Fiat’s TwinAir is engine of the year

Posted on 2010/10/25 by Tomauto

As much as i like big engined cars, the one good thing to come out of the EU’s new emission standards is the advancement in engine technology.

Take Fiats new TwinAir engine that has just been added to the 500 range. Now i’m not the greatest fan of Fiat cars but if this new engine doesn’t win prizes for engine of the year then something’s wrong.

Without going all technical, they’ve removed two cylinders from their traditional 4 cylinder inline unit trimming 367 cc off the engine capacity. Thrown a turbo charger in for good measure which has increased the power output from 69 to 85 bhp and improved torque by 43 Nm’s and its all available at lower revs where it matter most.

But that’s not all. Fuel economy has increased from 65.7 mpg (extra urban cycle) to 76.3 mpg whilst all the time increasing in the vehicles kerb weight.

That’s impressive by any standards. Of course the upshot is the 500 TwinAir range drops below that crucial 100 g/km CO2 threshold (95 g/km), making it exempt from road tax, and probably congestion charges in 2011.

And all this without fiddling with the tyres and throwing a rear seat out of the window. Well done Fiat!

Posted in 500, Fiat | Tagged | 1 Comment

More pictures of ix20 emerge

Posted on 2010/09/21 by Tomauto

At a private press meeting fleet buyers got a closer look at the new Hyundai ix20 in all its glory.

ix20 with panoramic roofThe images reveal a Panoramic sunroof as well as a diesel version sporting the Blue Drive technology badging.

In less than a  week Hyundai will take the wrappers off its new b-segment people carrier at the Paris motor show, although its hardly been a secret has it?

A quick glance at the ix20 shows a lot of the design queues have been taken from the ix35 crossover, as well as baring a striking resemblance to the Kia Venga. Given both companies are partners this is understandable.

The ix20 replaces the outgoing and aging Matrix and as you’d expect, offers more in terms of arm and leg room, power, performance and economy without increasing its carbon footprint.

However, it’s in the value stakes where the ix20 will be tested the most. Sales of the Venga have been slow to date given the £12,000 price tag and the well established Ceed range cannibalising sales with better value for money offerings.

With the i30 now one of it’s best selling models, Hyundai could find themselves in a similar situation unless they get the ix20 pricing right from the off. If they get that wrong then i can’t see Hyundai having the same supply issues with the ix20 as they are with the ix35.

Posted in ix20 | 3 Comments

Hyundai answer questions over ix35 supply

Posted on 2010/09/21 by Tomauto

Hyundai managing director Tony Whitehorn agreed to a live questions and answer session from customers frustrated at having to wait for supply of its new ix35 crossover.

hyundai ix35The session, which was initiated on behalf of ‘Honest John’ (Daily Telegraph & www.honestjohn.co.uk), lasted 1.5 hours and allowed customers to ask a range of questions from compensation to whether the supply problems were specific to the UK or the whole of Europe.

This is the first time a manufacturer has answered questions directly to the customers and could set a trend for the future. Dealers will also be relieved as most of the questions from customers seemed to be in support of the dealer network where they’ve placed orders.

Tony Whitehorn revealed that most customers have ordered the 2.0 CRDi which has put a strain on the production lines.  However, he suggested those customers could choose the  1.7 diesel and 1.6 petrol models if they didn’t wish to wait any longer.

One customer revealed he’d ordered a car from an internet company in March and wanted to know if Hyundai would only give priority to dealer orders. Mr Whitehorn asked the name of the company stating Hyundai don’t supply ix35 to third parties and all cars will be coming via the dealer network. I would imagine that internet company won’t be supplying bogus orders for much longer.

Overall the session allowed the opportunity to clear the air and should have gone someway to appeasing customers.

You can download a copy of the full transcript.

Did you take part in the question and answer session? Tell us what you thought by posting your comments here.

Posted in Hyundai, ix35 | 2 Comments