07 Mar 08
Most eyes are on the 500 Abarth at Fiat's stand in Geneva, but there is another interesting iteration of Fiat's new city car on display.
The 500 Aria is an eco-friendly concept showcasing some of the new technologies making their way to production Fiats in the not-too-distant future.
The Aria's 1.3-litre 16v Multijet diesel engine with particulate filter has been updated to meet the Euro 5 emissions criteria, and it works with the Dualogic clutchless manual gearbox.
Fuel consumption is cut by up to 10% in city driving thanks to a stop-start system that turns the engine off when idling and then automatically re-starts when you pull away. Carbon dioxide emissions are 98g/km - a tax- and congestion charge-exempt rating in the UK. Reduced weight, low rolling-resistance tyres and efficient auxiliary functions all help towards reducing energy consumption as well.
Inside, the Aria features recycled materials: a floor made from old tyres, seats from recycled and re-woven leather, and other recycled and organic fabrics. While some of these materials might not make it into production Fiats of the future, the stop-start system's a dead cert.
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
