Fiat has introduced a new ‘Dualogic’ gearbox option for the Grande Punto, now available with the 77bhp 1.4 8V (five speed) and 90bhp 1.3 16V Multijet (six speed) engines. A development of the system seen on the previous Punto, Dualogic is described by Fiat as a “robotized manual gearbox”. Similar in concept to Alfa Romeo’s ‘Selespeed’, it features an automatic servo device, which automates the clutch and gearlever to retain all the attributes of a dry clutch and manual gearbox (such as strength and reliability, less weight, and low energy consumption).

Dualogic features two modes – automatic, and semi-automatic, which adopts more advanced control strategies to ensure peak performance. In this mode, Dualogic behaves as a clutchless manual, with the driver changing gears by means of a sequential lever in place of the normal manual gearstick. Because no clutch pedal is present, the device is controlled simply by moving the lever: forward to change up (towards the ‘+’ symbol), back to change down (toward the ‘-’ symbol). When in automatic mode, Dualogic offers two options, Normal and Economy, with the latter used to improve fuel consumption with no significant loss in performance or comfort.
 

In both, the system recognises the road gradient (by means of a software algorithm) and modifies the shift point to ensure the best possible compromise between the driver’s needs, ground conditions and vehicle situation (speed and engine rpm) at all times.

In Italy, Dualogic is priced as a 600 euro option for the Grande Punto, and offers competitive performance compared with the standard manual option.  Moreover, with the automatic function in Economy mode, a Grande Punto equipped with Dualogic exhibits improved fuel consumption compared with a similarly-engined manual version: 5.7L/100km against 5.9 for the 1.4 8V petrol, and 4.5L/100km for the 1.3 Multijet, as opposed to the manual’s 4.7. The improvement is even more noticeable in city driving, with the Dualogic claiming figures of 6.8L/100km against 7.5 (1.4 8V), and 5.8L/100km compared with 5.9 (Multijet). 

Alongside this introduction, Fiat is also rolling out a new version of the Panda, featuring the 75bhp version of the 1.3 Multijet. Available with the Dynamic and Emotion trim levels, this version is priced at a 600 euro premium over the standard 70bhp 1.3 Multijet in Germany (including 16% VAT). The 75bhp version of the Multijet also includes a standard particle filter, making the Panda the first car in its class to offer such a feature.

by Shant Fabricatorian