Fiat has unveiled the production version of its two-cylinder gasoline engine family called TwinAir. The first car to receive the new turbocharged engine is the Fiat 500, in both three-door and convertible forms, with sales to begin from September, 2010.

The innovative 0.9-liter 2-cylinder engine implements several technologies, including a small-sized turbine, start and stop and the firm’s MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions by controlling air directly via the inlet valves, without using the throttle.

Fiat says that compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new Twinair engine is significantly shorter (-23%) and lighter (-10%), while returning 30% lower fuel consumption.

The new Twinair engine will eventually be offered in various flavors with power outputs ranging from 65 to 105 HP.

In the 500 and 500C, the 0.9-liter unit produces 85HP at 5,500 rpm and 145Nm of peak torque at 1,900 rpm. Equipped with the 85HP 0.9-liter engine and a manual gearbox, the Fiat 500 reaches a top speed of 173 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds.

In addition, the Fiat 500 with TwinAir 85 HP and the Dualogic robotized gearbox will come equipped with an ECO button positioned on the dashboard allowing the driver to select from two modes, Normal and ECO. In the first mode, the engine delivers the maximum available torque (145 Nm) while steering assistance is set on normal.

In ECO mode, the emphasis is on “eco-friendly” driving as torque is cut off to 100 Nm at 1,750 rpm to minimize consumption and promote a driving style more suitable for city traffic while the steering wheel is lighter (CITY mode is automatically selected).

The new Twinair engine will be offered on other A- and B-segment Fiat’s models including the Panda and the Punto Evo.

A new special edition of the Fiat 500 has been unveiled. Called the 500 Limited Edition ” Rosso Corsa”, it will be produced exclusively for the German market in a limited series of 250 examples.

The 500 Limited Edition ” Rosso Corsa” will gets a unique red finish and also gets a leather interior, 16-inch alloy wheels with red accents, Bi-Xenon headlamps, a higher-grade audio system and red painted brake calipers.

The Fiat 500 Limited Edition “Rosso Corsa” is available only with the 100HP 1.4-liter naturally aspirated petrol with pricing set at €19,500.

The annual Salon Privé, a luxury car event that takes place this year in London from 21-23 July, will be hosting the UK debut of the all-electric Fiat Atomik 500.

Created by French maker, Atomik Cars, the Fiat 500 gets two electric motors, one up front producing 80kW and 840Nm (619 lb-ft), and one at the rear that makes the same power but a whopping 1,710 Nm (1,261 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The Atomik says that the 1,400kg 500 EV can hit 100km/h (62mph) from rest in less than 5 seconds, complete the 0-1,000 meter sprint in 26 seconds and achieve a top speed of around 200 km/h (electric cutoff is at 180 km/h), while providing a range of 200 km (124 miles).

Fiat’s tuning brand, Abarth, has unveiled the lid on its latest creation based on the 500C. Like its tin-topped counterpart, the Abarth 500C benefits from a more powerful turbocharged engine as well as chassis upgrades and a full suite of aero tweaks to reduce drag and improve high-speed stability over the standard Fiat 500C.

Motivation comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet engine delivering 140 horsepower and 206Nm of peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters.

The Abarth 500C can start from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 205km/h or 127mph, while returning an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 6.5lt/100km, or the U.S. equal of 36.2mpg.

Aside from the turbocharged engine, the firm’s engineers have also tweaked the rag-top mini’s suspension and brake components.

Abarth adds a full body kit with beefed up front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear diffuser that integrates the twin tail pipes. The Abarth 500C rides on newly styled 17-inch alloy wheels.

The vehicle’s electrically operated rollover canvas top comes in a choice of two colours (black or titanium grey), while Abarth also created three special two-tone color schemes, one in black and race white and the other in two different shades of grey.

The Abarth 500C will reach European dealerships later this year with North American sales scheduled to start sometime in 2012.

Fiat announced today that it is replacing the the 500 mini’s 75HP Multijet diesel unit with a 1.3-liter Multijet II engine that incorporates Start&Stop technology and a DPF particulate filter.

