General What engine should i get. TA or 1.2

[Boodajuda]

Did you make a decision in the end? For me the MTA (duologic) box in my A500c SS is brilliant. Much better than the notchy manual and whether its in the city in auto, or flappy paddle b-road blast, a manual doesn't come close.

You'll need a week to master the box. Don't listen to the haters, they spread their opinion on every Dualogic thread by the looks of it and don't know what they are on about. Go try it for yourself.

 

[306maxi]

That's your personal opinion, don't listen to the lovers, mta/dualogic is crap IMHO

 

[Aussie500nut]

Did you make a decision in the end? For me the MTA (duologic) box in my A500c SS is brilliant. Much better than the notchy manual and whether its in the city in auto, or flappy paddle b-road blast, a manual doesn't come close.

That's your personal opinion, don't listen to the lovers, mta/dualogic is crap IMHO

Can't help but laugh
This really makes it easy for the OP who originally asked for advice on making decision between the TA and a 1.2
As the saying goes " It is a fool who doesn't listen to advice and a bigger fool who takes everyone's advice"
But he or she is looking for advice on engines

You'll need a week to master the box. Don't listen to the haters, they spread their opinion on every Dualogic thread by the looks of it and don't know what they are on about. Go try it for yourself.

As said by many, try it out and see what works for you
Then which ever way you go, Dualogic or manual you will be able to get into the "Dualogic love or hate " discussions

Did you make a decision in the end?

Interested to know ? What did you get ?

 

[The Pretender]

So if i drive the 1.2 hard what sort of mpg compaired to the TA driven in eco mode.

Does the 1.2 even have eco mode. ???

 

[jrkitching]

Does the 1.2 even have eco mode. ???

The 1.2 operates in permanent eco mode .

It's all been said before, many times, but the way to make the choice is to drive them both & buy the one which best suits your driving style.

If you are thinking about driving a 1.2 hard most of the time, you'd do better to buy a TA. If you are going to drive a TA everywhere in eco mode, you'd be better off buying a 1.2.

In money terms, the difference in economy between the two cars isn't that great when compared to the purchase price & other costs. If you need to worry about it at the 'can I afford it' level, you might want to reconsider a 500.

You'd save far, far more by buying a Panda.

 

[The Pretender]

Hello i need a bit of advise. placed a order for a 2013 fiat 500s with a dualogic box. i have picked a 1.2 version but unsure if i should bite the bulit and pay the extra for the twinair version.
I know the mpg figures that fiat list are not even worth looking at and beeter to ask people who drive the cars.
Is the twinair going to get any better mpg than the 1.2
If both engines match the mpg or if the twinair is not going to be less. Am i better buying the twinair for when i just want to floor it everywhere.

your advise will be great.

I have a 2011 Panda 169 1.2 tuned up to 79 hp (Crank) if i drive that hard over a distance of ± 390 Km (speeds between 130 and 175 Km/h) i get on 1ltr 15.6 Km far.

 

[JTD_Liam]

Well thanks guys for all the input. Went back to fiat today and had a few test drives. And changed my mind a few times about colour.
Drum roll......... I have now changed my car to this.
Fiat 500s
Pasodoble red
16 inch wheels in style 5a6
Hi fi system with subwoofer under seat
Front fog lights
Dualogic gearbox
Twinair


Dose anyone have a good image of the dualogic controls on steering wheel. As i can't find one. As i may add this option.

Sounds like a good choice, minus the Dualogic. I don't have experience of the box so not gonna pretend I do, but I would be concerned that because the TwinAir engine is so fussy with being in the right gear for the speed, the Dualogic might end up dropping you into a gear at a speed that just makes the car vibrate like hell. I occasionally do it in my Parents manual car because the TA engine hates things like 5th at below 50mph, 4th at below 35mph and other combinations where every other car I've driven just gets on with it.

Not saying it's a bad box as the numbers sold across Fiats range suggest its really not, but I can't help but think the TwinAir engine is a bit wasted with a Dualogic unless you plan to leave it in manual mode.

Did you make a decision in the end? For me the MTA (duologic) box in my A500c SS is brilliant. Much better than the notchy manual and whether its in the city in auto, or flappy paddle b-road blast, a manual doesn't come close.

You'll need a week to master the box. Don't listen to the haters, they spread their opinion on every Dualogic thread by the looks of it and don't know what they are on about. Go try it for yourself.

In the Abarth I would guess it's a different beast. The engine is stronger and probably tolerates less than perfect gear selections more than the fussy TwinAir.

I'm not one of the haters, I've not used Dualogic so I can't say I hate it, but I have used the TwinAir extensively and know how much of a strop it gets into if you select the wrong gear. If Dualogic shifts in time with the Gear Shift Indicator, you'll shake the engine off its mountings.

And I dunno if you mean the manual Abarth gearbox, which may be notchy, but the manual gearbox in the regular 500 is a very nice box to use.

