Can you imagine 265 horsepower and 348Nm of torque in a small Fiat 500? Hamann has managed to do it, but unfortunately the base car is the 500 Abarth so you won’t be able to apply this kit to the 500 sold here in Malaysia.

But I suppose it’s nice for the larger Bravo GT’s owners knowing that the 1.4 liter T-JET engine is capable of such power outputs. The 265 horses is achieved at 5,630rpm while you will have to wait longer for the massive torque as it is only achieved at 4,200rpm.

This Hamann 500 (which they’ve called the Hamann Largo) is going to be one scary car indeed – that amount of power and torque in such a small car beats both the Cooper S and Cooper JCW flat. But er, if it were up to me, I’m gonna go for the power upgrade, the brakes, and skip the bodykit.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat has decided to rename the Grande Punto with its mid-life facelift. It is now known as the Fiat Punto Evo (no relation to Mitsubishi) and it will be making its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The chassis and wheelbase remains the same but the new bodykit makes the car longer, though width and height remains the same as the outgoing Grande Punto.

Portable Tom-Tom device functions as the car’s infotainment controller when mounted in the car

Under the hood is either a 1.4 liter MultiAir petrol or a 1.3 liter MultiJet diesel but Fiat seems to be shouting the loudest about the latest version of its Blue&Me which debuts in the Punto Evo. The new system is called Blue&Me – TomTom and it is a fully integrated infotainment system that lets you manage telephony, GPS navi and other information functions on a touch-screen LCD.

Thanks to working together with car systems provider Magneti Marelli for tighter integration with the car, the display will also display information fed from Fiat’s Eco:Drive Info system for real-time information on driving style and suggestions for reducing fuel consumption by changing gears and accelerating to suit the nature of the GPS navigation route.

Look after the jump for more pix of the new Punto Evo.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Italian-based Fiat recently launched the 500C at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The 500C is not a full convertible variant of the famous micro-car, instead it is a topless model that comes with an electric sliding roof.

The cute little Fiat 500C is offered with three engine options, including a 75HP 1.3 liter MultiJet Turbodiesel mated to a 5-speed manual, as well as a 69HP 1.2 liter and a 100HP 1.4 liter powerplant from the petrol family. It also comes with a Start & Stop engine shut down system.

On that note, Fiat has released a 5 minute 27 second-long driving footage of the 500C. Continue reading to watch the 500C being driven on some gorgeous European routes.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Well, the conditions for Fiat to take up a stake with the now bankrupt Chrysler has been fulfilled, and Fiat has been quick to look to something else in order to hasten the move towards consolidation of the auto companies during this recession.

Many have predicted that there will only be a few automakers left after this slump, with the rest either eliminated or merged. Datuk Syed Zainal’s suggestion for Proton to merge with Perodua a couple of weeks back would put Proton under the Toyota umbrella via Perodua’s Daihatsu shareholding, which is in turn owned by Toyota.

Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Vauxhall and Opel could share B and C platforms

Anyway back to Fiat and the New Chrysler – a third piece of the puzzle that Fiat is said to be interested in acquiring is GM Europe, which covers Opel, Vauxhall, and other GM European operations. The resulting company would be a giant with annual sales of 6 to 7 million cars, which is claimed to be similiar to how much the Volkswagen Group puts out. Saab is pretty much a separate thing, and at least 10 parties are interested in acquiring them at the moment, according to Saab spokersman Eric Geers.

The new company is temporarily given the codename Fiat/Opel and is described by Fiat head Sergio Marchionne to be a “marriage made in heaven” as Fiat and Opel could consolidate their B and C segment cars to use the same platforms, while Fiat continued with its small A-segment platform and Opel’s D-segment platform. Apparently Fiat offered 1 billion Euros for Opel, but GM considers the amount too small for the moment. No updates if any other follow-up offers were made.

