Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/627675
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 JANUARY 2016 IV Motoring Fiat confirms frugal diesel for new 500 DIESEL power is set for a reunion with the new Fiat 500, following confirmation that the facelifted 2016 model will get the latest 1.3 MultiJet II 94bhp engine. The Italian firm says the unit is spe- cially designed for small cars like the 500 and the Panda, which is the only other diesel city car on sale in the UK. It produces peak torque of 148lb/ft from just 1,500rpm, but musters 85% of that from an amazingly low 1,250rpm thanks to a small, low-inertia turbo- charger that spins up to speed sooner than larger equivalents. The 500 diesel will race up to a top speed of 112mph, bypassing 62mph in 10.7 seconds, but of likely greater im- portance to buyers will be the claimed fuel economy of 83.1mpg, with corre- sponding emissions of 89g/km. It won't come cheap, though, with starting prices for a diesel 500 nudging past €18,600, while the semi-converti- ble 500C adds a further €3,500. Fiat no longer in control of Ferrari FIAT Chrysler group has finally relin- quished direct control of Ferrari, a company it bought back in 1969. The group sold off its 80% stake in the iconic Italian brand recently. This has allowed Ferrari shares to be traded on the Italian stock exchange, something that has been in the planning for over a year. However, before any billionaire hatches a cunning plan to buy up shares and control Ferrari, it should be pointed out that the powerful Agnelli family who founded Fiat remains the largest shareholder, while Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo, holds 24% of the stock. Together they hold just under half of all the shares. They've also signed an agreement which means that if they want to sell shares they have to offer the other first refusal. Shares actually dropped 5 per cent on their first days of trading on the stock exchange in Milan, and are still below the price set for their Initial Public Offering (IPO).