Fiat 500 gets new Start&Stop system

The Fiat 500 will get a new option for higher gas mileage called Start&Stop, a system that stops the engine when the car is stopped completely and instantly restarts it when the driver wants to accelerate again. Similar systems are being pursued or used by other manufacturers; Chrysler has announced it for future plans. 

The Fiat 500 Start&Stop has the highest mileage of any gas-engined 500, and starts at US$14,000 (£9,500). Gas mileage rises in the urban cycle from 6.4 liters/100 km to 5.7 (from 37 to 41 US mpg, or from 44 to 50 UK mpg). Highway mileage is unchanged. 

Start&Stop is based on a battery and starter able to perform a fast engine restart and to deal with a far higher number of starts than a standard system. Sensors and control strategies manage operations, to guarantee safety, driveability and energy balance with a minimum impact on heating and other services. 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.

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’s 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. The cheapest fiat 500 is $11,936 in the U.K. and comes with a 1.2 liter petrol engine.