Volkswagen’s platform-sharing success is an inspiration to all

But of course whenever there’s any news to do with GM you have to listen to what their unions have to say. Opel senior labor leader Klaus Franz says if the Fiat and GM Europe merger does happen, between 9k to 10k jobs may be lost via factory closures and other restructuring. He then accused Marchionne of trying to build a global carmaker financed with German and American taxpayer money.

Volkswagen’s CEO Martin Winterkorn also warned that achieving and maintaining real synergies between multiple brands while increasing volumes and lowering costs is a very difficult thing to do. He added that Volkswagen’s platform-sharing strategy started all the way back in 1992 and it was alot of hard work and planning for it to be the success that it is today.

And Fiat and GM have already been in some sort of alliance from the year 2000 to 2005, which ended in GM paying over US$2 billion to get out of the arrangement because it was not going very well. At that time Fiat was burning cash at a rate of nearly US$2 billion a year, accumulating $14 billion in net losses during the 5 year period. It was the time of the Fiat Stilo which went nowhere, and a Fiat Punto that shared components with an Opel Corsa.

Whatever happens, it’s really one thing to build a huge empire that could be the second largest carmaker in the world and perhaps the largest in the future, but another to structure and manage it properly once formed. Just look at GM and its mess of brands. You could end up flourishing like the Volkswagen Group or just another GM or DaimlerChrysler.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

A 2nd variant of the Bravo GT has been unveiled for the Malaysian market. Yes, we’re talking about the Fiat Bravo GT, not the other Bravo GT back from the 1990s.

This version comes with an automated manual version of the 6-speed gearbox called the Duologic gearbox instead of a proper slushbox, which means its a regular manual but with a robotised clutch to do all the shifting for you. For this, the Bravo GT manual’s RM 135,000 OTR without insurance price tag gets bumped up to RM 145,000.

The original Bravo GT manual (with 150 PS at 5,500rpm and 206Nm of torque at 2,250rpm) used to look attractive before the 308 Turbo came about, now it actually feels a little pricey considering another European turbocharged C-segment hatch is only pegged at RM 111,000 (though its CBU versus CKD), though this is expected to increase in price soon slightly, but will come with an upgraded equipment level as well.

Each has its own charms of course, but I say, it would be terrific if that extra equipment that’s coming with the 308 Turbo is the glass roof from the 308 GT as it does wonders to the cabin ambiance. Read our very short first impressions of the Bravo GT 1.4 T-JET manual from 2007 in the related link listed below.

Related Posts:
Fiat Bravo GT 1.4 T-JET 150hp Short Test Drive

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Italian-based auto maker, Fiat which is being linked with BMW to co-develop platforms for small sized vehicles has released the Fiat Grande Punto X-Factor, specially for the Dutch market. And, yes, as the name suggests, its a special model inspired by the hit reality TV show, X-Factor.

X-Factor, as many of you would know is a U.K-based singing contest which has helped bring people like Leona Lewis into the music scene. She is also the voice behind the “A Moment Like This” hit number. Anyway, enough of Leona Lewis and back to the Punto Grande.

With a price tag of 14,595 Euros, the Fiat Grande Punto X-Factor comes with a number of features such as a CD/MP3 radio with 6 speakers and control commands on the steering wheel, air conditioning, alarm with remote control, seat covers with special “Sport” padding, 16 inch alloy whees, rear spoiler and fog lamps. Buyers of this model will also receive free tickets to attend the X-Factor TV show. Imagine a Proton Saga One In A Million.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Words are being exchanged that Italian-based Fiat and German-based BMW are working together to develop new platforms for small sized vehicles. With this, people in the industry are indicating that BMW is planing to revive the Isetta name, while Fiat would add another super mini along side its famous 500, the new Topolino, and that both these “upcoming” cars will share the same underpinnings.

Apparently, both cars will feature rear-mounted small displacement engines, 4 seats and light weight construction with the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for the chassis and possibly even plastic bodywork. Both cars are also expected to carry premium price tags. There is also word that both auto makers might add electric versions.

