The launch of the hybrid model of the Fiat 500 by 2025 is nice information, nevertheless it additionally appears pose an actual headache for Stellantis engineers. As a reminder, it is Could 2024 when Carlos Tavares, ex-CEO of Stellantis, introduced the event of this new hybrid versionin response to disappointing gross sales of the electrical Fiat 500. In line with the Italian media Torino Cronacabehind this transition, hides a weight downside which might compromise the long run small metropolis automobile’s efficiency and CO2 emissions.
The electrical Fiat 500, which weighs round 1,350 kg, of which nearly 300 kg is devoted to the battery.presents some attention-grabbing options for an electrical metropolis automobile. The least highly effective model, with 95 hp and 220 Nm of torque, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and presents dynamic metropolis driving. Compared, the long run Fiat 500 hybrid, which is able to inherit the FireFly 1.0L 70 hp BSG combustion engine already used within the Fiat Panda, might weigh much more than the latter’s 970 kg.
Why do you ask? The reply lies within the addition of the combustion engine (93 kg), gasoline tank, exhaust system and all of the parts required for this new hybrid powertrain. Certainly, by eradicating the battery (300 kg) and the electrical motor (weight unknown) and including the combustion engine, and including the powertrain that had already been built-in into an earlier model of the Fiat 500 hybrid from 2020 (weight 980 kg), all this might to a further weight in relation to the latter. As soon as all the brand new parts are put in, it is arduous to not exceed the load of the Fiat Panda (970 kg) and the earlier Fiat 500 hybrid (980 kg), with out degrading the automobile’s general efficiency.
If the brand new Fiat 500 Hybrid does certainly transform heavier than the outdated 500 Hybrid, this can inevitably have a destructive influence on its efficiency. an influence on efficiency and gasoline consumptiont. The earlier model, weighing 980 kg and boasting 70 hp and 92 Nm of torque, took 13.8 seconds to speed up from 0 to 100 km/h. In comparison with this model, the essential 95 hp electrical 500, though dearer, is far sooner, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 9.5 seconds. The longer term hybrid model might due to this fact discover itself in a fragile scenario with decrease efficiency.
As well as, the addition of the inner combustion engine brings additionally CO2 emissions. The outdated 500 hybrid, with its emissions of 108 g CO2/km, dangers being surpassed by way of CO2 emissions by the brand new hybrid model, particularly if the load of the automobile will increase.
Confronted with this dilemma, one resolution might lie within the adoption of the 130hp 1.5L engine, already seen on different Fiat fashions such because the Tipo or the 500X. This engine, extra highly effective and suited to bigger automobiles, might assist compensate for the elevated weight whereas sustaining good efficiency. Nevertheless, the introduction of this engine wouldn’t be with out technical issues. Plus, Olivier François, CEO of Fiat, has introduced the Fiat Panda engine.
Fiat engineers appear to be caught in an actual dilemma. If including a hybrid combustion engine to an electrical automobile heavier than the earlier hybrid model The brand new engine’s efficiency and CO2 emissions make it unlikely {that a} easy resolution will ever be discovered. With a goal date of 2025, Fiat nonetheless has time to search out options.
