“If you made a New Year’s resolution to be more environmentally aware in 2012 or you decided that the New Year was the time to redefine your personal style, then the Fiat 500 TwinAir is for you,” says Andrei Zaitzev, General Manager of Fiat Australia. “In February, earlier than we had planned, we will launch the TwinAir versions of the Fiat 500 and 500C, redefining small engine technology, engine efficiency and compact engine design and, as this technology is in the Fiat 500, it means that owners not only save fuel, reduce emissions and have the latest technology, they can also be chic and cool. What better way could there be to meet the demands of those New Year’s resolutions!”

Fiat Australia won’t be announcing local prices and specifications until the new cars arrive in February, but they say that despite the advanced technology under the bonnet, there won’t be a penalty compared to the soon to be replaced power plants.

Not only was the Fiat TwinAir engine voted 2011 International Engine of the Year, it also collected the trophies for best engine in its class, 2011 Best New Engine and 2011 Best Green Engine. The TwinAir engine is latest in a line of advanced engine designs that has enabled Fiat to maintain its position for four years as the lowest CO2 car maker selling cars in Europe.

“This is proof that aggressive downsizing need not spell timid performance,” said one of the judges of the International Engine of the Year awards, John Carey of Wheels. “Surprisingly torquey, impressively and affordably efficient, this tiny twin also has plenty of character.”

The TwinAir engine offers the power – 63 kW – and torque – 145 Nm - of engines twice its size of 875cc and with twice as many cylinders. It’s this startlingly high level of efficiency that enables it to offer fuel consumption in the Fiat 500 as low as just 3.6 litres per 100 km and a CO2 figure of just 92 g/km, yet still cover the dash to 100 km in a spritely 11 seconds, while maintaining the refinement of larger power units. In short, performance on a par with the 1.4 litre engine it will replace in the Australian market Fiat 500 and 500C, but with 30% better fuel consumption. Of course with an engine that is literally half the size of its rivals, there are also significant size and weight advantages, with the TwinAir being 23 per cent smaller and 10 per cent lighter.

The Fiat TwinAir engine is able to provide this remarkable combination of performance, economy and low emissions thanks to a wealth of new technology, including the latest application of the Fiat invented MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system, next generation turbocharger, cutting edge designs for gas flow management and technology developed by the Ferrari Formula One Team to reduce internal engine friction.

“This is exactly the sort of technology for which the government should be providing an incentive for car buyers to put on their shopping list and encouraging car makers to make available to the Australian car market,” says Mr Zaitzev. “Around the world governments have tax systems that promote low CO2 and low fuel consumption cars, but not in Australia. Last year’s sales figures clearly showed that Australians are moving to smaller cars, so now is the time for the Government to come to the party and provide tax incentives for cars such as the Fiat 500 TwinAir that are clean, efficient and which use the latest technology to help the environment.” Full details of the Fiat 500 TwinAir range will be announced when it arrives in Australia in February 2012.