Presented at the New Uno
launch in Brazil last month and then quickly afterwards
as one of the main attractions of Michelin Challenge
Bibendum 2010, Fiat Automóveis has officially
detailed its latest concept car, the Uno Ecology
prototype, which is focused on solutions to make it a
more ecologic car, more sustainable and with less
environmental impact, besides keeping the innovating
design of production vehicle of the New Uno already a
sales success throughout Brazil. The New Uno concept is
set to continue under development process as a permanent
laboratory in the search of sustainable solutions.
Below are the new
technologies used in the Uno Ecology concept:
The 1.0 litre engine
is calibrated to consume Ethanol only (E100). So as to
get the best out of performance from the point of view
of ethanol energetic effectiveness, FPT – Powertrain
Technologies developed a 100%-ethanol propelled
prototype engine. In addition to being a renewable fuel,
it is a technical and economically viable alternative,
which brings the advantage to provide less emissions of
CO2 when compared to a gasoline propelled engine. All of
such considering the whole sugar cane cultivation cycle,
from its growth, when it absorbs CO2 during
photosynthesis, up to the vehicle utilization.
Plastic parts with
sugar cane bagasse. These parts are made of sugar cane
bagasse deriving from the ethanol and sugar production,
which allowed for the weight reduction of around 8% of
such prototype parts in relation to a conventional part,
in addition to the full energetic recovery at the life
cycle end. The materials utilized are renewable and
recyclable.
Coconut fiber and
latex seats. Their features are: renewable origin, air
permeable, anti-fungi, recyclable, biodegradable and of
strong social purpose for employing the work of
cooperatives. The employment of coconut fiber and latex
seats avoids the utilization of approximately 7 kg of
polyurethane (oil derivate substance) in the vehicle.
Uno Ecology also bears PET recycled fabric seats and
rugs — it employs around 30 bottles per vehicle. It is
worth adding that these researches may represent a
replacement of kilos of raw material currently deriving
from oil with renewable sources. Uno Ecology brought
several replacements of oil derivate fibers with those
sustainable ones: seven kilos of polyurethane foam
replaced with coconut fiber and other five kilos of
glass fiber (which employs too much oil in its
transformation process) replaced with sugar cane fiber.
Other 4.5 kilos of fabric in the seats and carpet were
replaced with PET-recycled-bottle fibers. Totally, 16.5
kilos of renewable material were applied in the
prototype.
Photovoltaic Sun Roof. Similarly to Fiat Punto Sky Dome,
it own photovoltaic cells in the rear dashboard which
helps in the battery charging, reducing the power
generation requirement by the engine and thus saving up
fuel – such roof was designed to generate an electric
power of 35W, considering an 8-hour exposure daily to
the sun for 30 days.
Anti Infrared Film. As
infrared radiation is that transmitting heat, the film
employment enables that the air conditioner is activated
less frequently (ex.: it could run in position 1 rather
than 3). This represents an estimated saving of up to 1%
in fuel consumption in comparison to full power air
conditioning utilization, keeping the same temperature.
Additionally, two
other technologies benefiting fuel saving are present on
the new Uno Ecology concept: Firstly, Start - stop. This
technology stops the car engine when it stops at the
lights and starts automatically the engine when the
clutch pedal is activated. This generates a fuel saving
of around 5% in urban traffic. Secondly, TPMS (Tyre
Pressure Monitoring System). It informs the driver,
through luminous signal, if there is any tyre with
pressure below specification, helping to lower vehicle
consumption. Low tyres may result in an increase of up
to 5% of fuel consumption.
Always seeking for new
technologies, Fiat innovation area has as main goal the
development of mobility solutions with alternative,
reemployable and non pollutant materials to be applied
in the brand future models. One of Fiat innovation area
work fruits, along with Estilo Center, was the FCC II
(Fiat Concept Car II), presented at International Auto
Show 2008. This concept car was designed on the
Environment & Fun concept – an electric concept car
built with ecologically responsible components, but
which at the same provides driving pleasure. The
Innovation area is part of the Centro de Desenvolvimento
Giovanni Agnelli [Giovanni Agnelli Development Center],
located in Betim and with a team of 800 professionals
dedicated to the development of new products and
Technologies in Brazil.
