[sidindica]

article from carscoop

Fiat has rolled out the production version of its long-awaited two-cylinder gasoline engine family called TwinAir that's has been developed by FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies). The first car to receive the new turbocharged engine is the Fiat 500, in both three-door and convertible forms, with sales to begin from September, 2010.

The innovative 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline unit implements several technologies, including a small-sized turbine, start and stop and the firm's MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions by controlling air directly via the inlet valves, without using the throttle.

Fiat says that compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new Twinair engine is significantly shorter (-23%) and lighter (-10%), while returning 30% lower fuel consumption.
The new Twinair engine will eventually be offered in various flavors with power outputs ranging from 65 to 105 HP, while Fiat is also planning to present a hybrid variant pairing the two-cylinder gasoline unit with an electric engine.

In the 500 and 500C, the 0.9-liter gasoline unit produces 85HP at 5,500 rpm and 145Nm of peak torque at 1,900 rpm. The Italian automaker claims that compared to the 1.2 8v, the new 85 HP turbo has 23% more power and a 30% better performance.

Equipped with the 85HP 0.9-liter engine and a manual gearbox, the Fiat 500 reaches a top speed of 173 km/h (108mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11 seconds, while returning a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 lt/100km [equal to 57.4mpg US and 68.9mpg UK] with C02 emissions of just 95g/km.

Those figures are further improved with Fiat's Dualogic robotised gearbox as the 500 returns 4.0lt/100km [equal to 58.8mpg US and 70.6mpg UK] with 92g/km of CO2.

In addition, the Fiat 500 with TwinAir 85 HP and the Dualogic robotized gearbox will come equipped with an ECO button positioned on the dashboard allowing the driver to select from two modes, Normal and ECO. In the first mode, the engine delivers the maximum available torque (145 Nm) while steering assistance is set on normal.

In ECO mode, the emphasis is on "eco-friendly" driving as torque is cut off to 100 Nm at 1,750 rpm to minimize consumption and promote a driving style more suitable for city traffic while the steering wheel is lighter (CITY mode is automatically selected).

The new Twinair engine will be offered on other A- and B-segment Fiat Group models including the Panda and the Punto Evo.

[luky_13]

Nice scoop... there has been a dramatic shift in perceptions from Auto manufacturers, steadily moving towards smaller more power and fuel efficient engines. Read somewhere that a lot of German and Italian auto companies are now looking at 'Optimal Engineering' - read, just enough. These Multi Air engines just prove the point.
It is actually a movement towards 'Responsible Engineering' by improving FE and reducing carbon emissions.

[CARDEEP]

Good scoop Sid

I think this is the one that Fiat have planned for India as Alto's rival. Fiats are amongst the best in small cars-engine technology. This one's is another feather in the cap.

[Bluengel180]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

Good scoop Sid

I think this is the one that Fiat have planned for India as Alto's rival. Fiats are amongst the best in small cars-engine technology. This one's is another feather in the cap.

Alto's rival? the Fiat 500 retails for 13 lakhs here

[rpmx1000]

Originally Posted by CARDEEP

Good scoop Sid

I think this is the one that Fiat have planned for India as Alto's rival. Fiats are amongst the best in small cars-engine technology. This one's is another feather in the cap.

While the specs may be the same, I can comfortably say this won't be an Alto
competition launched in India.And I would be glad to eat my words, mind you.
The TwinAir is a revolutionary technology that comes with a cost. Just like VW cannot deploy its hot 1.2 and 1.4 TSI engines, Fiat may not do similarly.It may come as a novelty at a crazy price like Fiat did with the Multijet 1.3 500 or the bravo, but not as a competition for the Alto. But hopefully things will change
and someone will have this brainwave at Fiat. But TwinAir car at 3 lakhs odd- sounds very very less likely to me.

[CARDEEP]

Originally Posted by Bluengel180

Alto's rival? the Fiat 500 retails for 13 lakhs here

I was referring to engine not the car. But, thanks for pointing that out.

Originally Posted by rpmx1000

While the specs may be the same, I can comfortably say this won't be an Alto
competition launched in India.And I would be glad to eat my words, mind you.
The TwinAir is a revolutionary technology that comes with a cost. Just like VW cannot deploy its hot 1.2 and 1.4 TSI engines, Fiat may not do similarly.It may come as a novelty at a crazy price like Fiat did with the Multijet 1.3 500 or the bravo, but not as a competition for the Alto. But hopefully things will change
and someone will have this brainwave at Fiat. But TwinAir car at 3 lakhs odd- sounds very very less likely to me.

