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Fiat technologies, many that cut fuel consumption, to be key for U.S. carmaker
By Mark Phelan
Detroit Free Press
Published on Thursday, Oct 29, 2009
Details of what Italian automaker Fiat will say next week about its plans for Chrysler are unknown, but it's already clear Fiat is more sincere about sharing its technology and engineering capability than Mercedes-Benz ever was during DaimlerChrysler's brief and blighted existence.
Here's a rundown of key Fiat technologies Chrysler should get:
• Multiair valve control
The award-winning valve-control system can reduce fuel consumption 10 percent to 25 percent and cut emissions 40 percent to 60 percent. Multiair uses electronic and hydraulic controls to vary an engine's valve timing and run more efficiently.
Multiair also improves torque, so you can replace existing engines with smaller ones without harming a vehicle's performance.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde subcompact sport coupe's 1.4-liter Multiair engine produces 170 horsepower and gets 41 mpg in European tests.
The system can be added to most of Chrysler's current engines relatively simply and inexpensively.
• Small displacement engines
Fiat builds a wide range of engines smaller than anything Chrysler has. Chrysler's engine plant in Dundee, Mich., could build four-cylinder engines from a Fiat family that includes displacements as small as 1.2 liters.
The Dundee plant's current production ranges from 1.8 to 2.4 liters. Those engines, developed jointly with Hyundai and Mitsubishi while Chrysler was part of DaimlerChrysler, have been a disappointment in terms of power, refinement and fuel economy.
Multiair should be a key component of the new engines. Complementary technologies like turbocharging and direct injection of gasoline can raise power and reduce fuel consumption even more.
• Dual-clutch transmissions
Chrysler transmission development was decimated by the Daimler
Chrysler and Cerberus ownership regimes. The automaker's Mercedes-derived 5-speed automatic functions adequately in big vehicles, like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Ram pickup, but Chrysler canceled a joint venture with Getrag that was to produce dual-clutch automated manual transmissions for smaller models.
Dual-clutch transmissions combine the mechanical components of a manual gearbox with the shifting of an automatic to boost fuel economy. Chrysler needs Fiat's upcoming dual-clutch gearbox, but might have to modify it or come up with another alternative for midsize models.
• Diesel
Fiat's fuel-efficient diesel engines should be a key part of Chrysler's lineup. Fiat is a world leader in the technology, which can cut fuel consumption 30 percent versus a comparable gasoline engine.
Fiat has a strong motivation to get Americans to buy more diesels as an alternative to hybrids, in which it has little expertise. In addition, the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs Chrysler built during its alliance with Daimler have a loyal following.
Watch for Fiat to promote its diesels for Jeeps and Dodge and Chrysler passenger cars.
A rumored plan to replace the Cummins diesel in Dodge Ram trucks with a Fiat engine is more problematic. The Cummins name is solid gold with truckers, and the engine-maker's badge on Ram heavy-duty pickups is a major asset for the Ram.
• Connectivity
Fiat was the first automaker to develop a system with Microsoft to provide hands-free operation of devices like mobile phones and iPods.
Ford dominates the U.S. market for this feature with Sync, but Fiat's expertise can help Chrysler catch up.
In Europe, Fiat uses the software to provide some features Ford does not offer here, including a nifty online community called Ecoville, where drivers compete to be the most fuel efficient in real-world driving.
While Ford's system has the snappy and intuitive name of Sync, Fiat calls its European application Blue & Me.
Details of what Italian automaker Fiat will say next week about its plans for Chrysler are unknown, but it's already clear Fiat is more sincere about sharing its technology and engineering capability than Mercedes-Benz ever was during DaimlerChrysler's brief and blighted existence.
Here's a rundown of key Fiat technologies Chrysler should get:
• Multiair valve control
The award-winning valve-control system can reduce fuel consumption 10 percent to 25 percent and cut emissions 40 percent to 60 percent. Multiair uses electronic and hydraulic controls to vary an engine's valve timing and run more efficiently.
Multiair also improves torque, so you can replace existing engines with smaller ones without harming a vehicle's performance.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde subcompact sport coupe's 1.4-liter Multiair engine produces 170 horsepower and gets 41 mpg in European tests.
