The innovative 0.9 TwinAir Turbo bi-fuel methane-powered engine received the ‘Best Green Engine of the Year 2013’ title, one of the twelve categories of the prestigious ‘International Engine of the Year Awards’. Now in its 15th edition, the international contest is one of the most significant events on the automotive calendar with the participation of all the major world car manufacturers.
The jury consists of a panel of 76 journalists and industry experts from 36 different countries who recognised the great qualities of the new methane-powered bi-fuel TwinAir Turbo, a cutting-edge engine designed to combine excellent performance levels with financial and environmental sustainability.
The ‘Best Green Engine of the Year 2013’ award was collected today in Stuttgart (Germany) on the occasion of the‘Engine Expo 2013’ event.
The methane-powered bi-fuel TwinAir Turbo engine: one of a kind
Launched last year for the first time on the new Fiat Panda, this innovative two-cylinder engine combines the environmental benefits of methane fuel supply with the power and fun at the wheel ensured by Turbo TwinAir technology. This is demonstrated by its maximum power of 80 HP (59 kW) at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of a generous 140 Nm at just 2,500 rpm. All whilst ensuring reduced fuel consumption and emission levels: for instance, the new Fiat Panda TwinAir Turbo Natural Power produces 86 g/km of CO2,a level among the lowest on the market, and uses just 3.1 kg of methane every 100 km (combined cycle).Specifically, compared to the petrol version, the TwinAir bi-fuel includes specific fuel system components, including the intake manifold, injectors, electronic engine control system and valve seats with specific geometry made of low-wear material. The perfect integration of all components and state-of-the-art technology – such as the MultiAir system and the turbocharger – guarantee maximum reliability and ensure that performance and handling remain the same also when running on methane.
Currently the new 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Natural Power 80 HP is available on theFiat Panda and 500L Natural Power models as well as on the Lancia Ypsilon EcoChic.
TwinAir: multi-award-winning technology ever since its launch in 2011
As early as its début, the TwinAir had already triumphed at the ‘International Engine of the Year Awards 2011’, winning 4 awards: the one for its displacement category (under 1,000 cm3), ‘Best New Engine 2011’, ‘Best Green Engine 2011’ and the ‘International Engine of the Year 2011’ award, the top award in the competition, which began in the United Kingdom in 1999.Today, the family of TwinAir engines includes the 65 HP aspirated petrol version and the 85 HP and 105 HP Turbo version, the latter ranked top of its category in terms of specific power (120 HP/litre). The epitome of the concept of downsizing, the efficient engines in the TwinAir family feature the sophisticated MultiAir technology for the smart management of the intake valves, which affords brilliant performance levels and, concurrently, extremely low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
The same technology that gained the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo engine the ‘Best New Engine’ award in 2010, confirming Fiat’s undisputed leadership in developing and producing small-displacement engines with high technological content and low environmental impact.
Methane, a concrete and readily available alternative
In the field of alternative fuels, Fiat considers that methane engines are now the most appropriate technological choice for contributing to the reduction of pollution in urban areas and the limitation of CO2 emissions. Methane engines minimise the most harmful emissions such as particulate (practically reduced to zero), nitrogen oxide and the most reactive hydrocarbons which cause the formation of other pollutants. They also generate 23% less CO2 compared to petrol engines. Therefore, methane is the “cleanest” and cheapest fuel available today and it is also potentially a source of renewable energy thanks to the development of biomethane.For over 15 years, the Fiat Group has been the leading European original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for methane-fuelled vehicles, the one which offers the widest eco-friendly range with bi-fuel supply (methane/petrol) designed to accommodate the needs of a broad-ranging clientele, including goods transport professionals: between 1997 and today, Fiat has sold over 560,000 Natural Power cars and commercial vehicles.
Lastly, mention must be made that the methane (CNG) range has certainly contributed to a significant extent to the records acknowledged in the latest research by JATO Dynamics, world leader in automotive consultancy and research. Indeed, in 2012, for the sixth year running, Fiat proved to be the brand which recorded the lowest level of CO2 emissions in Europe among the best-selling automotive brands, with an average value of 119.8 g/km. And that’s not all. Over the last 5 years, Fiat has reduced its average emissions by 13%, which is significantly lower than the target of 130 g/km set out by the European Union for 2015.
