The Fiat 500 is definitely a car for people who want to have a lot of fun behind the wheel, but also look good in the process. It’s small, nippy and full of life, and the new TwinAir version is also incredibly frugal. What you get is a pocket rocket that thrives on attention and doesn’t drink fuel like it’s going out of fashion.

It’s actually quite a novel concept that works very well, so it should come as no surprise to find the TwinAir’s punchy power plant won four awards in the 2011 International Engine of the Year competition, including Best New Engine and Best Fuel Economy.

Yes, while you get the same gorgeous designs that adorn the new generation of Fiat 500s , with the addition of beefier alloy wheels, sporty spoilers and a decent amount of chrome, the real magic is under the hood. Armed with a 2 cylinder 875cc engine, it produces 85 horsepower, and crucially 95g of carbon dioxide per kilometre. It might not be on the same level as, say, the Abarth in terms of speed, but it certainly is in sheer enjoyment.

There are several different versions of the TwinAir to choose from, so really you can be as lavish or as restrained as you want on the budget front. The regular ‘Pop’ spec is exceptional value for money, and the ‘Lounge’ features some nice upgrades. But for those people who want to push the boat out, the Gucci Black or White models are the ones to go for. The Fiat is also available as a convertible, in a myriad of different colours.

In the end, just think of the Fiat 500 TwinAir as a car that gives you more for less. All the hallmarks that make it a hugely popular car are there, but thanks to the super economical engine it doesn’t cost that much to keep on the road. Italian panache without the high prices- what’s not to like about that?