Diesel power is set for a reunion with the new Fiat 500, following confirmation that the facelifted 2016 model will get the latest 1.3 MultiJet II 94bhp engine.
The Italian firm says the unit is specially designed for small cars like the 500 and the Panda.
It produces peak torque of 148lb/ft from just 1,500rpm, but musters 85% of that from an amazingly low 1,250rpm thanks to a small, low-inertia turbocharger that spins up to speed sooner than larger equivalents.
The 500 diesel will race up to a top speed of 112mph, bypassing 62mph in 10.7 seconds, but of
likely greater importance to buyers will be
the claimed fuel economy of 83.1mpg, with corresponding emissions of 89g/km.
It won’t come cheap, though, with starting prices for a diesel 500 nudging past £14,160, while the semi-convertible 500C adds a further £2,649.