If there is truth under the speculation, expect to see a concept version by BMW under the MINI brand in Frankfurt later this year. Sources also revealed that production versions of these city cars can be expected by 2011. Lets just keep things as speculation for now, and play the waiting game.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat has revealed a new engine technology called the MultiAir technology which significantly reduces emissions, while improving fuel economy and power delivery. This rather complicated electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation technology is implemented to the intake system. A piston is connected to the intake valve via a hydraulic chamber, which is controlled by a solenoid valve. The movement of this piston is controlled by a mechanical intake camshaft.

When the solenoid valve is closed, the oil in the hydraulic chamber behaves like a solid body and transmits the lift schedule to the intake valves. The lift schedule is imposed by the mechanical intake camshaft. When the solenoid valve is open on the other hand, the hydraulic chamber and the intake valves are de-coupled; the intake valves do not follow the intake camshaft anymore and close under the valve spring action.

The final part of the valve closing stroke is controlled by a dedicated hydraulic brake, to ensure a soft and regular landing phase in any engine operating conditions. Through solenoid valve opening and closing time control, a wide range of optimum intake valve opening schedules can be easily obtained. Continue reading to view more images and to watch a video.

To help improve power, the solenoid valve is always closed and full valve opening is achieved following completely the mechanical camshaft, which is specifically designed to maximize power at high engine speed (long opening time). For low rpm torque, the solenoid valve is opened near the end of the camshaft profile, leading to early intake valve closing. This eliminates unwanted backflow into the manifold and maximizes the air mass trapped in the cylinders.

In engine part-load, the solenoid valve is opened earlier, causing partial valve openings to control the trapped air mass as a function of the required torque. Alternatively the intake valves can be partially opened by closing the solenoid valve once the mechanical camshaft action has already started. In this case the air stream into the cylinder is faster and results in higher in-cylinder turbulence.

The last two actuation modes can be combined in the same intake stroke, generating a so-called Multilift mode that enhances turbulence and combustion rate at very low loads. To help you understand this very complicated system, there is a video to assist you. Overall, benefits include; 10% increase in power, 15% improvement in low rpm torque, 10% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions output for naturally aspirated engines, 25% improvement in fuel efficiency for turbocharged engines and between 40% – 60% reduction in emissions output during cold starts and warm up.

This new technology can also be adapted to all types of internal combustion engines including diesel. Fiat will first offer the MultiAir technology with the 16-valve 1.4 liter engine family, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. The first vehicle to carry the system would be the Alfa Romeo MiTo by end of this year.

VIDEO: Fiat Multi-Air

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Chrysler has unveiled their business restructuring plan for submission to the US government in order to quality for the rest of their bailout money. The total money asked for us now US$9 billion, up US$2 billion from the original US$7 billion amount, of which they have already received US$4 billion. Anyway that is not the point, what we’re here to look at is how they plan to integrate Fiat models into their product line-up.

Chrysler will be grabbing 9 models for the US market together with Fiat’s Multi-Air engines (FIRE and FAMB), commonrail turbodiesel engine technology and a dual clutch transmission. Chrysler will be able to supply Fiat with the Dodge Journey, the GEMA world engine with displacements between 1.8 liters to 2.4 liters, and the Phoenix family 3.6 liter V6 engine. The 9 Fiat models include models that will be sold as their original brands which are the Fiat 500, the Alfa Romeo Mito, the Fiat Punto, the Alfa Milano and Giulia (149 and C-EVO based 159 replacement), and an unnamed Alfa crossover.

The other three will use Fiat underpinings but will be Chrysler-branded vehicles: a B-segment 5-door hatchback, a sedan based on the 159’s C-EVO platform, and a larger vehicle based on the D-EVO platform.