I understand that there are development costs & the costs of components that go in building the engine & the final specs may drive the cost upwards, but there could be something based on the concept... it may not be powerful but purposeful, & when they have planned something in this direction why not use something that has already been materialised.
I hope I have made my point clear.

[xingamazon]

OMG, I should say this is sure a big leap as far as the engine technology is concerned.

Around 25 kmpl is surely significant, but it is a significant change when the time the three cylinder engine is slowly getting acceptance I guess 2 cylinder is too soon to digest.
But hats off to Fiat for thinking out of the box.

I am not sure how just two engines can bring in that much torque and power, I sometime dont get the maths at all.

I guess next level Tatas would try to make use of the agreement and get this into the higher segment of Nano. This would help if the weight is less.

[suhaas307]

Great little car with a great little engine! I'm sure this would catch on quite fast once it is introduced. What Fiat should do is introduce the Panda in India with this engine and price it well and it would instantly be a hit!

Great scoop!

[Jayabusa]

Personally, I can't digest that landaulet top, at least from the pics.

[Amartya]

The 500 is a sweet car. I liked the engine specifications as well. Would also like to hear what the powertrain sounds like, and also know what FPT has done to reduce vibrations.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by sidindica

The innovative 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline unit implements several technologies, including a small-sized turbine, start and stop and the firm's MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions by controlling air directly via the inlet valves, without using the throttle.

Fiat says that compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new Twinair engine is significantly shorter (-23%) and lighter (-10%), while returning 30% lower fuel consumption.
The new Twinair engine will eventually be offered in various flavors with power outputs ranging from 65 to 105 HP, while Fiat is also planning to present a hybrid variant pairing the two-cylinder gasoline unit with an electric engine.

Fiat creates some masterpieces of small engines. Not without reason has the 1.3 MJD gone on to become India's national engine! A sub <1 liter capable of 105 BHP! Think of the packaging (small bonnet), light weight and fuel efficiency.

Yup, the time of smaller turbo-charged engines has come. VW also has some super 1.2L TSIs in its line up.

[sdp1975]

This technology will be outdated by the time it reaches India. Why don't they introduce this here as well, small engines enjoy good tax benefits here.

[Amartya]

^^For one, I am sure that the engine requires significant tooling. With the numbers Fiat India is crunching, another engine doesn't make sense.

[designersf]

Fiat’s 2-cylinder marvel – We say why it is perfect for India

I found the article here



The world is changing and to keep up to the change, automakers are having to work harder than ever to meet customer’s requirements on one side as well as satisfy the ever tightening emission norms on the other. So every manufacturer from Maruti to Mercedes Benz are bringing new technologies from (where the engine can run on a lean mixture like diesel engines) to meet regulations. The boundaries of innovation are being pushed to the maximum limit to prolong the existence of the IC engine

So, at the upper end of the spectrum, cost doesn’t constrain the design as much as it does at the lower end. So, we will now focus on Fiat’s little two cylinder marvel that promises a lot. The engine also makes perfect sense for India where pollution and bumper to bumper traffic are the order of the day. Fiat is also the manufacturer with the lowest average CO2 emissions across its range in Europe, so they are up to something really good here.[/FONT]

For once, a two cylinder engine is not new, the humble Nano uses a 636cc two pot and the ancestors used the same engine, at least for the cheaper variants. If you notice the hatchback segment in India closely, you will see the number of manufacturers shifting to three cylinder power plants from four. It has its own set of advantages and only one major disadvantage as far as we can see – NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness). Fiat has gone one step ahead (or back) and chopped off the third cylinder too to end up with their new baby engine. So immediately you think about the power loss and the loss in acceleration but wait till you read this – The 900cc two pot produces 64, 84 and 104bhp depending on the state of tune, even surpassing VW’s 1.2 TSI that makes 105bhp and Nissan’s Supercharged 1.2 that produces a meagre 97bhp.

Surprised? Not just yet. There is a lot more to this engine that just that.

The Twin air engine, fitted in the will serve all of Fiat’s small car range from the Panda to the in the near future. The tiny engine consumes up to 30% less fuel and CO2 emissions are down by a significant 30% as well. The tiny engine features Fiat’s famed multi air technology that uses electro-hydraulic valve actuators thereby doing away with a conventional throttle valve. This system cuts pumping losses and improves efficiency by 10%. A similar system is also found on BMWs called VANOS. The engine also comes standard with a Start-Stop system (idea for India). Just two cylinders mean that the friction is very low among engines. The presence of a ‘soft’ turbocharger means that there is virtually no turbo lag and you get instant boost. Low end response is now stronger and it produces 74lb-ft @ 1900rpm. This engine competes with Fiat’s 1.4L petrol and produces 25% more torque lower down the rev range.

