Archive for Fiat

Talks between Daimler and Fiat on a possible platform-sharing venture have ended with no positive results. It seems that during the talks, Daimler found out that a platform-sharing cooperation with Fiat would not be as cost-advantageous as expected because Fiat produces its small models more expensively than Daimler can already do with its A-class (shown above) and B-class.

Daimler is still in talks with BMW as previously reported, and if that does not go through it will go ahead to develop new entry-level models on its own. Mercedes-Benz has a new cost saving program called CORE and the next generation A-class and B-class will be cheaper to make than the current generation even without the savings gained from platform-sharing. But of course, more savings would definitely be a bonus.

Mercedes Benz Cars wants to make a decision on whether to go for platform-sharing or develop on its own by the end of 2007. They are also talking to Japanese manufacturers about joint usage of 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines – this probably means the end of the M266.

Related Posts:
MINI platform for next generation A-Class?

People who value a fun drive in Malaysia now have another option to choose from in the form of the Fiat Bravo GT 1.4 T-JET, boasting a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine putting out 150 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

This test drive was rather short and spontaneous – a friend and I just happened to see a Fiat showroom on our way back from lunch today, so I had to snap the photos with my camera phone. Also, this writeup is based on a rather short drive for just a few kilometers as it was a typical showroom test drive.

Read my impressions of my short but fun experience with the turbo Bravo after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Fiat Bravo GT 1.4 T-JET 150hp Short Test Drive

The Fiat Panda Aria concept car marks the return of the twin-cylinder engine to cars, something which Fiat thinks is the next step to reducing fuel consumption and improving emissions. For the longest time, the smallest of cars like the K-cars of Japan have been using 3-cylinder inline engines. Fiat’s new SGE 900cc Turbo twin-cylinder engine knocks one off the cylinder count.

Fiat Powertrain Technologies decided to downsize from a conventional 4-cylinder engine to a 2-cylinder turbocharged engine. The engine incorporates Fiat’s Multiair electronic inlet valve control system (fancy word for throttle-less intake), turbocharging, and a Stop and Start device to reduce fuel consumption during heavy traffic. Two versions of the engine are available, with a third one under development.

The first variant is a 80 horsepower version that uses a petrol-methane fuel supply system. It runs on a mixture of 70% methane and 30% hydrogen. Then you have the Mono Fuel petrol-only version which puts out 105 horsepower. The third one currently being developed is a normally aspirated version making 65 horsepower.

The engine is 20% lighter and takes up 25% less space than a 4-cylinder engine that makes a similiar power output.

Other than the engine, the Fiat Panda Aria has a few other interesting features. The interior is upholstered with natural fibres, woven coconut fibre and biodegradable elements, while the exterior panelling is made of semi-transparent eco-resin and the structure is treated with opaque ‘totouch’ paint. Even the tyres are Pirelli’s experimental ultra-green tyres which use new compounds and new aromatic oil-free textile weaves.

One more rear shot after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Fiat Panda Aria features two-cylinder turbo engine

Fiat will be showing off it’s Fiat Grande Punto Abarth “esse-esse” (Super Sport, or SS) prototype at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The SS tuning kit boosts power of the basic Abarth up to 180 horsepower, up from the stock 150 horsepower that the Abarth’s turbocharged 1.4 liter engine makes.

Other enhancements include a lower stance and more powerful brakes, plus it will have SS badging around the car.

One more photo after the jump.

Related Posts:
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth

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The latest whispers being passed around dinner tables in the automotive industry are that Jaguar and Land Rover are currently on the table, and potential buyers are Fiat. It seems that talks started in February this year but ended last month, with no resolution. Sources say the talks were dropped because Fiat was concerned on how the Jaguar would affect Fiat’s credit rating. Fiat would have benefited from Jaguar’s rear wheel drive platforms if the sale had gone through.

