Fiat Introduces Two Diesel 4x4s

30 November 2005

4x4 = Sedici

Fiat is introducing two new diesel four wheel-drive vehicles at the Bologna Motor Show: a new compact SUV and new Panda CROSS supermini.

The new compact SUV Sedici’s (Sedici means “16” in Italian. 4x4 (four-wheel drive)= 16) design was developed in conjunction with Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign company as part of the Fiat-Suzuki manufacturing project.

The Sedici offers a 1.6-liter gasoline engine as well as the 1.9-liter Multijet diesel, both combined with five- or six-speed manual gearboxes. The Panda Cross offers only a 1.3-liter Multijet diesel.

The inline, four-cylinder, eight-valve Multijet delivers power of 120 hp (88 kW) at 4,000 rpm and a torque of 280 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The power unit has undergone several engineering changes to increase performance and engine torque at low speeds and to reduce noise and vibration levels.

An electronically-controlled turbocharger with variable geometry turbine helps improve power delivery while also allowing very high torque delivery even at low rpms—90% of maximum torque is available between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm.

The 1.9 Multijet engine also meets Euro 4 standards due to its EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) emission control system that includes an electrically-operated valve managed directly by the engine control system, a heat exchanger for cooling recirculated exhaust gases and a close-coupled catalytic converter.

A self-regenerating DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is standard equipment. The engine control unit manages the regeneration process automatically according to the amount of carbon that has accumulated in the filter and vehicle service conditions without the need for additives and without requiring any particular maintenance operations.

Panda CROSS

The 1.6-liter gasoline engine develops power of 79 kW (107 hp) at 5,600 rpm and torque of 145 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The new engine is fitted with a VVT (Variable Valve Timing) system that allows the intake and exhaust valve timing to be varied. This system optimizes cylinder filling and also allows internal EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) to be implemented by making intake and exhaust valve opening overlap for a considerable improvement in emission and performance.

This ensures combustion is more complete and improves performance. A Fiat Sedici with this engine can achieve a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) with European combined-cycle fuel consumption of 7.1 l/100 km over mixed routes (33 mpg US).

The Panda CROSS is the latest in the line of Panda 4x4s. The 1.3-liter Multijet develops 51 kW (70 hp) at 4,000 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm, and is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox. Thus equipped, the Panda CROSS with this unit can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 18 seconds and reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).

The CROSS offers combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.3 l/100km (44.4 mpg US), and CO₂ emissions of 141 g/km.