27 replies to this topic

[66coronet]

patfromigh, on March 5, 2012 at 10:48 am, said:

Fiat's Official video of the 500L. Will this replace the PT Cruiser?

http://video.fiatpre...fiat/post/30468

It depends who's looking at it. For some sure it will and for others like me, nope. 1) It doesn't have that 1938-41 fat fender look. 2)I don't think the back seats will come out like the PT, 3)Back storage area probably doesn't have a hard shelf that can hold 200+lbs at 2 levels. I like my 3 levels of storage in my PT. 4)pt's passenger seat folds flat.
Looks to me more like a Caliber replacement. Folding back seating.
So I am assuming it's similar to the 500 as for fold back seating.
http://www.autoblog....0l-geneva-2012/
http://carsobsessed....2013-fiat-500l/

Edited by 66coronet, March 9, 2012 at 06:20 am.

[RVC]

patfromigh, on March 7, 2012 at 04:55 pm, said:

I'm having a hard time finding any information on the E-Torq in English. A lot of stuff from the FPT website disappeared when the industrial and automotive sides of Fiat were split. Here is a link to an old article.

http://www.just-auto...s_id105146.aspx

That's true! I'm really bugged about it too.
Well, try this one http://www.theautoch.../09/486335.html, and I guess you could find some more info in some Brazilian website (I found this one http://www.infomotor...para-o-mercado/ ), but basically FIAT bought the old BMW/Chrysler TRITEC plant (whe they bult a family of engines based on the Neon 1.6L 4-pot IIRC), and had FPT redesign the engines to the point where "70% of the engine is new, including components such as blocks, crankshafts, connecting rods, pistons, intake manifolds, valvetrains, electronic injection systems, engine wheels, water pump and power steering, valve caps, cylinder heads and injection nozzles.".
AFAIK it's a really popular engine in Brazil, with the only "complaint" being that since its an aluminium block it can't be rectified, and down there it's almost normal to have a block rectified even 3-4 times during its life.

Last year they also launched the new 1.8L version that is also used in the Brazilian Doblò.

Edited by RVC, March 10, 2012 at 05:19 am.

[patfromigh]

The Tritec had a cast iron block. FPT never really comes out and says they changed the design to an aluminum block. They just state their motor compares favorably with competing aluminum block motors. The FIRE has a cast iron block. They would have to add another foundry to change block material for the E-Torq.

So any news on the Air-Torq?

[neneds]

patfromigh, on March 11, 2012 at 08:41 am, said:

The Tritec had a cast iron block. FPT never really comes out and says they changed the design to an aluminum block. They just state their motor compares favorably with competing aluminum block motors. The FIRE has a cast iron block. They would have to add another foundry to change block material for the E-Torq.

So any news on the Air-Torq?

Here is a google translation: http://translate.goo...p=20916&act=url

It's a Brazilian website. The owner of Autossegredos take spyphotos of Fiat test cars, plus he knows a lot of inside information about Fiat products for Brazil and Latin America.

[patfromigh]

It would be truly ironic if the NAFTA 500L shows up with a motor built in the plant which used to supply the Mini.

BTW, good find on the news link.

Edited by patfromigh, March 14, 2012 at 09:17 pm.

[Berlin Bill]

Given the overall preference of more than 2 or 3 doors to a majority of potential consumers, the 500L should more than double sales at the FIAT dealers - oops, I mean FIAT Studios.

[Dan Minick]

patfromigh, on March 11, 2012 at 08:41 am, said:

The Tritec had a cast iron block. FPT never really comes out and says they changed the design to an aluminum block. They just state their motor compares favorably with competing aluminum block motors. The FIRE has a cast iron block. They would have to add another foundry to change block material for the E-Torq.

FIRE, which Fiat is still saying is the greatest thing since sliced pasta, basic design dates (If I remember correctly) from the 1980s.
FIRE=Fully Integrated Robotized Engine.  It was a big deal back then, with assembly supposedly being such that not a human hand ever touched it, just push the "GO" button on the factory, and go get the engines off the end of the line.  (well, maybe not quite that simple)

[grant]

Dan Minick, on March 16, 2012 at 01:17 pm, said:

FIRE, which Fiat is still saying is the greatest thing since sliced pasta, basic design dates (If I remember correctly) from the 1980s.
FIRE=Fully Integrated Robotized Engine.  It was a big deal back then, with assembly supposedly being such that not a human hand ever touched it, just push the "GO" button on the factory, and go get the engines off the end of the line.  (well, maybe not quite that simple)

I thought these engines were related in name only. Then again I could be wrong (I probably am lol)