While Fiat Automobiles
has no "wow" factor to draw visitors to its stand in
Paris is has however been lauded today by JATO which
says it registered the lowest average CO2 emissions on
cars sold in the first half of 2010 amongst the top ten
selling brands in Europe: 123.5 g/km (with respect to 2009, it has
recorded a further improvement of 4.3 g/km).
The record was
corroborated by JATO, a world leader in automotive
advisory and research services, founded in 1984 and now
operating in over 40 countries. The bottom line shows
Fiat ahead of Toyota (128.0 g/km), Peugeot (132.3 g/km),
Citroen (133.4 g/km), Renault (134.6 g/km), Ford (137.0
g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (141.0 g/km), Volkswagen (142.2
g/km), Audi (154.2 g/km) and BMW (154.5 g/km).
This important outcome is
now joined by two other exceptional results recorded in
the model and group rankings. Although it is true that
all of the 20 best selling models in Europe reduced
their emissions in the first half of 2010, no fewer than
three Fiat vehicles are ranked in the first positions:
the Fiat 500 is ranked first with an exceptional value
of 116.0 g/km of CO2 (with respect to 2009, it has
improved by 3.9 g/km), the Fiat Panda comes second
(118.9 g/km) and the Fiat Punto is in fourth place
(123.5 g/km).
Fiat Group Automobiles
was also confirmed first among groups (126.2 g/km),
increasing the distance with respect to Toyota (130.0
g/km), PSA (132.8 g/km), Renault (136.7 g/km) and
Hyundai (138.3 g/km). This outstanding result is a real
first for the category: Fiat is the only group that is
already below the European average value of 130 g/km set
for 2015. Among other things, it is worth remembering
that nearly 60% of the new vehicles in Europe are now at
a CO2 emission level equal to or lower than 140 g/km,
which corresponds to a 6.7% improvement with respect to
2009, thus increasing the share in the low-emission car
market (up to 120 g/km of CO2 emissions) by 5%.
Fiat’s commitment has
always aimed at the real needs of the public but it
doesn't stop there. The ecological achievement is the
result of a long-term strategy based on a two-pronged
approach: implementing technological solutions aimed at
containing consumption and emissions and raising the
awareness of motorists to encourage a more responsible,
eco-compatible use of their cars.
Firstly, unique, exclusive engines, such as the
unprecedented TwinAir two-cylinder (85 HP) which debuted
precisely on the Fiat 500 (saloon and cabrio). It should
also be noted that the Fiat 500 TwinAir is equipped with
the turbo petrol engine with the lowest average emission
levels in the world: 92 g/km with Dualogic robotised
gearbox and 95 g/km with manual gearbox. In this way,
despite its small size (875 cmc), the new engine ensures
excellent performance and an appreciable reduction in
fuel consumption: compared with a 1.4 100 HP, the 85 HP
TwinAir records a torque increase of 25% at 2000 rpm
despite a 30% decrease in fuel consumption. All this
ensures greater driving satisfaction and reduced
emissions.
Innovative solutions which are already available today
include MultiAir technology for petrol engines: by
implementing a new electro-hydraulic valve control
system, combustion is optimal at all times, CO2
emissions are cut by 25% and power is increased by 10%
at the same time. State-of-the-art technology is also
implemented in the field of diesel engines, with
second-generation 1.3 MultiJet engines delivering a
power of up to 95 HP. With 8 injections per cycle, the
1.3 MultiJet II improves low rpm torque delivery by up
to 25% and cuts emissions by 6%.
A fundamental boost to obtaining this record certified
by JATO has come from the extraordinary growth of
methane, the most eco-friendly and cost-effective fuel
available on the market today. A forward-thinking
choice, made over ten years ago, has made Fiat the
undisputed European leader in factory-fitted methane
systems (OEM), as demonstrated by the nearly 400,000
units sold to date in the Natural Power range, a
comprehensive range of dual fuel (methane/petrol) cars
and commercial vehicles able to meet any mobility need.
Furthermore, Fiat has
other innovative eco-tech solutions not strictly related
to motor engineering, like the Start&Stop system,
introduced on most models of the Euro 5 range, which
temporarily stops the engine and starts it up again when
the engine is idling and the car is stationary: this
reduces average fuel consumption by up to 12% on the
urban cycle.
The second approach of the Fiat environmental protection
strategy consists in raising the awareness of motorists
to promote an increasingly more responsible,
eco-compatible use of their cars. These principles are
implemented in eco:Drive, innovative software for
analysing driving behaviour and helping motorists to
optimise consumption and emissions by connecting through
the USB port of the Blue&Me system. eco:Drive is the
first and only system able to offer drivers authentic
trip data and personal tips based on their driving
style.
Since it was launched in October 2008, the application
has been downloaded approximately 140,000 times and is
habitually used by nearly 50,000 motorists. This is
remarkable success in terms of popularity and above all
a success for the environment, considering that the
eco:Ville community has saved in total nearly 3,000 tons
of CO2 . With eco:Drive, Fiat therefore set out to think
not only of its own products but also of its own users
by encouraging them to help reduce automotive
transport-related emissions.
eco:Drive is currently
available on a wide range of Fiat cars (500, 500C,
Grande Punto, Punto Evo, Bravo, Croma, Qubo, New Doblò)
and Fiat Professional commercial vehicles (Grande Punto
Van, Punto Evo Van, Fiorino, Nuovo Doblò and Ducato).
Specific functions are also available to evaluate
savings associated with the use of Fiat eco-technologies
(Start&Stop system and methane) as well as a dedicated
fleet version (eco:Drive Fleet) that allows companies
and fleet managers to control CO2 emissions and costs.