Fiat Automobiles confirmed as the most "environmentally friendly" brand in Europe. Fiat 500 has the lowest CO2 emissions of the 20 best-selling models

Of the ten best selling automotive brands in Europe, Fiat Automobiles registered the lowest average CO2 emissions on cars sold in the first half of 2010: 123.5 g/km (with respect to 2009, it has recorded a further improvement of 4.3 g/km).

The record was corroborated by JATO, a world leader in automotive advisory and research services, founded in 1984 and now operating in over 40 countries. The bottom line shows Fiat ahead of Toyota (128.0 g/km), Peugeot (132.3 g/km), Citroen (133.4 g/km), Renault (134.6 g/km), Ford (137.0 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (141.0 g/km), Volkswagen (142.2 g/km), Audi (154.2 g/km) and BMW (154.5 g/km).



Of the 20 best selling models in Europe, the Fiat 500 is ranked first with an exceptional value of 116.0 g/km of CO2 (with respect to 2009, it has improved by 3.9 g/km), the Fiat Panda comes second (118.9 g/km) and the Fiat Punto is in fourth place (123.5 g/km).



Fiat’s commitment has always aimed at the real needs of the public but it doesn't stop there. The ecological achievement is the result of a long-term strategy based on a two-pronged approach: implementing technological solutions aimed at containing consumption and emissions and raising the awareness of motorists to encourage a more responsible, eco-compatible use of their cars.



Firstly, unique, exclusive engines, such as the unprecedented TwinAir two-cylinder (85 HP) which debuted precisely on the Fiat 500 (saloon and cabrio). It should also be noted that the Fiat 500 TwinAir is equipped with the turbo petrol engine with the lowest average emission levels in the world: 92 g/km with Dualogic robotized gearbox and 95 g/km with manual gearbox.



In this way, despite its small size (875 cmc), the new engine ensures excellent performance and an appreciable reduction in fuel consumption: compared with a 1.4 100 HP, the 85 HP TwinAir records a torque increase of 25% at 2000 rpm despite a 30% decrease in fuel consumption. All this ensures greater driving satisfaction and reduced emissions.



Innovative solutions which are already available today include MultiAir technology for petrol engines: by implementing a new electro-hydraulic valve control system, combustion is optimal at all times, CO2 emissions are cut by 25% and power is increased by 10% at the same time. State-of-the-art technology is also implemented in the field of diesel engines, with second-generation 1.3 MultiJet engines delivering a power of up to 95 HP. With 8 injections per cycle, the 1.3 MultiJet II improves low rpm torque delivery by up to 25% and cuts emissions by 6%.



Furthermore, Fiat has other innovative eco-tech solutions not strictly related to motor engineering, like the Start&Stop system, introduced on most models of the Euro 5 range, which temporarily stops the engine and starts it up again when the engine is idling and the car is stationary: this reduces average fuel consumption by up to 12% on the urban cycle.



The second approach of the Fiat environmental protection strategy consists in raising the awareness of motorists to promote an increasingly more responsible, eco-compatible use of their cars.



These principles are implemented in eco:Drive, innovative software for analyzing driving behavior and helping motorists to optimize consumption and emissions by connecting through the USB port of the Blue&Me system. eco:Drive is the first and only system able to offer drivers authentic trip data and personal tips based on their driving style.



Since it was launched in October 2008, the application has been downloaded (free of charge from www.fiat.com/ecodrive) approximately 140,000 times and is habitually used by nearly 50,000 motorists. This is remarkable success in terms of popularity and above all a success for the environment, considering that the eco:Ville community has saved in total nearly 3,000 tons of CO2 . With eco:Drive, Fiat therefore set out to think not only of its own products but also of its own users by encouraging them to help reduce automotive transport-related emissions.



Source: Fiat Group Auto Press Release

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- Wednesday, October 06, 2010