Fiat announces Panda and 500 Mild Hybrid
FCA finally hops on the hybrid bandwagon with electrified three-cylinder city cars
In what's described as the beginning of the electrification of FCA - better late than never, right? - Fiat has released to the world a pair of hybrid city cars: the 500 and Panda. Yes, they are still being made, and with technology will surely continue for a little while longer.
The Mild Hybrid models - that's the name, not just the technology - will be powered by a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder from the 'Firefly' family of engines, allied to a 12-volt Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BSG). It's mounted directly onto the engine, driven off the auxiliary belt, and is capable of energy recovery during both acceleration and deceleration. That energy is then stored in a 11 Ah lithium battery, which can assist the Panda and 500 during acceleration and also get the engine going again when stop-start is employed.
In addition, the mild hybrid system can also allow the combustion engine to be turned off entirely; Fiat says a prompt will appear on the dash telling drivers when to shift into neutral. All told, CO2 on the Panda and 500 is said to improve by 30 per cent against the old combustion-engined version.
That shifting will be done via a revised (more efficient lubricant, low-friction bearings) six-speed manual gearbox, which will probably see pretty regular use given power and torque peaks of 70hp (at 6,000rpm) and 68lb ft at 3,500. Still, wouldn't be a small Italian car if it didn't need to be driven with some brio, would it? Drivers will be encouraged to do so, in fact - or so it seems - by the fact that this replacement engine for the 1.2 weighs just 77kg and is mounted 45mm lower than before, benefitting the centre of gravity.
Hybridistas don't have long to wait for their small Fiat fix, either, as the 500 is in showrooms next month and the Panda is following in March. Initially a Launch Edition will be offered, boasting Dew Green paint, 'Hybrid' badges and Seaqual Yarn seats, made from recycled plastic. But of course. Prices and full specs to follow soon!
Currently having a 1.5l 48v mild hybrid from another brand and loving it, I can only hope Fiat put their mild hybrid version into a Panda 4x4 and I can work out a reason to have one.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing btw but not terribly newsworthy....
Manufacturers love them because it's cheap and easy to package and reduces CO2 ratings a bit (every little helps with fleet average CO2 and fines). Consumer confusion is all in their benefit.
Having owned not only both a Panda and a 500 but a mini and had access to other small hatchbacks/city cars surely these are some of the most versatile and stylish available?
You can go cheap 1.2 or Abarth even diesel, customise in many ways and they are fun to drive. The Panda uses the same platform for 4 doors and has a little more practicality plus you can get a 4x4 which is likely more capable than most would need (just check out youtube).
With a few refreshes here and there the design and technology are still current, why not.
I wasn't even aware what the term 'mild hybrid' was (OK, my ignorance). I think I'll wait until the the 'Trinidad Moruga Scorpion hybrid' version comes along I guess.....
Not only confusing buyers, but also devaluing the use of the word "hybrid". But at least Fiat do say "mild".
- Integrated starter generator (replacing starter motor and alternator)
- Battery (small compared to a full hybrid like a Prius)
- Electronics
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