Fiat 500c Twinair 'Gold Winner For Green Vehicles' In Top Environmental Awards

LONDON - Nov 16, 2011: It’s no stranger to environmental awards, but the Fiat 500 city car has this week scooped another international accolade, more than four years since its launch.

This time it was the turn of the 500C convertible version which, in TwinAir form, won the Green Apple Gold Award for Green Vehicles, Coupes and Cabriolets, at the 2011 International Green Apple Awards.

The Green Apple trophy was presented to Fiat by TV Dragon’s Den winner Chris Hopkins, and Ian Donaldson, chairman of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, which judged and selected the winners, at the House of Commons in London yesterday (14 November).

“We were looking for cars that are not just green on paper, but are green in the real world too, and are also fun to drive,” says Ian Donaldson. “The Fiat 500C TwinAir totally encapsulates those thoughts and was a worthy winner.”

Launched by Fiat in July 2009, the 500C does everything its hatchback sister can do in terms of green motoring, but, in paying homage to the original 1957 fabric roof Fiat 500, offers a modern interpretation of a ‘soft top’ with state-of-the-art mechanical design and electric operation.

The TwinAir engine is already an award winner, not least as International Engine of the Year 2011. The 0.9-litre two cylinder unit is widely deemed to be the one that best suits the 500’s fun-to-drive attitude. Its high torque at low revs and environmentally-friendly credentials help make the 500 TwinAir a serious contender among rival city cars. With a 95g/km CO2 figure it can return more than 68mpg Combined fuel economy.

“I am delighted that Fiat is once again figuring in the Green Apple Awards – we were there two years ago with eco:Drive,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “And it is especially pleasing that the award this year recognises two huge developments for 500 – the ‘soft top’ roof and the two cylinder engine. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of this remarkable city car.”