With rumours of BMW being interested in Volvo, and most of Aston Martin shares recently being sold, it seems Ford Motor Co is looking to offload all of it’s Premier Automotive Group (PAG) brands.

PAG lost US$327 million before taxes last year, it’s third loss in a row for three years. Jaguar has lost the most money apparently, a total of between US$500 million to US$1 billion since 2001. Land Rover has gained traction recently though, pardon the pun

Source

Fiat Powertrain Technologies has unveiled the latest revision of it’s 1.9 liter JTD MultiJet 16 valve inline-4 turbodiesel engine, which uses twin stage turbocharging to produce high power and massive torque in a wide RPM range at the same time.

Low end torque has improved by 50% over current JTD MultiJet models, with 300Nm available from just 1,250rpm going up to peak torque of 400Nm at 2,000rpm. The new engine is available in two stages of tune – 177 horsepower and 188 horsepower at 4,000rpm. The higher 188 horses version is exclusively for Fiat and Fiat Group companies like Alfa Romeo and Lancia, while the 177 horsepower version will be made available for purchase to customers. Nanjing as one of the first customers comes to mind – they were reported to be sourcing a powerful turbodiesel for it’s MG 7 sedan from an European manufacturer.

The new engine uses a 16.5 compression ratio, low-voltage metallic glow plugs, an improved EGR cooler, and a new inlet port design. It complies with projected Euro 5 emission standards. It has a cast iron block and an aluminium alloy head.

The 177hp version will be available in July 2007 onwards, while the 188hp version is set to be launched in June 2008. The engines will be produced at Pratola Serra in Italy.

A high performance version of the latest modern incarnation of a retro classic has been spotted by Car Online making rounds on the Nurburgring, one of the few places that every car under testing has to grace it seems. The camo is minimal, only serving to hide a little minor trim level details that might be exclusive to the Abarth tuned up version. The wheels are much bigger and sportier, and are complete with low profile tyres.

They say under the hood of this Fiat 500 Abarth lies a 1.4 liter turbocharged engine putting out more than 150 horsepower, and thus the front air intakes on the bumper have been redesigned to be larger so that they can accommodate the larger airflow needed for the high performance engine.

Fiat’s Abarth in-house tuning division will be making a comeback with the new Fiat Grande Punto Abarth. Set to bring Fiat back into the hot hatch game, the Grande Punto Abarth will feature a 1.4 liter Turbocharged engine making 150 horsepower at 5,500rpm on regular grade petrol, or 155 horsepower on RON98. With this engine, you get 6-speeds of manual fun to shift through. Peak torque is at 3,000rpm, with 230Nm, but only if you activate the sports mode which up the boost. Otherwise it is 206Nm at 2,000rpm. A more powerful version is also set to be revealed, with a total of 180 horses under the hood from the same engine.

The suspension system uses a McPherson layout at the front, and a torsion axle at the rear, similiar in setup to the Honda Civic 5-door Type R, something that has attracted criticism but somehow manages to perform well on the track. Brakes have Brembo twin pot calipers up front on 305mm ventilated discs, while the rear caliper is a single piston setup gripping 264mm discs.

An Abarth-tuned Fiat 500 is also in the works, which could prove to be quite fun.

More photos after the jump.

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This is a presentation that Fiat prepared for the Fiat 500 launch. The tagline seems to be “The Fiat 500 Wants You”. Video after jump.

Click here to read the rest of Fiat 500 Presentation

Details of the revival of the Fiat 500 has been officially released by Fiat Automobiles SpA. The new Fiat 500 is 355cm long, 165 cm wide, 149 cm tall and has a wheelbase of 230 cm. Despite rumours of a two-cylinder turbocharged engine, we now know that the Fiat 500 will be conventionally powered by Fiat’s 69hp 1.2 liter 8 valve petrol and 100hp 1.4 liter 16 valve petrol engine, as well as a 75hp 1.3 liter 16 valve MultiJet turbodiesel.

More photos and videos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Fiat 500 previewed