of the turbo engine, which delivers significant torque from around 3,000rpm.

Incidentally, this manual mode operates in reverse to most cars: pulling back shifts up, and pushing forward shifts down, a pattern similar to racing cars. BMW, which favors a sporty image, also uses a similar pattern.





The suspension is well-balanced, with firm dampers that prevent the car from bouncing, even on rough roads or at high speeds. It's skillfully set up. The springs are slightly soft, so quick lane changes might be less comfortable for passengers, but this also contributes to the car's pleasant ride.

The seats, with their relatively high seating position, are comfortable and make long drives less tiring. The new generation 500 proves itself to be an excellent people mover once again.

More Fun with a Manual Transmission?

The newly added 500S shares the same engine output and torque as the Dualogic models (POP and LOUNGE as of July 2013), with its main distinguishing feature being the 5-speed manual transmission.

Could a manual transmission make it even better? The answer to the question that those interested in the 500 TwinAir might have is a resounding "Yes." I was impressed by how well they combine.

The manual transmission is well-suited because, although the two-cylinder engine's maximum torque is rated at 1,900rpm, it actually delivers significant power around 3,000rpm. The engine's revving characteristics are good, so by using gear changes to keep the engine within its strong torque band, you can enjoy a satisfying drive.





The gears have a somewhat long throw, and to make matters worse, the shift knob is too large, making it difficult to operate. However, it's still enjoyable. Anyone with experience driving a small-displacement manual car will quickly adapt to the 500S. In fact, they'll likely feel compelled to actively support this car.

If You're Buying a 500—

The 500 TwinAir is a car that captivates car enthusiasts.

Sold under a different brandAbarthare very well-made, excellent sports cars, but isn't it interesting that, while using the same platform, there are also models that prioritize comfort?

The 500 lineup includes the "TwinAir Lounge" (2.5 million yen), "TwinAir Pop" (2.2 million yen), and the "500S" (2.25 million yen). What are its rivals? The Volkswagen "up!" (similar body size, 999cc 3-cylinder engine, 1.49-1.86 million yen), the Peugeot "208" (especially the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder "Allure" at 1.99 million yen), and the Chrysler "Ypsilon" (equipped with the same two-cylinder engine, 2.35 million yen). While the up! is strong in the market in terms of pricing and actual sales, the factor of "fun to drive" makes it difficult to make a simple comparison of price differences.





However, for those who drive around 10,000 km per year, there's no need to fuss over such a difference in fuel economy (we state this definitively). What's important might be whether you can enjoy being with the car on a daily basis.

From the stylish (yet not ostentatious) interior design to the body that suits colors like gray so well, once you drive it, you'll likely never forget it.




Whether it's the cute sound of the two-cylinder engine, the "tokotoko-tokotoko," it all comes down to whether you can fall in love with this 500 TwinAir. If your emotional judgment leads to a "go," then it will surely become a wonderful partner you can be with for life, surpassing all other rivals.

Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge
Body Dimensions: Length 3,545 x Width 1,625 x Height 1,515 mm
Wheelbase: 2,300 mm
Tread Front/Rear: 1,415 / 1,410 mm
Weight: 1,040 kg (1,050 kg with sunroof)
Engine: 875 cc Inline 2-cylinder DOHC Turbo
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore x Stroke: 80.5 x 86.0 mm
Max. Output: 63kW (85ps) / 5,500 rpm (57kW (77ps) / 5,500rpm with ECO switch)
Max. Torque: 145Nm (14.8kgm) / 1,900rpm (100Nm (10.2kgm) / 2,000rpm with ECO switch)
Transmission: 5-speed Sequential with Automatic Mode (Dualogic)
Drivetrain: FF
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut with Stabilizer
Rear Suspension: Torsion Beam with Stabilizer
Tires: 185/55R15
Brakes Front/Rear: Disc / Drum
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode): 24.0 km/ℓ
CO2 Emissions: 97 g/km
Price: 2.5 million yen

Fiat 500 TwinAir Lounge
Body Dimensions: Length 3,585 x Width 1,625 x Height 1,515 mm
Wheelbase: 2,300 mm
Tread Front/Rear: 1,415 / 1,410 mm
Weight: 1,010 kg
Engine: 875 cc Inline 2-cylinder DOHC Turbo
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore x Stroke: 80.5 x 86.0 mm
Max. Output: 63kW (85ps) / 5,500 rpm (57kW (77ps) / 5,500rpm with ECO switch)
Max. Torque: 145Nm (14.8kgm) / 1,900rpm (100Nm (10.2kgm) / 2,000rpm with ECO switch)
Transmission: 5-speed Manual
Drivetrain: FF
Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut with Stabilizer
Rear Suspension: Torsion Beam with Stabilizer
Tires: 185/55R15
Brakes Front/Rear: Disc / Drum
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode): 26.6 km/ℓ
CO2 Emissions: 88 g/km
Price: 2.25 million yen