Fiat offers New 500 Start&Stop to Europe

FIAT 500 Start&Stop

SLOUGH, UK : February 6, 2009 - Fiat is now selling in Europe a Fiat 500 model equipped with a start-stop system from Bosch.


Called Fiat 500 Start&Stop, the new technology is based on the most successful 500 version—the 1.2 Lounge. 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.

With Start&Stop, CO2 emissions on the 1.2 engine are 113 g/km, while fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 11%.

Several sensors and control strategies are employed to manage stop and restart operations, to guarantee safety, driveability and energy balance of the car with a minimum impact on heating and other services in the car.

Engine stop is only allowed once a speed of 6 mph has been achieved after pulling away. To restart the engine the clutch pedal must be depressed. The Start&Stop system can be manually activated or deactivated using a button switch.

Start&Stop will not activate in certain cases, including engine still cold, battery in low charge state, heated rear window active, front wiper at maximum speed or reverse gear engaged (in a parking manoeuvre).

If the engine has been stopped and the clutch pedal has not been depressed for more than three minutes, the engine can only be restarted using the ignition key. Similarly, if the engine has been stopped and the driver’s seat belt has been unfastened, or a door has been opened, engine restart will only be achieved with the key.

Fiat 500 Start&Stop fuel consumption figures

Fiat 500 Fuel Consumption
	Start&Stop	Lounge
	1.2 69 bhp	1.2 69 bhp
Urban cycle L/100km (mpg US)	5.7 (41.3)	6.4 (36.7)
Highway L/100km (mpg US)	4.3 (54.7)	4.3 (54.7)
Combined L/100km (mpg US)	4.8 (49)	5.1 (46)
CO2 g/km	113	119

[Source : FIAT, Green Car Congress]