Of course whether this will all happen or not depends on whether Chrysler gets the bailout money. Fiat will only confirm its on board with a share take-up (for free!) if that happens.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat will be showing the new Fiat 500C at the Geneva Motorshow next month but has released this preview of its now topless cute little number ahead of the show. Unlike the MINI Convertible which is a full-blown cabriolet, the Fiat 500C instead uses a sliding soft top design, which means only the canvas roof slides down, while other roof structures such as the top rail and B and C pillars remain.

This ensures the 500C retains all-round protection even with the top down. Unfortunately from the shot above it looks like rear visibility for the 500C is pretty bad when the top is down as the folded roof is in the way, but there is a rear glass window for when the roof is up.

The Fiat 500C has the exact same dimensions as the base model – 3550mm x 1650mm x 1490 mm and uses the same trio of powerplants. First up is a 1.3 litre 75 hp MultiJet Turbodiesel mated to a 5-speed manual while the petrol units are a 1.2 liter and a 1.4 liter with 69hp and 100hp respectively. The Fiat 500C also gets the recently announced Start & Stop system which shuts down the engine and reignites it automatically according to usage in slow speed traffic.

Look after the jump for a few more photos of the 500C.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat has replaced the diesel-powered Fiat Bravo 1.9 MultiJet with the new Fiat Bravo 2.0 MultiJet, which is equipped with a new more powerful greener engine that is compliant with Euro 5 standards, improved from the old engine’s Euro 4. With the help of a DPF (diesel particulate filter), the new Bravo diesel’s CO2 emissions are down from 149g/km to 139g/km. It is also more fuel efficient, rated at 53.2 mpg, up from 50.4mpg.

The new engine’s 2.0 liter displacement is thanks to a 1 inch increase in bore compared to the 1.9 liter model – 83 x 90.4 compared to 82 x 90.4. The commonrail direct injection engine’s compression ratio has been reduced from 17.5:1 to 16.5:1, but this has been presumably compensated with higher turbo boost pressure. The turbocharger used has variable geometry and is equipped with an intercooler.

Horsepower is up from 150 at 4,000rpm to 165 at 4,000rpm, while torque is up 55Nm from 305Nm at 2,000rpm, now rated at 360Nm at 1,750rpm. The increased power and torque contribute to a better 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds, which is 0.8 seconds faster than the outgoing model.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

After the marriage and the short “family planning” course, Fiat and Chrysler have unveiled details on their new American family. 7 new cars will make their way into the US market, four with Chrysler brands and three with either Fiat or Alfa Romeo badges.

The Chrysler-badged cars could stretch all the way from the A-segment up to the D-segment. Something based on the Fiat Panda/500 platform (also used by Ford to underpin their Ford Ka) would give Chrysler the city car they need. The B-segment will be served by the Grande Punto/Mito platform. A C-segment car will utilize Fiat’s C-Evo platform, which could replace the Dodge Caliber.

Finally, a D-segment car would use a stretched version of the mentioned C-Evo platform to replace the Chrysler Sebring and the Dodge Avenger. This apparently fits well into Chrysler’s vehicle roadmap according to Chrysler executive VP Frank Klegon, as Chrysler does not have an A or B-segment vehicle and their C-segment Dodge Caliber is due to be replaced soon.

The Fiat/Alfa Romeo branded cars are likely to be hits such as the Fiat 500, the Alfa Romeo MiTo, and a new vehicle based on the C-Evo platform for the C-segment which could end up being the Alfa Romeo “149″ (successor to the aging 147).

Chrysler will also get access to Fiat’s Fire T-JET small displacement engines (1.4L to 1.8L). If I’m not mistaken, Chrysler’s smallest engine family right now is the GEMA engine, something it gained from DaimlerChrysler times. The GEMA family ranges from 1.8 liters (4B10) to 2.4 liters (4B12), and Chrysler uses these (including a turbocharged 2.4 liter) in cars like the Dodge Caliber (photo shown above).

