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 the 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, but with 30% better fuel consumption. Of course with an engine that is much smaller than its rivals, there are also 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.

“Until now we have been unable to bring TwinAir to Australia because we do not have the differential automotive tax system that enables advanced low emission/low consumption technology to be sold at market competitive prices in Europe through reduced taxation,” says Andrei Zaitzev, General Manager of Fiat Australia. “However we could not accept that Australia should be denied this remarkable technology and its ability to make an environmental contribution to our environment because of a shortcoming in our tax system. We have, therefore, negotiated hard to enable it to arrive in Australia and to do so at market competitive prices. We have no doubt that this remarkable technical advance in engine design will be as warmly welcomed in Australia as it has been in Europe and that it will strengthen Australian Fiat 500 sales.” Full details of the Fiat 500 TwinAir range will be announced when it arrives in Australia in early 2012.