2010 Fiat 500 To Get 900cc Turbo Two-Cylinder Petrol Engine, 17 New Models Coming

IN A PRESENTATION to the Italian Government and union officials, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that the Fiat 500 will get a 900cc turbo-charged two-cylinder petrol engine from next year.

Featuring Fiat's MultiAir technology, the Small Gasoline Engine (SGE) will be available in both naturally aspirated and turbo form. The turbo version is said to produce power on par with larger naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines.

According to Fiat, the main appeal for the SGE engine lies in its greater fuel efficiency and lower Co2 emissions, thanks to its lighter construction.

Two turbo-charged versions are expected to be produced, one developing 60kW and a more powerful 78kW version sitting above it. A naturally aspirated version is expected, developing 48kW.

The engine is expected to be offered as the entry-level or ultra-efficient eco-friendly version of the Fiat 500, along with the Panda and Punto.

Marchionne said that Fiat plans to invest more than 13 billion dollars in the next three years to increase annual production from 650,000 to around one million units.

Fiat plans to launch 17 new models and 13 updated versions of existing models in the next two years, including a Fiat-branded crossover developed for Europe by Chrysler.