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat will also allow Chrysler access to its distribution network in areas that are key for growth, and you could probably assume Chrysler would be the way for Alfa Romeo to get back into the American market. The word is that the Italian company plans to increase this 35% up to 55% over time. Fiat will also assist Chrysler with the viability plan it needs to support to the U.S. Treasury. And apparently the 35% deal does not involve any money. In return for the platforms and management consultancy help with restructuring, 35% of Chrysler will be handed over to Fiat for free.

The other two Detroit companies already have suitable platforms and powertrains to enter the European (Eastern Europe in particular) and Asian markets. GM has Daewoo while Ford has always built decent cars for the European market in the first place. This announcement fills that missing piece in the puzzle of how Chrysler plans its turnaround. It already has existing deals with Nissan mainly for Latin America, and a failed partnership with Chinese automaker Chery, but nothing like this new Fiat deal.

The last time Fiat and Chrysler had alliance talks was in the early 1990s, but that did not go anywhere, and many blame that on disagreements between Lee Iacocca and Bob Lutz, who is now at GM. Then a Chrysler exec, Bob Lutz had likened Fiat to “a bride lying on her deathbed.” Well Mr Lutz, Fiat has turned itself around and both the company you used to work for and the company you are looking for are going around asking for multi-billion dollar bail-outs.

I wonder what happened to the supposed upcoming merger between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat, as reported by an Italian newspaper. Are we looking at a new PSA-Fiat-Chrysler trinity in the future?

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

An Italian newspaper reported on Saturday that PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat are considering a potential merger, which would make the new PSA Peugeot Citroen Fiat entity the world’s number 4 carmaker. If true, it is some pretty quick progress, coming right after Fiat’s CEO mentioned the Italian company needed to find a partner to survive the crisis brewing in the automotive industry, but such haste is needed in these times.

PSA has mentioned before in the past that it preferably did not want to add new alliances, but instead wanted to deepen existing relationships. PSA and Fiat already have current co-operations in areas like commercial vans. The Fiat Fiorino, the Peugeot Bipper and the Citroen Nemo are all derived from the same project.

The two companies also have joint ventures with other companies on their own. PSA Peugoet Citroen’s recently launched SUVs are a development of the Mitsubishi Outlander while the Fiat Sedici is a Suzuki SX4.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

This is something seriously really cool from Fiat. They’ve actually incorporated social network elements into their car ownership together with a very cool and gadgety way of teaching you how to drive your Fiat economically.

It’s called Fiat eco:Drive and it’s basically it’s a software that will allow you to record detailed information on your vehicle as well as your driving pattern’s efficiency and later analyze it in a software on your computer.

All you need to do is plug a USB storage drive into the Microsoft Blue&Me USB port and the data will be copied to the drive. After you’ve finished driving, just plug the same drive to your computer and let the eco:Drive software analyze it.

The software will let you know how fuel efficient your current driving pattern is and how you can improve it. It will also give you a score out of 100 – something Fiat is calling the eco:Index. Just follow the tips the software gives you and watch your eco:Index go up, hopefully. A user of eco:Drive is also part of the eco:Ville social network. Users will be able to interact, share tips, as well as watch how much CO2 and energy they are saving together as a whole.

The video after the jump shows so much more about the software. It’s really quite a cool piece of software and has quite nice graphics. It’s built on Adobe AIR so it works on both a PC and Mac. It currently works only on the Fiat 500 and Fiat Grande Punto but Fiat is working on making it compatible with the rest of the Fiat range as long as you have Blue&Me installed.

Watch the video after the jump.

Video: Fiat eco:Drive with Blue&Me

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The PUR-O2 line of cars will feature fuel-saving technologies such as start-stop systems by Bosch, Eco Drive, green tyres, low-viscocity fluids, aerodynamic bodykits and gearboxes with modified ratios designed for low fuel consumption.

