A new option on the Fiat 500, which will give the popular city car even better fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures, has just been introduced.

Called Fiat 500 Start&Stop, the new technology is based on the most successful 500 version – the 1.2 Lounge – and benefits from the combined expertise of automotive parts specialist Bosch and Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

The Start&Stop system stops the engine automatically (without the driver turning an ignition key) whenever traffic conditions bring the car to a complete halt, and restarts it when the driver wants to move off again.

Available at £9,500 OTR, the 500 Start&Stop becomes the most ecological version in the Fiat 500 petrol range. With Start&Stop, CO2 emissions on the 1.2 engine are just 113 g/km, while fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 12 per cent (urban fuel economy figures).

The Fiat 500 Start&Stop fuel consumption figures are:

START&STOP 1.2 69 bhp

LOUNGE 1.2 69 bhp
Fuel Consumption
urban cycle mpg (l/100km)
49.6 (5.7)
44.1 (6.4)
extra-urban cycle mpg (l/100km)
65.7 (4.3)
65.7 (4.3)
combined cycle mpg (l/100km)
58.9 (4.8)
55.4 (5.1)
CO2 Emissions (g/km)
113
119

Fiat's Blue&Me hands-free telecommunications and entertainment system is standard on 500 Start&Stop, which means the car also benefits from eco:Drive, the system that allows customers to monitor and improve on their CO2 emissions and fuel consumption figures.

Fiat 500 Start&Stop

"We have been promising new ideas and features on our award-winning Fiat 500 since it was launched last year, and here is yet another example," says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. "This is an important development for the 500 as it will help to make what is already a fuel-efficient, value-for-money car an even greater consideration for town and city drivers."

The Fiat 500 range starts at £8,100 for the 1.2 Pop, rising to £10,900 for 1.3 MultiJet or 1.4-litre Lounge or Sport versions.