The new diesel unit produces an output of 95 horsepower (+20HP) at 4,000rpm and 200Nm or 148 lb-ft of torque at only 1,500rpm.

The result is a significant improvement in the car’s performance as top speed is increased from 165km/h to 181km/h while the 0-100km/h acceleration time is reduced from 12.5 to just 10.7 seconds.

The fuel consumption is improved from 67.3mpg UK (equal to 4.2lt/100km and 56.1mpg US) to 72.4mpg UK (3.9 lt/100km or 60.2mpg) in the combined European cycle.

Look at the image above. It a Fiat 500 Pink Limited Edition. Only 500 of these pink Fiat 500 will be produced. The pink car will target women drivers making them believe that it is a must have motoring fashion item. Under the hood will be a 1242 engine that will make the car pelt from 0 to 62mph in 13 secs and it will top it out a 99 miles per hour. The car sports a purplish pink tinge while on the inside it adores the color black. Other attractions include a start/stop system, a leather gear knob and most notably a sunroof.

The Fiat 500 Pink Limited Edition is priced at £11,700 and it is already on sale in the UK.

Fiat’s New Small Gasoline Engine that will make its premiere on the 500 mini. The newest 0.9-liter twin-cylinder engine features turbocharging and Fiat’s Multiair technology that controls the intake valves, depending on the horsepower needed.

Fiat says that while the new engine offers the same performance as a larger naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, fuel economy and, as a consequence, CO2 emissions are significantly improved.

In addition to the advantages in fuel consumption, the twin-cylinder engine is also said to be 20 per cent lighter in weight and more compact in size compared to a 4-cylinder engine with the same output.

The new two-cylinder engine is expected to be offered in two turbocharged variants developing 80HP and 105HP while Fiat will add a 65HP naturally aspirated version, also equipped with the Multiair system followed up by a CNG version.

The twin-cylinder engine will find its way on the Fiat Group’s A- and B-Segment models like the Fiat 500, Panda and Punto EVO.

Fiat’s tuning division has unveiled its special-edition 500 Abarth Competizione model. Abarth Competizione Special-edition will be priced nearly $35k and only ten will be made available for exclusive consumption in Holland. The €3,000 premium over the stock 500 Abarth gets enthusiastic buyers a special little hot hatch with a black roof, black 17-inch alloys and matching black graphics, along with special bucket seats inside. The FIAT 500 Abarth Competizione also will be equipped with sattelite-navigation, air-condition and a premium audio system. Although the Competizione edition packs the 135hp turbo four, buyers can always upgrade with the 160hp EsseEsse kit.

Good news for Fiat’s minicar fans: the new video of Fiat’s brand-new 500C convertible minicar was shared on the net. Fiat 500C was revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The cabrio variant of the 500 that features an electric-sliding fabric top enters the European market two years after the launch of the fixed-roof model. Today Fiat offers the 500C with 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter petrol and 1.3-liter diesel engines.

Hot news for fiat’s fans: the UK will be the first country in Europe to receive the new 500 Convertible even before it goes to dealerships in Italy. The all-new Fiat 500C cabrio will arrive in UK show-rooms this summer. The prices ranging from £11,300 for the entry-level 1.2-liter gasoline model to £14,100 for the highly specified Lounge version with a 1.3-litre turbodiesel. The rag-topped 500 will be available in 11 colors and buyers being able to choose from three different engines, the 69HP 1.2-litre and 100HP 1.4-litre petrol units, and the 75HP 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel.

There are two trim options available, Pop and Lounge. An electrically operated hood, air conditioning, remote central locking, radio/CD/MP3 player, seven airbags and electric door mirrors are standard on all cars, while climate control, ESP stability control, foglights and rear parking sensors are among the principal features incorporated in Lounge models.

1.2 Pop £11,300

1.4 Pop £12,500

1.3 Mjet Pop £12,700

1.2 Lounge £12,700

1.4 Lounge £13,900

1.3 Mjet Lounge £14,100