(Wed 10 Feb 10)

Fiat is replacing the 1.3-litre MultiJet turbo diesel engine in the 500 for another one. That might not sound particularly important, but the new unit, which has a variable geometry turbocharger, is 20bhp more powerful than its predecessor, with a maximum output of 95bhp, and of course that leads to considerable performance improvements.

The top speed, for example, is up from 103mph to 112mph, while the 0-62mph acceleration time has been cut from 12.5 seconds to 10.7 seconds. However, the CO2 emissions have also improved to 104g/km, and although this doesn't put the 500 diesel into a new VED band (you would still pay £20 a year, starting in April) there are possible savings from the improved combined fuel economy of 72.4mpg. Take advantage of the extra performance and you will still use more fuel than you would have done in the older diesel, though.

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