 

[corsasri]

I would have thought the duelogic box should know what gear it needs to use. Us the shift up and down mesage must come from a ecu. I did ask a few drivers who have the ta with dualogic box. And they said it just works. I went for the dualogic because I could not be bothered to mess with clutch control as most my driving is in town so loads of stop start.
And I'm sure if it was a problem fiat would not give you the option to fit it to the TA. As you cant fit the dualogic to the Diesel engine.

 

[bgunn]

I occasionally do it in my Parents manual car because the TA engine hates things like 5th at below 50mph, 4th at below 35mph and other combinations where every other car I've driven just gets on with it.

My TA must have a completely different tune then, or it's driven in a different manner. Entirely happy at 40 in top, and definitely happy in fourth at 35mph.

I suspect you're mistaking it "not being happy" with "It's a twin and therefore there's less firing impulses so you tend to feel them more". Mine pulls appreciably hard in top from 40 unless you're on the steepest of hills. It vibrates a little when you mash the pedal because it's gobbling in cylinders full of air as the valve lift and duration is opened right up (as you're demanding more torque). Ride the torque in a gentle/controlled manner and it's very refined for what it is.

In short, when you learn it, it's a *very* clever engine.

And yes, the gearchange on the 500 is a delight. Perfectly placed, light, not notchy at all. I can imagine the dualogic with paddles would have a certain appeal, though.

 

[JTD_Liam]

I would have thought the duelogic box should know what gear it needs to use. Us the shift up and down mesage must come from a ecu. I did ask a few drivers who have the ta with dualogic box. And they said it just works. I went for the dualogic because I could not be bothered to mess with clutch control as most my driving is in town so loads of stop start.
And I'm sure if it was a problem fiat would not give you the option to fit it to the TA. As you cant fit the dualogic to the Diesel engine.

Fair enough reason for getting one. Hopefully it'll be fine. I wouldn't bother with it myself.

My TA must have a completely different tune then, or it's driven in a different manner. Entirely happy at 40 in top, and definitely happy in fourth at 35mph.

I suspect you're mistaking it "not being happy" with "It's a twin and therefore there's less firing impulses so you tend to feel them more". Mine pulls appreciably hard in top from 40 unless you're on the steepest of hills. It vibrates a little when you mash the pedal because it's gobbling in cylinders full of air as the valve lift and duration is opened right up (as you're demanding more torque). Ride the torque in a gentle/controlled manner and it's very refined for what it is.

In short, when you learn it, it's a *very* clever engine.

And yes, the gearchange on the 500 is a delight. Perfectly placed, light, not notchy at all. I can imagine the dualogic with paddles would have a certain appeal, though.

Probably am mistaking it, but it doesn't feel nice at all, and certainly not fun when combined with bumpy roads and a suspension system that does little to hide them, so I tend to hang onto gears until it becomes more pleasurable!

 

[Aussie500nut]

My TA must have a completely different tune then, or it's driven in a different manner. Entirely happy at 40 in top, and definitely happy in fourth at 35mph.

In short, when you learn it, it's a *very* clever engine.

I can imagine the dualogic with paddles would have a certain appeal, though.

Totally Agree
After reading the above post, next time out in the 500, today, took particular note of speeds, gears etc
We have the Dualogic, and run it almost full time in "auto" and use the paddles to over-ride when needed, or more realistically for a bit of "fun"
So that means when just putting along (appropriate description for the TA) at the suburban speed limit of 60kph (37.5mph) the Dualogic box selects 5th gear and the engine is running at 1500rpm and is quite "happy" at this speed. Although this only happens on level ground as if there is any gradient it stays in 4th.
At first is seemed like it was struggling but as bgunn said, it is just the sound of the TA.
On the other hand, it would be programmed to stay in 4th gear at that speed if it was detrimental to the engine/gearbox.
Naturally there is no acceleration at this speed in 5th, so if I want to accelerate I just paddle back to 4th or even 3rd to hear that great 2 cylinder sound.

I can imagine the dualogic with paddles would have a certain appeal, though.

As already mentioned, you can see that I like the paddles - so does the wife - for me, the paddles and the Dualogic MAKE the 500 what it is.
Can't imagine having a 500 without them
Of course, all this is IMHO

 

[arorat]

Well thanks guys for all the input. Went back to fiat today and had a few test drives. And changed my mind a few times about colour.
Drum roll......... I have now changed my car to this.
Fiat 500s
Pasodoble red
16 inch wheels in style 5a6
Hi fi system with subwoofer under seat
Front fog lights
Dualogic gearbox
Twinair


Dose anyone have a good image of the dualogic controls on steering wheel. As i can't find one. As i may add this option.

Great choice, if not too late get these too;
-dimming mirror
-parking
-HIDs - a bit expensive but worth it
-port for tomtom - Option 68R

and the Armster armrest, from RUI if he still sells them or online.

 

[Melanabb]

I have Grande Punto Abarth (manual) and I can tell you - the gearbox is notchy, not sure about A500 though...