Fiat 500 1.2 ECO is a more frugal 500 – price from £11,865

The Fiat 500 1.2 ECO has launched in the UK, offering improved economy and emissions with no loss of performance. Costs from £11,865.

It was only last summer that the facelift for the Fiat 500 was revealed, but Fiat are already feeling the need to add more models and this – the Fiat 500 1.2 ECO – is Fiat’s effort at wringing better economy out of the 500 without any performance penalty.

Fiat has thrown plenty of ‘green’ technologies at the 500 ECO, with a smart alternator, low rolling resistance tyres and stop start all helping to push the emissions of the 500 down to 99g/km (which means no VED and lower BIK) and improving economy to 65.7mpg.

But despite adding the green technologies to make the 500 more frugal, Fiat are adamant the changes have had no impact on performance, so although you won’t win the traffic light grand prix, you’ll still be able to get to 62mph in 12.9 seconds and on to 99mph.

The ‘ECO’ is really an engine spec rather than a model designation, so you can opt for the more frugal ECO setup in either Pop Star or Lounge spec, with prices for the Pop Start ECO starting at £11,865. You can also have the ECO setup in the 500C convertible, but Pop Star trim with the ECO setup will then cost you a quite hefty £14,515.

The Fiat 500 1.2 ECO is now on sale at Fiat’s UK dealers.