Fiat 500's Eco-Credentials Get Another Green Light

LONDON – July 24, 2008: The award-winning Fiat 500 supermini has received further confirmation of its green credentials after scooping top honours for its 1.2 Pop version in the Green Supermini category of the What Car? Green Awards in London.

The awards, which took place on Press Day (22 July) at the British International Motor Show in the city’s ExCeL, were designed to highlight and recognise the UK motor industry’s most economical and environmentally-friendly cars.

The Fiat 500 is currently Car of the Year 2008 and has won a host of other accolades including CAR Magazine Car of the Year, Fifth Gear SmallCar of the Year, EuroCarBody 2007 and Auto Europa 2008.

Commenting on the latest honour, Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief of What Car? says: “The Fiat 500 is the perfect green city car. It’s small, chic and, with an efficient petrol engine, it’s low on CO2 and equally harmful local pollutants.”

Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK adds: “In the current economic climate, increasing numbers of customers are looking for more environmentally-friendly cars that offer greater value for money at the fuel pumps.

“But they must be great to look at and enjoyable to drive too. We think we have what those people are looking for – and I am delighted to see that What Car? judges think so too. We are delighted with this award.”

Available with a choice of three frugal, ultra-low emissions, Euro 5-ready engines: 69 bhp 1.2-litre and 100 bhp 1.4-litre petrol, or 75 bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel, the new Fiat 500 can be ordered in three different trim levels – Pop, Sport and Lounge.

With a starting price of just £8,100, the new Fiat 500 represents outstanding value for money and positions the car well below its benchmark rivals. At the top end of the range, a highly specified version with a larger engine costs only £10,900 – a price that includes air conditioning and alloy wheels as standard.