NF500 / 500 Technology

Consultancy and research company JATO have declared that among the top ten selling vehicle manufacturers in Europe, Fiat Automobiles recorded the lowest average CO2 emissions value for automobiles sold during 2007, setting an impressive benchmark of 137.3 g/km

The full rundown puts Fiat ahead of Peugeot at 141.9 g/km with sister company Citroen coming in at 142.2 g/km. Another French manufacturer, Renault come in fourth place with 146.4 g/km average, followed by Ford at 149.1 g/km. The chasing pack is made up my Vauxhall/Opel, Volkswagen, BMW, and in last palce Mercedes with average CO2 emissions of 188.4 g/km.

The results of this important analysis reward Fiat’s ongoing commitment to finding innovative solutions to reduce levels of polluting emissions and CO2

explained Lorenzo Sistino, managing director of Fiat Automobiles

Fiat’s aim is always to stay closer to people’s real needs and its commitment does not end here. Irrespective of what is decided by the powers-that-be in Europe, our aim is still to achieve the lowest average adjusted level of CO2 emissions for Fiat cars by 2012. Fiat intends to achieve this result by introducing an action plan on engines and transmissions, in addition to the use of the Eco Drive, an innovative application developed with Microsoft that is able – via the USB Port of the versatile Blue&Me system - to analyse motorists’ driving styles, helping them to optimise behaviour in terms of fuel consumption and hence emissions.

While Fiat are very publicly touting their eco-credentials of late, with innovations in the pipeline concerning hybrid drive systems and other combined fuel saving technologies, as recently shown in the Fiat 500 Aria concept, one huge aid in achieving these figures is Fiat’s product portfolio, which leans heavily towards smaller, and therefore almost by default, more frugal and lower emitting cars than many rivals.

Fiat are also working hard to be ready for future regulation ahead of time, for example the Fiat 500 and the Fiat Bravo have already seen the introduction of Euro 5 Ready power units (petrol and diesel) to the range. And by the end of 2009, the majority of engines in the entire Fiat range will be Euro 5 ready. Fiat is also the first manufacturer to develop the Multijet technology that drives all new-generation diesel cars and is a world leader in the field of methane-driven OEM cars (more than 50,000 were sold last year in Italy).

While investing in alternative fuel technology, Fiat is also embarking on a mission to downsize its diesel and petrol engine versions, as demonstrated by the new 1.4 T-Jet and 1.6 Multijet families. The adoption of a new-generation turbocharger, combined with a smaller capacity engine, enables Fiat to achieve performance levels on a par with, or even in excess of higher-capacity power units, but with lower fuel consumption and emissions.

Fiat are developing petrol and diesel hybrid-drive systems for small cars and vans that, if all goes to plan, could be production-ready by 2011.

The hybrid powertrains will be able to propel a vehicle for short distances using only electric power, helping to reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during stop-start driving conditions.

We are still in the research phase and, if everything proceeds as expected, we could begin production within three years,

Alfredo Altavilla, CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, told Automotive News Europe.

For minicars and small cars, Fiat is working on a hybrid system based on their new two-cylinder, 900cc petrol engine that mates an electric motor/generator to a dual-clutch transmission. Fiat claim the small-car system has the potential to bring a car’s CO2 emissions to below 90g/km.

For another example of what Fiat could do with the 500 in the name of greener motoring, check out the Fiat 500 Aria Concept.

Well, we thought it was anyway. This is basically a press release, in full, from Borealis AG that details the specification and challenges they faces when sourcing and creating the plastic parts, interior and exterior, for the new Fiat 500.

High-performance materials from Borealis, a leading provider of innovative value creating plastics solutions, have helped FIAT to create a visually, highly-differentiated small car for drivers – the FIAT 500. The 2008 Car of the Year uses polypropylene-based Daplen™ thermoplastic olefins (TPO) from Borealis on its bumpers and dashboard to achieve the superior aesthetics and excellent performance of its parts that give the FIAT 500 the edge in the small car market.

Italy’s leading car manufacturer FIAT set visual appeal as one of the top priorities for its new 500 model for both interior and exterior components. To successfully realise FIAT’s eye-catching concept of a large bumper with outstanding scratch resistance, a Class A smooth surface finish and good paintability, Borealis worked closely with parts moulder Ersi (Poland) and FIAT to find the ideal material solution.

The challenge was met with Daplen EE103AI, a high melt flow rate (MFR) TPO with excellent scratch resistance and the ability to achieve uniform thickness over a large surface area. Its low thermal expansion over a broad temperature range ensures consistent high quality for large, moulded parts and precise fitting to other exterior panels, further enhancing the overall visual impression.

The dashboard specifications set by FIAT were particularly challenging. To keep a high level of aesthetic surface appeal and avoid visual defects, FIAT specified a mono-material solution for the 500’s major interior parts. Poland-based parts moulder Plastal chose Daplen EE168AI to meet requirements for excellent scratch resistance and low gloss, while also guaranteeing a consistent finish and high quality parts integration through the material’s high dimensional stability and low thermal expansion. In addition, the excellent impact/stiffness ratio offered by Daplen EE168AI enhances vehicle safety.

