Fiat 500 TwinAir Engines

[StevenRugg]

Hi, at the weekend I test drove two Fiat 500s; both equipped with 0.9 TwinAir engines, but one the 85hp and the other the 105hp variety.

Overall liked both and found the 105hp to not really be worth the extra cost, and in stop start traffic couldn't appreciate the extra power anyway. So the 85hp seems like the one to go for, except it was appreciably more noisy (in a bad rattly kind of way). The 105hp one however was much smoother sounding and overall quieter.

Does this match anyone else's experience, and/or can anyone shed some light on why this might be? The only other possible difference of note was that the 85hp one was a 2012 model and the other 2014. Was there improved sound deadening or some other refinements made on later year models?

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[BristolRich]

Whilst performance is adequate (with ECO off) the TA85 bhp is noted for being noisy with comments made about harshness when pootling about at residential speeds and engine noise and vibration becoming tiresome at speed/ distance.