Fiat presented the new Panda city car at the Frankfurt International Motor Show; production will begin in the last quarter of 2011. The new Panda initially will be available with front-wheel drive, with a 4x4 joining later, and will offer a range of 4 engines, 3 gasoline and 1 diesel. The bifuel 80 hp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Natural Power (gasoline/methane) and 69 hp 1.2 EasyPower (gasoline/LPG) will follow.
The range features new two-cylinder engines: the 85 hp 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, named “International Engine of the Year 2011”, and the 65 hp 0.9 Aspirated TwinAir, both equipped with the Start&Stop system as standard. The renewed 69 HP 1.2 Fire completes the range of gasoline engines available at the launch.
| “Air Technologies” |
|---|
| Fiat is grouping all the engine, engineering and conceptual innovations fitted to its current production cars under the heading of “Air Technologies”. |
| Components under the Air Technologies rubric include alternative fuel systems; gearbox and traction management systems; Start&Stop; technical solutions designed to improve vehicle dynamic efficiency (e.g., TwinAir); and the exclusive eco:Drive software that allows drivers to check and correct their driving behavior. |
On the diesel side, the new Panda offers the 75 hp 1.3 Multijet II with Start&Stop supplied as standard. Belonging to the second generation of the MultiJet family, the engine is equipped with faster injectors capable of multiple injections in rapid sequence.
Specifically, the system can now perform a main modulated injection of fuel in several distinct phases and anticipate the ones that follow. The servo valve with balanced plunger of the MultiJet II system enables it to manage up to 8 injections per cycle, offering greater speed, flexibility and precision in the various phases of operation.
The automatic Dualogic robotized transmission, in combination with the TwinAir engine, will become available after the launch. In addition, during the first year of sales, an braking system will also become available which, at speeds below 30km/h, is able to detect obstacles at close range and stop automatically.
The new Panda also offers the Gear Shift Indicator (GSI), a genuine co-pilot that discreetly prompts drivers to change gear, leading to more efficient use of the engine and to reduce fuel consumption.
Fiat built a new production line in the Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano D'Arco (Naples) for the new Panda. Operational innovations introduced in the various departments enable modularity and flexibility.
In its 31 years on the market, the Panda has sold more than 6.5 million units.
Source: Green Car Congress
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