The system can be added to most of Chrysler's current engines relatively simply and inexpensively.
• Small displacement engines
Fiat builds a wide range of engines smaller than anything Chrysler has. Chrysler's engine plant in Dundee, Mich., could build four-cylinder engines from a Fiat family that includes displacements as small as 1.2 liters.
The Dundee plant's current production ranges from 1.8 to 2.4 liters. Those engines, developed jointly with Hyundai and Mitsubishi while Chrysler was part of DaimlerChrysler, have been a disappointment in terms of power, refinement and fuel economy.
Multiair should be a key component of the new engines. Complementary technologies like turbocharging and direct injection of gasoline can raise power and reduce fuel consumption even more.
• Dual-clutch transmissions
Chrysler transmission development was decimated by the Daimler
Chrysler and Cerberus ownership regimes. The automaker's Mercedes-derived 5-speed automatic functions adequately in big vehicles, like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Ram pickup, but Chrysler canceled a joint venture with Getrag that was to produce dual-clutch automated manual transmissions for smaller models.
Dual-clutch transmissions combine the mechanical components of a manual gearbox with the shifting of an automatic to boost fuel economy. Chrysler needs Fiat's upcoming dual-clutch gearbox, but might have to modify it or come up with another alternative for midsize models.
• Diesel
Fiat's fuel-efficient diesel engines should be a key part of Chrysler's lineup. Fiat is a world leader in the technology, which can cut fuel consumption 30 percent versus a comparable gasoline engine.
Fiat has a strong motivation to get Americans to buy more diesels as an alternative to hybrids, in which it has little expertise. In addition, the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs Chrysler built during its alliance with Daimler have a loyal following.
Watch for Fiat to promote its diesels for Jeeps and Dodge and Chrysler passenger cars.
A rumored plan to replace the Cummins diesel in Dodge Ram trucks with a Fiat engine is more problematic. The Cummins name is solid gold with truckers, and the engine-maker's badge on Ram heavy-duty pickups is a major asset for the Ram.
• Connectivity
Fiat was the first automaker to develop a system with Microsoft to provide hands-free operation of devices like mobile phones and iPods.
Ford dominates the U.S. market for this feature with Sync, but Fiat's expertise can help Chrysler catch up.
In Europe, Fiat uses the software to provide some features Ford does not offer here, including a nifty online community called Ecoville, where drivers compete to be the most fuel efficient in real-world driving.
While Ford's system has the snappy and intuitive name of Sync, Fiat calls its European application Blue & Me.
Comments
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uniontown, oh
Posted 08:42 AM, 10/29/2009
Chrysler's 5-year plan
Fiat technologies, many that cut fuel consumption, to be key for U.S. carmaker
"....TO BE KEY FOR U.S. CARMAKER"??????
U.S. Carmaker?????
I'm sorry to inform you of this, but when you sold out to the Obama Socialist Group, went ahead and went bankrupt AFTER receiving those billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars, and then allowed yourself to be acquired by the foreign auto maker Fiat; you ceased being a U.S. Carmaker. You are NOW a FOREIGN carmaker.
That is...unless you consider that the 8% stake Obama now has in Chrysler entitles you to be an American Auto manufacturer. But then again...that 8% share that Obama now owns may not necessarily make you an American carmaker since no one REALLY knows what country Obama came from or what country he has chosen to represent for that matter.
akron, oh
Posted 02:05 PM, 10/29/2009
@fat...: You are SO correct.
Back in the 70s, my family lived down the street from Walter Schumm. He was the American engineer that designed the Fiat Spider. He was a horrible engineer, and Fiat had no one that could fix his mistakes. The Spider is known for being one of the worst cars ever built. I have seen no change in their corperate structure, and don't believe they can do anything for Chrysler. They will take the patents, and close the plants in America. They will sell cars in Europe that are better than what they are currently selling.
somewhere near you, OH
Posted 03:36 PM, 10/29/2009
FIAT today is not the same company it was 30 years ago. Knocking it, or ANY company, for what it produced 30 years ago is ignorant at best.
If people stuck to their experiences with asian cars of 30 years ago, they wouldn't be buying them today.
