It sounds like a recipe...
It sounds like a recipe for disaster – driverless vehicles racing round an urban environment with other traffic on the road. And normally it would be if it wasn’t for the fact the unmanned cars had been developed by some of the world’s leading scientists and fitted with state-of-the art technology to prevent them crashing into anything.
While there have been...
While there have been attempts to bring two-cylinder motors into production - such as the French Aixam range - the 500 will be the only twin to be offered as a mainstream model
The last big-selling car to use a two-cylinder was the legendary Citroen 2CV. Set to go on sale next year, the new 500 will focus on efficiency - its 0.9-litre turbo will develop between 90bhp and 110bhp.
The hi-tech engine is said to be 20 per cent more economical than the average 1.2-litre city car, so dri÷vers can expect to see more than 60mpg on the com÷bined cycle. And with around 120Nm of torque, its performance should be good, too. The new Ford Ka, which uses the 500"s platform, is also likely to share the two-cylinder unit.
While there have been attempts to bring two-cylinder motors into production - such as the French Aixam range - the 500 will be the only twin to be offered as a mainstream model, be÷cause achieving an acceptable standard of refinement is a major challenge. More powerful versions of the 500 will also be offered, using Fiat"s freshly developed 1.4-litre turbo÷charged petrol motor, which can deliver up to 150bhp. Mean÷while, the Italian brand"s engine experts have also built a new high-performance 1.8 turbodiesel which will be offered in the new Bravo.
Other plans emerging from Fiat"s secret files include news of a groundbreaking Crossover 4x4, due in 2009.