To appreciate the extent to which our designers fulfilled their brief, we need to imagine all the technology packed into the ultra-new 1.9 Multijet engine: a high pressure Common Rail device, multiple injections, 16 valves, intercooler and a combustion chamber with a particularly efficient shape. All this plus an intake system with plastic manifold and directional ports. Our last task was to reduce engine weight and size without losing anything in terms of technical sophistication and quality. The result was the 1.3 Multijet 16v.

The result is an engine that weighs just 130 kg with all its accessories. It is small in size and its components are arranged to ensure it takes up minimum space. It assures the same advantages as a bigger engine because it is not simply smaller but miniaturised to ensure all the technological sophistication is preserved. 

The Multijet system used on the small 1.3 16 valve unit is a development of the Common Rail principle applied to first-generation JTD engines. The new engine uses more sophisticated injectors and control system (an electronic management unit) to perform more injections than the current number of two during each engine cycle. In this way, combustion is more gradual because pressures and temperatures developed in the combustion chamber are more accurately controlled and better use is made of air taken into the cylinder. 

- lower noise levels 
- greater comfort 
- smooth, satisfying drive 
- flexible with prompt responses 
- environmentally-friendly features 

As far as customers are concerned, all the technology packed into the pint-sized 1.3 Multijet 16v means a reduction in fuel consumption. This drop amounts to 10% when compared to the current 1.9 JTD engine (with equal mass and weight) while emissions are 50% lower compared to the same car. All this comes with: 

- lower noise levels (imagine cylinder knock as drum beats: three beats on a small drum are not as noisy as a single beat on a big drum); 
improved comfort: fewer alternating masses means fewer vibrations; 
- a smooth, satisfying drive due to very gradual torque delivery (in turn assured by improved control of combustion, moment by moment); 
all the flexibility and prompt responses of a diesel that thinks it's a petrol engine due to its wide rpm range (for example, fuel cut-off at just over 4000 rpm is imperceptible); 
- the green features that allow this engine to improve on the main environmental advantage of diesel engine - i.e. fuel economy - by reducing their main drawback, i.e. particulate emissions. 

1988 - Croma TDI 
1997 - Alfa 156 JTD 
2002 - Alfa 156 / 147 1.9 JTD 16v 140 bhp 
2003 - 1.3 Multijet 16v 

Throughout its long history, Fiat's great strength has always been based on two aspects: its ability to introduce innovation to the compact car and its quest for new technologies and manufacturing procedures - and the new processes required to make this possible. 

All Fiat's successful models have been appreciated for their practicality, reasonable price, creative solutions and ability to stay ahead of their time. 
The small 1.3 Multijet 16v engine allows Fiat to reclaim this role with redoubled vigour. The Unijet system, in turn, opened the way to a new generation of medium and medium-high diesel engines. The 1.3 Multijet 16v is destined to bring about the same revolution in the mini and city car segments. 

All estimates indicate that the diesel market is destined to grow considerably between now and 2006. This will be particularly true of small diesel engines. These forecasts are based on the fact that people are finding diesel engines more and more attractive, even when fitted to city cars. Buyers are attracted by their smooth operation and high torque at low speeds. The advent of engines that are smaller than those available at present will break down the last psychological barrier of cylinder capacity and attract many more customers to diesel engines. 

With its revolutionary 1.3 Multijet 16v engine, Fiat is ready to carve out a considerable share of the market that it helped to create and that is estimated to amount to one and a half million units per year. 

The 1.3 Multijet 16v is thus a revolutionary engine that is bound to be even more attractive because it equips all-new models that will consolidate Fiat's great tradition in the mini sector. Cars of great appeal that are consistent with strong, winning market trends yet are also in keeping with Fiat's history and mission. 

The new city car will be compact in size (3.54 x 1.58 m), surprisingly roomy, smart due to features such as a new robotised gearbox with robotised clutch and an economy key for maximum fuel saving, reasonable purchase price and running cost, comprehensive equipment: from climate control to ABS, ESP, satellite navigation system and clear Sky-dome roof. 

The other equally impressive model will be a true MPV but with great interior roominess and exterior dimensions essentially on a par with those of a segment B car. The car will cut across traditional market categories and attract customers from higher market bands to create a new segment of its own. It will achieve this by means of its up-to-date, appealing shape, no fewer than five petrol and diesel engines and product features such as a robotised gearbox, six airbags and an automatic multizone climate control system.