Fiat Adds New Engines for 500L Minicar

Fiat SpA is adding two 120-hp engines a gasoline and diesel unit for its 500L stretched minicar. A third 120-hp powerplant equipped to burn gasoline or liquid petroleum gas is expected later this year.

The new diesel is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder MultiJet II unit equipped with a variable-geometry turbocharger from Honeywell. The engine delivers 236 lb-ft of torque at speeds as low as 1,750 rpm through a 6-speed manual transmission.

An "injection rate shaping" system uses a quick two-injection pulse to enhance combustion, reduce noise and lower oxides of nitrogen emissions. Fiat says the design has 40% fewer components than a conventional injector system.

Fuel-saving additions include an alternator that generates electricity when the car coasts, a variable displacement oil pump, low-viscosity oil and a stop-start system.

The new gasoline engine is a 1.4-liter T-Jet design fitted with a low-inertia turbocharger. The system produces 159 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. Fiat says the engine delivers fuel economy of 6.9 liters per 100 km on the European combined test cycle (34 mpg on the U.S. cycle).

The company also is readying a third 120-hp engine: a dual-fuel 1.4-liter turbocharged unit. The engine will be equipped with a special electronic control unit that switches automatically between gasoline and LPG. The driver also can select a fuel manually with a button located in the center console, thus enabling the car to operate in city zones where only zero-emission vehicles are allowed.

The dual-fuel engine can carry 38 liters (10 gallons) of LPG in a trunk-mounted toroid tank that Fiat says does not reduce luggage space.