Both bumper and dashboard benefit from the lightweight of polypropylene without compromising on performance of parts. Lighter weight components can contribute towards lower overall vehicle weight, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and less CO2 emissions. The FIAT 500 falls within the EU CO2 emission standard of 120g/km set to take effect from 2012.

Vehicle manufacturers are continuously seeking ways to sharpen the competitive edge of their brands

comments Franz Zängerl, Manager Business Development Automotive at Borealis.

The use of Daplen materials in both interior and exterior applications on the FIAT 500 has helped FIAT to realise its ambitions for a small vehicle with cutting-edge design features that will boost consumer perceptions of FIAT’s image and quality. The success of our materials in these components opens up exciting new opportunities for the use of polypropylene-based compounds in new automotive applications.

According to Evo, Fiat have confirmed that the Stop&Start technology previewed as part of the Fiat 500 Aria concept car will make it into production. No suggestion of when this will happen is provided in the article, except to say that the 1.2 petrol model will receive the upgrade first, followed the 1.3 diesel.

Apparently the 1.2 becomes four percent more economical with the technology, whereas the diesel gains around two and a half percent.

Fiat has halted production of the 1.3 Multijet Diesel engine, as fitted to the Fiat 500, as a result of ‘anomalies’ in an externally supplied component. This means further delays for those waiting to get hold of their Diesel Fiat 500s.

Full press release from Fiat follows:

As a result of the constant quality controls carried out on all the components of Fiat Group Automobiles cars, a number of anomalies have emerged with
regard to an externally-supplied component for the 1.3 Multijet engine.

In order to verify that this supply of components meets the quality standardsrequested by Fiat, the Company has decided to suspend production of the
engines and cars on which they are mounted.

This decision has led to the suspension of production in the Bielsko Biala plant, where these engines are manufactured, as well as at certain production lines of the Mirafiori, Melfi, Termini Imerese, Tychy and Bursa plants, where models equipped with 1.3 Multijet engines are produced.

The Company is making every possible effort to speed up controls and adaptations that could become necessary, so as to reduce delays in delivery to
customers to the minimum.

Although Fiat is aware that this suspension of production will have repercussions on its delivery volumes for the month of February, it has
nonetheless decided to adopt an uncompromising and rigorous approach so as
to guarantee the highest levels of product quality to its customers.

Geneva hosts the global premiere by Fiat Automobiles of the Concept car 500 Aria which Fiat claim furthers the exploration of new “ecological” frontiers in the automotive sector.

Manufactured on the base of the Fiat 500 – the first model in its sector with the entire range of Euro5 Ready motors – the Concept car 500 Aria adopts all the latest generation, and indeed future technology, resulting in a significant reduction of consumption and emissions. The Fiat 500 Aria has extremely low CO2 emissions, a record value of 98 g/km.

The prototype vehicle is equipped with a Diesel 1.3 16v Multijet Euro 5 powerunit (with anti-particulate DPF filter) combined with robotic Dualogic shift (distinguished by a transmission and control box with the best containment of consumption).

In addition, the 500 Aria includes a Stop&Start system, allowing the temporary switch-off of the engine and it’s subsequent ignition, typical of urban journeys. In particular, uniting the Stop&Start system and the Dualogic shift, around a 10% (urban cycle) reduction of the consumption is obtained. Fiat predict the technology used here will make it into mainstream production during 2008. So if you’re considering a diesel Fiat 500 for its eco credentials, you may be inclined to hold of a little while before pulling the trigger on your new purchase.

The prototype’s interior foresees the use of recycled materials, for example, the recycled rubber used for the floor is composed by rubber granules deriving from used tyres, bound together with polyurethane binders. The seats have been upholstered with recycled and woven leather (called “mataleather, and supplied by the Matamata company) whilst the fabrics - guaranteed by the Ecolabel brand – are in polyester and in a design similar to the raffia palm with natural whirls (supplied by the Apollo company).

“Mataleather” is born out of the re-use of leather amalgamated with natural lattice and subsequently worked in sheets like real leather. The “DNA” Braided leather (the material used on the 500 Aria) is worked on until it forms a textile of real ecological leather, composed only by natural re-used fibres.

In regards to the textiles, Ecolabel is the European eco-quality brand that rewards the best products from an ecological point of view – the whole life-cycle is taken into account – whilst maintaining at the same time high performance standards.

Lastly, some important interior components – from the samplers to climate control and the control shield, down to the panel fittings – are made in materials composed by thermoplastics and natural fibres.

One day, all mainstream cars could be made like this.

While the increase in price of the London congestion charge for “Chelsea Chariots” and other gas guzzlers was grabbing the headlines in the British media Today, on the much more positive side there is good news to be found for owners of vehicles with lower emissions, below 120 g/km of CO2, and it’s no surprise that the diminutive new Fiat 500 fits into that category, in 1.2 petrol and 1.3 diesel guise at least.

The new rates, which will come into effect from October if all goes to the plan of the Mayor of London, offer a strong incentive for purchasing cars below the 120 g/km CO2 range, and will heavily penalise the largest polluting vehicles. Whether this will lead to more Fiat 500s being seen cruising the streets of London come autumn time will only tell, but it can surely only help.