Maintenance is minimal too – you are speaking of an engine with roughly half the number of parts as a four cylinder one. For that extra reliability, the Twinair features long life speak plugs and hydraulic tappets. This briefcase sized engine is 23% shorter than a conventional 4 cylinder engine meaning it can be packed under a very small bonnet or even feature in a rear engine layout. The 900cc parallel two cylinder engine has a balancer shaft to iron out the first order vibration that is prevalent on two cylinder engines. Also take into account that the turbocharged Twinair is 7kg lighter than Fiat’s 1.2L non-turbo FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine) and 13kg less than the 1.4 FIRE. The 1.2 and 1.4 are essentially the same engines found in the in India.

You can read AutocarUK’s that says the engine is relaxed and offers similar performance to the 1.4. It (84bhp version of Fiat 500) can hit a top speed of 174km/h with a sprint to 100km/h complete in just 11 sec, while achieving 25km/l. Fiat will eventually make 400,000 of these engines a year at their Polish manufacturing plant and looking at the engine, we doubt if they are making enough of it.

Don’t attribute the absence of two cylinders to reduced costs. The most important factor for Indians is the price and the Fiat 500 with Twin air currently costs £1400 (Rs 1,00,000) more than the 1.4L four cylinder version making it quite expensive. Blame it on the advanced technologies and development costs that have been incurred. However, two cylinders means two less spark plugs, less friction, reduced maintenance costs, reduced weight and a greener environment. This is just the beginning though. The roadmap for the future has been revealed by Fiat, and it starts with the Twin air. Fiat need to sufficiently localise and prove this engine in the long run in India to establish their superiority. We hope to see the Twinair in Fiat’s 2.5 lakh car that debuts in 2012.

References : Press Release, Wikipedia, Autocar UK and Fiat Automobiles Spa.[/FONT]

Read more on the Fiat 500 Twinair

PRESS RELEASE
TwinAir 85 HP, world preview
The new two-cylinder engine family made by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies, called TwinAir, is debuting in the Fiat 500 today. This is a brand-new concept on the worldwide auto scene and confirms the leadership of the Fiat Group in this field.

Using next-generation technology, the new engine implements the revolutionary MultiAir system combined with special fluid dynamics optimised for maximum fuel efficiency. Furthermore, by taking the concept of downsizing to the extreme and masterfully tuning the basic mechanics, the new family – delivering from 65 to 105 HP – emits 30% less CO2 than an engine of equal performance.

On sale from next September, the 500 will be the first Fiat model to adopt this, which will be the progenitor of a new family of engines: a 85 HP (900 cc) turbo two-cylinder with the lowest CO2 emission for a petrol engine (92 g/km with a Dualogic robotised gearbox and 95 g/km with manual gearbox) without skimping on performance or driving pleasure. This is thanks to the small-sized turbine which, combined with dedicated valve management strategies, minimises transient response times and, at the same time, keeps maximum power levels high. In this way, despite its small size, the engine ensures excellent performance and an appreciable reduction in fuel consumption: compared with a 1.2 8v, the new 85 HP turbo has 23% more power and a 30% better performance index. In fact, the performance of the two-cylinder is not only equivalent to a 1.4 16v, but consumption is a remarkable 30% lower.

Equipped in this way, the Fiat 500 reaches a top speed of 173 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 11 seconds. This remarkable performance corresponds to a significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions: 4.1 l/100 km and 95 g/km respectively on the urban cycle (with manual gearbox), that becomes 4.0 l/100 km and 92 g/km with a Dualogic robotised gearbox. Furthermore, the Fiat 500 with TwinAir 85 HP is provided with an ECO button – positioned on the dashboard – for further cutting fuel consumption in cities and guaranteeing very eco-friendly running. Two driving modes can be selected: Normal and ECO.

In the first mode, the ECO function is off and the engine delivers the maximum available torque (145 Nm), guaranteeing prompt, brilliant response and a “sportier” driving feel. Steering assistance is also specifically calibrated for Normal mode. No indication appears on the dashboard in this mode (City is not selected). Consequently, this configuration is recommended for maximum response and full enjoyment of all available torque.

