Respect the environment, enjoy the many advantages related to homologation as a hybrid and, if you opt for a Be-Hybrid financing from FCA Bank, also plant a tree to help protect the planet. Here is what you can do with the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda which are the first models of the FCA Group in the 'small towns' segment, to adopt the new hybrid technology.
Available from this month, the two Turin city cars will once again revolutionize urban mobility, making the hybrid accessible to everyone thanks to a price list that starts, with the launch promotion, from 10,900 euros.
The heart of these two new models is a specific version of the Firefly 3-cylinder 1.0 engine with intake fuel and direct petrol injection. A deliberately simple engine - confirmed it today in Bologna on the occasion of the road debut of 500 and Panda Hybrid the engine manager, Maria Grazia Lisbon head of powertrain engineering FCA Emea - which is also very light, only 77 kg, to facilitate the achievement and maintenance of the correct thermal regime. The system is composed of a 12 volt BSG (Belt integrated Starter Generator) electric motor and an additional lithium battery.
As it was possible to evaluate in a short test around Bologna, the available power, equal to 70 HP, offers a significant improvement in behavior and important advantages in terms of emissions. Compared to the 69 HP 1.2 Fire engine, the reduction in fuel consumption, and therefore CO2 emissions, is on average 20% and up to 30% for the Panda Cross, without sacrificing performance. A very high ride comfort is also guaranteed, as the BSG system ensures silent and vibration-free re-starts of the thermal engine in the stopping and restarting phases.
It also offers all the advantages of homologation as a hybrid vehicle - in addition to being compliant with the Euro 6d Final regulation - and ensures, according to local regulations, freedom of access to the ZTL and circulation in urban centers, reduction or elimination of the cost of parking in the center and tax breaks.
At the wheel of the 500 Hybrid, as well as the Panda Hybrid, you can appreciate not only the 'roundness' of operation of the new FireFly, silent and ready to respond, but also the evolution of the C514 6-speed manual transmission that was revised to enhance maneuverability and improve efficiency. A result obtained with new low friction bearings and seals, the use of a high efficiency lubricant and an unprecedented ratio for the sixth gear which contributes to improving consumption in the suburban area.
There is also a better noiseless operation, obtained through the optimization of the gearbox support system, and a more stable behavior when cornering, thanks to the lowering of the entire 45 mm power unit and, therefore, of the center of gravity.
From a performance point of view, in comparison with the 69 HP 1.2 Fire engine, the Mild Hybrid engine allows a reduction in consumption, and therefore in CO2 emissions, on average by 20% and up to 30% for the Panda Cross, without compromising on performance. Aside from the numerical values (approved fuel consumption 3.9 / 4.0 l / 100 km with 89 g / km of CO2 for Panda and 3.9 l / 100 km with 88 g / km of C02 for 500) the most interesting of this new propulsion system is represented by the driving style that inevitably ends up being adopted.
The electric unit restarts the thermal engine after stopping and assists it during acceleration, so the driver is encouraged to make the most of this thrifty 'aspect' of the car. The same consideration applies to the function that shuts down the thermal engine - even while driving - below 30 km / h, simply by selecting the neutral position of the gearbox. The maneuver is suggested by an indication on the instrument panel and in this mode of 'sailing' (coasting) the lithium battery powers all the services ensuring control of the car even with the engine off.
Orderable for a few days at a promo price that starts from just € 10,900, the new Hybrid range includes a Launch Edition that enhances with special content the attitude of the two Fiat house icons to always be protagonists thanks to a timeless style and, at the same time, at the same time, to high level endowments.
In particular, the interiors of the Launch Edition are made with fabric made from yarns that use recycled plastic - as part of the Seaqual Initiative - by recovering waste from the sea. And for an even more conscious 'eco' attitude, FCA Bank proposes the Be-Hybrid loan which, in collaboration with Treedom, provides the customer with the possibility of adopting a tree for each contract.