Initially three PUR-O2 models will be offered – the Fiat 500 PUR-O2, the Fiat Bravo PUR-O2 and the Fiat Croma PUR-O2. These cars will feature small displacement petrol engines such as a 1.2 liter unit, and fuel efficient Multijet engines with low CO2 emissions mated to a Dualogic twin clutch automated gearbox with ratios for fuel efficiency.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat is quite obviously trying to position the Fiat Fioriono Qubo as a happening lifestyle MPV as evident from the hot babes and the bright colours in this set of photos.

Based on the Fiat Panda platform, the Fiorino is a joint venture program between Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroen and as a result of that, it is also sold as the Peugeot Bipper and the Citroen Nemo. The series was originally launched as commercial vans but as Renault did with their Kangoo, this new passenger version comes soon after.

A few engine options are available ranging from a 73hp 1.4 liter 8 valve mated to a 5-speed manual (Fiat recommends this for CNG conversions), to a 75hp 1.3 liter Multijet engine mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automated manual.

It is available either has a 7-seater or a 5-seater. Look after the jump for more photos of the Fiorino Qubo and its accompanying babes.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fiat Fiorino Qubo MPV
Click thumbnails to view high resolution photo

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

BMW has been looking for a JV partner for its MINI platform for quite some time now in the search for higher economies of scale. The MINI already shares engines with another European company – PSA Peugeot Citroen. The MINI’s 1.6 liter Prince engine is also found in PSA cars like the Peugeot 308.

BMW had been in talks with Mercedes-Benz in the past to increase their JV activities including exploring the idea that the next gen MINI and A-Class could share the same underpinings, but its rival had rejected the idea of any further joint projects beyond the current hybrid system JV.

The fact that BMW and Fiat is tying up for platform sharing is quite funny really as Fiat had also been in talks with Daimler in the past and talks progressed further than any talks Daimler had with BMW, but in the end Daimler decided to go ahead and build the next generation A-Class on its own rather than share platforms with anyone as it had sufficiently cut costs through its CORE initiative. To make it simple, A and B were both going after C, but A and B ended up getting together instead.

BMW and Fiat are also considering developing a new family of gasoline and diesel engines together. This should be the successor to the Prince family.

More details will be revealed by the end of 2008.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat has decided that it will be building its new small SGE engine at its Bielsko Biala plant in southwest Poland. The SGE (Small Gasoline Engine) is Fiat’s smallest engine with only two cylinders and a 900cc displacement. It will be going into the upcoming Fiat Topolino and other small Fiat cars like the Fiat 500, Fiat Panda and possibly the Fiat Grande Punto as an economical baseline engine.

The engine will be equipped with Fiat’s Multiair electronic variable valve timing system and will have a few tune levels available ranging from a normally aspirated 65hp output to a turbocharged 110hp output. The engine design reduces the weight of a conventional 4-cylinder by 20% and installed volume by 25%.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Sometime in May this year Fiat announced that it would revive the Topolino name for a range of small cars that could potentially also include one that has electric drive, as the Fiat Phylla concept hinted. The new Fiat Topolino variants will be built at the recently acquired Zastava plant in Serbia. Above is an artist’s impression of what the new Fiat Topolino could look like. The Lancia-like grille is similiar to the grille that the classic original Fiat Topolino had, and would not be totally off as Fiat intends to market an upmarket version of the Topolino as a Lancia.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The Fiat Phylla concept city car was developed by design schools IED (Europeo di Design), IAAD (Istituto di Arte Applicata e Design), and the Centro Richerche Fiat (CRF)’s Advanced Design department.

Phylla is the Greek word for leaf, and pays homage to the leaf’s ability to photosynthesize sunlight into energy, which the Phylla concept has via the use of solar panels on the roof. The 750kg (including a 150kg battery) green concept is built on an aluminium space frame with asymmetrical pillar designs, pretty much like a leaf’s pattern.

The car’s body is only 2995mm long with a 1,980mm wheelbase, but features 2+2 seating. Of course with all 4 seats up there is barely any luggage space, as that is created when you fold the rear seats down, which results in a luggage capacity of 584 liters.

