Search Powered ByAsk.com
on
News

News

April 1, 2008

Austro-nought

It was never going to take long for the tuning brigade to get their hands on the Fiat 500, so it's no surprise that the entrepreneurial gents at Austria's Oberscheider Chip Tuning (OCT) have given the little Cinq the full spanners 'n' carbon fibre treatment.

What is perhaps more surprising is that they chose to tune up the diesel 500 instead of the petrol. It's a fairly modest overhaul, in truth - power is up from 75bhp to a useful 90bhp, with torque up by 26lb ft to 133lb ft.

That means the oil-burning 500 will now hit 60 in a very respectable 9.9 seconds, and although there's no word on top speed, we'd expect it to top the 99mph of its untuned cousin.

None of which excuses those black powder wheels. Fine on an Exige or a Clio Cup, not so good on a 500. There's only one word in 500 modification, and it starts with 'A' and ends with 'barth'. You've been warned, fly-by-night Euro-tuners.

CLICK TO ENLARGE
  • OCT Fiat 500
  • OCT Fiat 500

Advertiser links

Advertisment
Car Reviews

Car Reviews

Search road tests
Search now
Buyer's Guide
BUYING, RUNNING, SELLING

You need cash to buy a motor - our guide to finance will help




Buying a personalised plate? Check out our buyer's guide



Subscriptions
Subscribe to Top Gear, get a free TG Interactive Challenge DVD

Top Gear Interactive Challenge
Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter and keep up to speed with Top Gear

Newsletter
Fast-track your motoring career with the help of Top Gear

Top Gear Careers
Get the Top Gear road test verdict on your next car - only £3

Road Test Reprints
The Top Gear word mark and logo are trade marks of the BBC and are used under licence
Subscribe