In ECO mode, instead, the emphasis is on “eco-friendly” engine running: torque delivery is cut off to 100 Nm at 1750 rpm to minimise consumption and promote a driving style more suitable for city traffic. The steering wheel is lighter (CITY mode is automatically selected). The driver only needs to press the specific button on the dashboard to activate the ECO function. The lettering ECO will appear on the panel (the letter “E” will appear on the panel if the car has a Dualogic robotised gearbox). Furthermore, the Dualogic shifting strategy also switches to ECO mode to further optimise fuel consumption.

Furthermore, compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new engine is significantly shorter (-23%) and lighter (-10%), opening the way to further developments, such as methane fuel supply or hybrid technology combinations, again on the theme of greater eco-friendliness. In particular, a methane version of the TwinAir will be available soon providing a further CO2 emission reduction, by adopting a pair of special injectors in addition to the petrol injectors on the intake manifold ducts. Improving on these fuel saving results using internal combustion engines will be difficult and alternative technologies will need to be developed. The combination of traditional engines and electric motors appears particularly promising. Due to its reduced size, the TwinAir is quite suitable for being paired with an electric engine and in general with a device located between the engine and gearbox for recovering and storing the energy that is normally wasted during braking.

Interestingly, the TwinAir 85 HP comes with “Start&Stop” as standard. This device temporarily stops the engine and restarts it, ensuring reductions in fuel consumption and noise in the passenger compartment. The Gear Shift Indicator (GSI) associated to the Start&Stop system is a genuine “co-pilot” that discreetly suggests when to shift gear, leading to more efficient use of the engine in terms of fuel consumption. For example, the GSI may suggest shifting up, by means of an indication on the control panel, to allow the engine to burn a leaner mixture, i.e. one containing less fuel, or shifting down to make best use of the available torque.

Nothing short of an engineering gem, the two-cylinder implements the revolutionary MultiAir technology developed and patented by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies, which was introduced on FIRE engines last year for the first time. The heart of MultiAir is a new electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption by controlling air directly via the inlet valves (without using the throttle). MultiAir reduces polluting emissions (thanks to combustion control) and also considerably improves performance by boosting driveability with respect to a traditional petrol engine of equal displacement. In brief, the advantages of MultiAir technology applied to petrol engines are:

*maximum power boosted by 10% compared with a traditional engine of equal size;
* 15% more torque at low rpm and during transitions by applying early intake valve closing strategies to maximise the air introduced into the cylinders;
less fuel consumption and consequently lower CO2 emissions, equal to 10% by eliminating pumping losses and precise parameter calibration for optimising combustion;
lower polluting emissions from the engine by optimising valve control strategies during the intake stroke;
* prompter response to accelerator commands due to the constant air pressure upstream of the cylinders combined with extremely fast control of the intake valves

Also, the new TwinAir engine takes the concept of downsizing to an extreme: by combining a small-sized engine with a next-generation turbocharger performance comparable to – or even better than – that of a larger engine is obtained but with less fuel consumption and lower emissions. Not only that, the turbo significantly increases the maximum torque, making it available at a very low rpm, with the result of offering greater flexibility and an unrivalled responsiveness compared to conventional aspirated engines. All this comes with a simple build to the benefit of strength and reliability.

Last but not least, the new engine was painstakingly optimised and tuned. For instance, the basic two-cylinder architecture – combined with the low friction of internal parts – ranks this engine best in the world as far as friction is concerned. Furthermore, calculated simulations have been used to identify the best possible unit displacement in terms of thermo-dynamic efficiency, and the best fluid dynamic configuration to optimise and get the best out of the MultiAir system. Finally, special attention has been placed on the NVH (Noise, vibration, and harshness) aspect to ensure vibration performance at least equivalent to that of a four-cylinder, with equal performance but with a characteristic sound. For this purpose, a balancing countershaft was used to maintain optimal vibration levels in all operating conditions of the engine, from idling speed to top power.

[CPH]

The multi air twin engine will come to India.

The 1.1 FIRE engine, which is now only available in the Panda and the 1.2 FIRE engine, which is available in the Panda and the 500 in Europe will be dropped from the range very soon and be replaced by the twin.

Other markets will follow suit.

The multi air system will be soon available for non Fiat engines too.

Fiat tries to pretend that the multi air is developed by Fiat, which is not correct. All Fiat holds is a patent of an idea of a system that could be developed to the multi air.

The mult air is developed and supplied by Schaeffer, who is supplying withing the next 24 months to any maunfacturer,