A new two-cylinder, 900cc petrol engine will arrive in 2010. This brand-new powerplant, dubbed SGE (Small Gasoline Engine), is expected to be the first of a new modular family built around the individual 450cc cylinder unit.

Head of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, Alfredo Altavilla, has set forth details of his company’s plans for 2009, which reveal a hectic schedule and the debut of a raft of new developments. In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Altavilla revealed that next year will be an exceptionally busy one for FPT, which will launch onto the market a dual-clutch transmission, its new ‘Multiair’ hydraulic valve actuation technology, and a new type of diesel injector, dubbed ‘Multijet 2’. A newly-developed two-cylinder, 900cc petrol engine will follow in 2010.

This brand-new powerplant, dubbed SGE (Small Gasoline Engine), is expected to be the first of a new modular family built around the individual 450cc cylinder unit. To be offered in three forms – naturally-aspirated, turbocharged, and a flex-fuel ‘Natural Power’ version designed to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) – it is set to replace the naturally-aspirated variants of the long-serving FIRE family, which is currently manufactured in 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 litre capacities. The new SGE 900cc bi-cylinder engine will initially be offered with a range of four power outputs – 65, 80, 90, and 105bhp. Later, Fiat will also offer the option of a CNG and hydrogen compressed gas solution, similar to that seen in the Panda Aria concept car. Altavilla said that other manufacturers have enquired about the engine’s availability, but did not provide specific details.

Set to finally hit the marketplace next year, Multiair hydraulic valve actuation technology has been under continuous development by Fiat for many years. The Italian carmaker is alone in pursuing this technology, which offers the potential for continual valve adjustment and thus optimised efficiency. Altavilla has previously said that engines equipped with Multiair offer up to 20 per cent more torque, at lower revs, as opposed to a conventional mechanical system.

He also confirmed that the new Multiair technology's debut would be seen on the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 147, Progetto 940, which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt IAA. The system will debut on the group’s 1.4 FIRE T-Jet engine, before spreading to all Fiat Group petrol engines. These include the SGE, on which it will help to reduce CO2 emissions to below 100g/km.

The new two-cylinder is specifically designed to minimise its environmental impact. Designed for A- and B-segment cars, it will find its way into the 500, Topolino, Grande Punto, next-generation Panda and new Lancia Ypsilon, as well as the low-cost cars being developed by Fiat Brazil. In addition, it features a space-saving integrated inlet manifold, in anticipation of a future hybrid version. 

Moreover, Fiat Powertrain is also working on widening its applications of stop-start technology. According to Altavilla in the interview, the technology reduces emissions by an average of 3 to 4 per cent, with a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 15 per cent in city driving.

Meanwhile, on the diesel side of the equation, FPT has been busily developing the next leap ahead in oil-burning technology, Multijet 2, in conjunction with Bosch. Altavilla says that Multijet 2 will mark a great leap forward, equivalent in scope to that of the original introduction of common-rail on the Alfa 156 JTD in 1997. Unlike on that occasion, however, he says that Fiat intends to hang on to the patent for this latest-generation technology. He notes that it offers particular benefits in emissions and, especially, low-rev torque. Like Multiair with petrol engines, Multijet 2 will find its way onto every diesel built by FPT. Saying that it will arrive in the last third of the year, Altavilla suggests that 90 per cent of all diesels will use the technology within a decade.

by Shant Fabricatorian