Fiat has operated styling and technological changes for the 2014 model year of the 500 city car, with the most important additions being a new engine and the top-of-the-range Cult version.

The most powerful variant of the two-cylinder 0.9-liter TwinAir turbocharged petrol engine, producing 105PS (104hp), is available from now on in the Fiat 500. Equipped with this engine, the city car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10 seconds and reaches a top speed of 188 km/h (117 mph). Combined fuel consumption is 4.2 l/100 km (56 mpg US), with CO2 emissions rated at 99 g/km.

Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the new 105PS TwinAir engine is the most powerful engine in the 500 lineup, adding to the 95PS 1.3 MultiJet II, 69PS 1.2, 85PS 0.9 TwinAir Turbo and 69PS 1.2 dual-fuel.

The Fiat 500 also gets a new trim level for the 2014 model year, the Cult. Available in saloon or cabrio configurations, the top-of-the-range Fiat 500 Cult features a roof with one part fixed glass and the other glossy black paintwork.

Door mirror covers are either chrome or glossy black, while the characteristic front ‘whiskers’ and tailgate handle, in addition to the glossy black surround for the rear light clusters and the new 16-inch alloy wheels feature a chrome finish. On the inside, the highlights are the new leather seats (available in black, tobacco or red leather) and the dashboard painted the same color as the body.

Standard equipment includes an instrument panel with 7-inch TFT display, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, fixed glass roof with sun blind, leather seats, leather steering wheel with Blue&MeTM controls and Dualdrive electric power steering.

Besides the Fiat 500 Cult, the rest of the lineup gets three new body colors (Lattementa Green, Three-layer White and Italia Blue), three new alloy wheels (15- or 16-inch) and new interiors in fabric or leather, with specific combinations for each version. There’s also a new instrument panel with 7-inch TFT display developed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli.

The entire Fiat 500 MY 2014 range will be in showrooms starting from the second quarter of 2014. The world premiere of the updated models will take place at the Geneva Motor Show.

By Dan Mihalascu

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