Automotive

I don't know if the TwinAir is on sale in the States but imho it is the pick of the range if you don't go for an Abarth. The TwinAir is a two cylinder engine (!) with 875 cubic centimeters (what's that? 58 cubic inches?) with a single turbo charger and 85hp. That sounds even worse when thinking of the 1.4 from this wonderful report but the smaller TwinAir actually has about 20% more torque from around 1900 rpm whereas the 1.4 reaches peak torque at 4250 rpm. I found the 0.9 feeling quicker and to be more frugal at the same time.

It has plenty of torque from low down, sounds like the original old 500 from the fifties and is impressively efficient. During the last two years I drove 12k miles with 38mpg. Tax is 18 Euros per year and insurance is around 250 Euros per year. 

The 500 is the most economic car I ever had.

And it is far from being the one offering the least fun! It is simply great. The ride is surprisingly good for such a small car and I found it comfy enough to take it on a 600 mile journey to Italy. It is easily powerful enough for the steepest mountain pass in the alps or to keep an 90 mph average on the Autobahn.

Since last month the TwinAir is available with 105hp and the scheduled arrival of my new 105hp 500c in 8 weeks is the only reason to part with my current 500c.

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