Two cars on show on the Fiat stand in Paris will be further evidence of Fiat Auto’s concern for environmental protection, a fundamental principle behind model development in the company. The ‘Panda Panda’ that is due to go on sale next January and the ‘Multipla Multi-Eco’ concept car that combines an innovative powertrain architecture – consisting of an engine that can run on three different fuels i.e. petrol/methane/benzene + ethanol) - with the use of eco-compatible materials (recyclable or of natural origin) inside and outside. On the one hand, the Fiat Panda Panda extends the diverse range of petrol/methane dual fuel power units; on the other hand, the Multipla Multi-Eco confirms Fiat’s desire to carry on making breakthroughs in the field of alternative minimum environmental impact power unit research with a view to broadening its range of Natural Power power units.

Panda Panda: two energies, one movement

The Tao symbol is a mark of universal harmony, beginning and end, yin and yang, black and white, male and female. A realm where opposites live together and enhance one another, respecting the rhythms and balance of nature. Customers who choose the Panda Panda love nature and respect it, although they wish to move in freedom. Opposites finally meet in the Panda Panda: driving satisfaction and low environmental impact, dual fuel and low fuel consumption. Twofold energy for a single movement.

Smart, practical, fun and environmentally sound: these are the distinctive features of the ‘Panda Panda’, the new minimum environmental impact vehicle equipped with a 52 bhp 1.2 engine with a dual petrol/methane fuel system. This original Natural Power sets out to become the new benchmark in the sustainable urban mobility vehicle scenario. The Panda Panda is also even more innovative because it overcomes the drawbacks typical of methane cars. The floorpan, derived from the 4x4 version, incorporates two separate methane tanks, each with a capacity of 72 litres. The two tanks fitted in this way allow the same amount of room as on the original car for both passenger and luggage (more than 200 litres with the rear seats upright).

The 72 litre capacity allows a superior trip range that is about 300 kilometres using methane alone (20% more range than that offered by the Fiat Punto, for example). The fuel tank capacity remains unchanged compared to the petrol version (30 litres) thus ensuring peace of mind even where methane suppliers are thin on the ground.

The ‘Panda Panda’ confirms Fiat’s leadership in the methane sector and its continuous quest to find solutions that reconcile customer needs with the greatest respect for the environment. Methane vehicles reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 23% compared to the equivalent petrol vehicles and reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions to practically zero. Emissions when the car is driven in methane mode amount to 114g of CO2/Km compared to 133g of CO2/Km in petrol mode (NEDC cycle).
 

The Panda Panda will also be available with a Dynamic specification to ensure that even the basic version of the car is packed with creature comforts and may be customised on the basis of individual requirements. The new Panda version is also ideal for small company fleets since it can be driven around freely in any city centre.

Multipla Multi-Eco Concept car

The Paris motor show will host the original Multipla Multi-Eco, a concept car produced on a Multipla base that exploits the potential of Tri-fuel technology combining petrol, a mixture of petrol and ethanol (E85) and methane (petrol/E85 dual fuel systems are normally termed Flex fuel systems). E85 is a mixture made up of 15% petrol and 85% bio-ethanol.

This is how it works: the bio-ethanol and the petrol are poured into the same tank; a feature that makes it easier for motorists to refuel. The engine software monitors the mixture and alters the injection properties accordingly in fully automatic manner. Flex engines are able to work in the same way and with the same performance using both conventional fuel and natural alcohol-based fuels. As far as the environment is concerned, the advantage of ethanol lies in the fact that it is a renewable energy source (obtained from various crops by means of a biomass fermentation process i.e. agricultural products rich in sugars such as cereals, sugar crops, corn and vines) and does not increase the greenhouse effect and global warming because carbon dioxide is trapped during the production process.

Since E85 mixture also contains petrol, it reduces net CO2 emissions by some 40% (TBC). The option of switching from E85 to methane certainly represents a new alternative for sustainable mobility for city and rural driving because the methane reduces CO2 emissions while cutting polluting PM and NOx (urban pollution) to zero, while E85 considerably reduces CO2 emissions. The Multipla Multi-Eco Concept Car is created through the experience of Fiat Brazil in the field of innovative power units able to run on different fuels in any proportion.