Power is via two electric motors, one for each axle, effectively creating a 4WD system. The car’s specs indicate a nominal output of 27kW with a peak output of 54kW, which leads me to believe 27kW is only with one axle powered, with the other axle’s motor activating when maximum acceleration is needed. The vehicle can go up to an estimated 145km in lithium-ion batteries, or 220km on lithium-polymer batteries. It can be recharged in 4 hours max at 4.5kW, or 5 hours at 3kW.

Most agree that the technology behind the Fiat Phylla concept will find its way into an electric version of the upcoming new Fiat Topolino family of small cars that Fiat is planning to introduce. See two more images after the jump.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The first model to be built at the Serbian plant will be called the Fiat Topolino. Fiat had a car called the Topolino back in the 1930s, and it was a two-seat minicar. The new Fiat Topolino will be based on the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda’s platform, and will be a shorter vehicle than either of the two vehicles at 3150mm long. The Panda currently measures 3538mm long, and the Fiat 500 about 3550mm long. An upscale variant of the Topolino will be marketed under the Lancia brand. Topolino means “little mouse” in Italian.

It was previously reported that Fiat might revive the Uno or Palio name for a new low cost car program. Fiat announced that from 2010 onwards, a new low-cost car project currently codenamed the B-compact family will be produced at the Serbian plant. This should be the new low cost car, but no name was revealed.

Related Posts:
Fiat to develop new low-cost car

Source

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The new low-cost Fiat will help with the company’s position in markets such as South America, Russia, India and China. It’s not known yet whether the new low cost car will be Fiat-badged or not, as there is a possiblity of a new brand being used. Fiat is still conducting internal studies on whether a low cost model could damage Fiat’s image.

This car would effectively be the spiritual successor to the Fiat Palio, a supermini designed by Fiat as a “world car” aimed at developing countries. There has been speculation on the revival of the Fiat Uno nameplate as well.

Source

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat will be exhibiting an Aria version of the Fiat 500 alongside the Abarth version – two different ends of the product range, kinda like how Honda launched the Civic Hybrid and the Civic Type R at the same time.

Following the theme of the previous Fiat Panda Aria, the 500 Aria will be an eco-friendly car with an Euro 5 compliant 1.3 liter 16 valve Multijet turbodiesel with DPF filter, mated to a Dualogic automated manual transmission.

The Multijet turbodiesel also gets stop-start technology, which switches off the engine automatically during stops and automatically restarts it when you’re ready to go again. Fiat says this can improve fuel consumption by up to 10% in urban driving conditions. Other eco-options include low power consumption auxiliary units, reduced weight components and low-drag Pirelli tires.

The Fiat 500 Aria’s interior is made of recycled materials including a new floor material made from old tires, recycled seat upholstery and organic woven leather and fabrics.

Fiat says all of these eco-friendly technologies will make its way into production cars. Two more photos of the 500 Aria after the jump.


Click to enlarge

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© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

Fiat has released more official details and photos of the new Fiat 500 Abarth, so I’m posting a follow-up to the previously posted 500 Abarth story.

The engine under the hood is confirmed to be the drive by wire Fiat Fire 1.4 liter 16 valve DOHC engine, which uses an IHI variable geometry turbocharger to boost power up to 135 horsepower at 5,500rpm and 180Nm of torque at 2,500rpm. In sports mode, this torque is boosted up to 206Nm at 3,000rpm. This engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, with dual cable external gearbox control. It meets Euro 5 emission standards.

The Fiat 500 Abarth uses MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam rear axle with anti roll bar. The suspension is naturally lower than the stock 500 for a sportier stance. The power steering system is a Dualdrive EPS with Sport mode, which tightens during sportier driving conditions. The interior features an LED gear change indicator and an analogue boost gauge for the turbocharger.

Brakes are 284 x 22 mm ventilated discs at the front with floating ZPH 4.1.2 calipers, while the rear uses 240 x 11 mm solid discs with floating CII 34 calipers. Standard wheels are 16 inch with 195/45R16 tyres, with an option for 17 inchers with 205/40R17 tyres.

More photos and a video after the jump.

VIDEO: Fiat Abarth 500

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© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The first details on the upcoming Fiat 500 Abarth have been revealed, and it looks like the MINI Cooper S has a new competitor, although the 500’s 135 horsepower figure and over-8 second 0-100km/h sprint time looks like it is overshadowed by what the turbocharged direct injection 1.6 Prince engine in the Cooper S can do.

The Fiat 500 Abarth’s 1.4 liter Fire family engine puts out 135 horses at 5,500rpm and 206Nm of torque at 3,000rpm, but probably has potential to put out more, possibly up to 180 horses in aggressive states of tune. Expect a boosted up variant to appear in the Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse.

© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

One company that is very happy about all of this is Fiat, who has a close relationship with Tata. Tata uses Fiat turbodiesel engines in their cars, and the two companies have a partnership worth Rs 4000 crore (3.3 billion ringgit) in India.

Fiat says this will most likely allow the Italian company to get access to Jaguar’s technologies. It is particularly interested in Jaguar’s rear wheel drive platform as well as Land Rover’s four-wheel drive technology. Yup, you guessed right – the first model from the Fiat group to benefit from this is most likely the new flagship Alfa Romeo 169, which Fiat plans to develop as a rear wheel drive car.

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© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The new dual clutch Fiat Powertrain Technologies C635 gearbox will use two dry clutches (DDC means Dual Dry Clutch) which are lighter and require less cooling than wet clutches, but there is no indication at the moment how many speeds the gearbox would have, though 6-speed is the most likely since the C635 family will feature a manual as well, and I don’t think a 7-speed manual is very common,

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© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

The Fiat Bravo now has two new engine options, a 105 horsepower turbodiesel and a 120 horsepower turbodiesel – both 1.6 liter Fiat Multijet 16v engines in different states of tune. The new 120 horsepower 16 liter Multijet replaces the old 120 horses 1.9 liter Multijet. The new Multijet’s torque has improved by 25% – 300Nm at 1,500rpm (105hp version has 290Nm), and its consumption has been reduced by 8%, measured on the NEDC cycle. Noise levels has been reduced by 5%. Acceleration time from 80-120 km/h in 5th gear is almost 4 seconds lower.

Most impressively, the engine has a service interval of 35,000km, reducing normal maintenance costs by 25%! The Fiat Bravo is a fun little car especially with a manual gearbox. Read my earlier short test drive report of the 1.4 liter T-JET turbocharged petrol version linked in the related post list below.

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© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.

LATEST DELHI 2008 UPDATE: Tata has unveiled the Tata 1-Lakh Car and has named it the Tata Nano. Click here for the latest details on the new Tata Nano.

Artist’s Impression – Click to enlarge

This is a little bit of imagination going wild here… but something I think is interesting nonetheless. Most of you know that Tata is developing a 1-Lakh car (USD2,500), and we’ve seen an artist’s impression of it when I wrote about the car back in October.

Now, Tata currently has a JV with Fiat, and Fiat’s plant at Ranjangaon, Pune is making both Fiats and Tatas. Tata even uses Fiat diesel engines for its Tata Indica and Tata Indigo. Now, what if Fiat uses the Tata 1 lakh car as a baseline budget model, and a pure styling-enhanced Abarth model is created from it?

Seems like a long shot… but doesn’t stop the very generous Theophilus Chin from flexing his Photoshop muscles and creating something at a request from another paultan.org reader, who had this crazy idea in the first place.

Above is the result, along with a new artist’s impression of the Tata 1-Lakh car, looking alot better than the previous version I posted. The original 1-Lakh car is a 5-door, while the “Abarth” is a 3-door version.

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© 2009 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 13:48:21 +0800.