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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/European_Union_Flag.jpg Fiat has proposed taking a 35% stake in Chrysler in exchange for providing the struggling automaker with a variety of vehicle platforms and engine and transmission technologies to produce the small, fuel-efficient vehicles Chrysler needs. (freep.com/article/20090304/BLOG23/90304029/1014/BUSINESS01/Fiat+aims+to+cut+fuel+use+up+to+25++with+new+tech)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/fiat50_D.jpgMark Phelan - Freep (freep.com) - Mar. 04, 2009

Sounds like Fiat has big plan for Chrysler. What does this mean for them though? -- Ed

GENEVA — On the eve of Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s meeting with the presidential automotive task force to discuss his company’s proposed alliance with Chrysler, the Italian automaker unveiled a new engine technology it says can reduce fuel consumption as much as 25%.

The system is expected to be available to all Fiat’s current and future partners, including Chrysler, Fiat powertrain chief Alfredo Altavilla said at Geneva's annual auto show.

The first engine using the system goes on sale in the Alfa Romeo MiTo sporty compact in Europe later this year. The MiTo is among the cars Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand hopes to sell in the Untied States if its alliance with Chrysler comes to pass.

Called Multiair, the system uses electronic controls and hydraulics to vary an engine’s valve timing over a wider range than the mechanical systems automakers use today. Many automakers have turned to variable valve timing to improve fuel economy and boost performance in recent years.

Development of Multiair began with Fiat’s Ferrari Formula 1 racing team. The system will initially be fitted to Fiat’s family of 1.0-liter… http://www.freep.com/article/20090304/BLOG23/90304029/1014/BUSINESS01/Fiat+aims+to+cut+fuel+use+up+to+25++with+new+tech

Well, if the choice is to "let Chrysler go bankrupt" or "give the sucker away to Fiat, with some sort of wedding gift" (that Cerebus doesn't get it's hands on), I guess it's the lesser of two weavels.

From the article - "Development of Multiair began with Fiat’s Ferrari Formula 1 racing team.
The system will initially be fitted to Fiat’s family of 1.0-liter to 1.4-liter four-cylinder engines."

An interesting note is that these engines don't displace much more than just one cylinder in the 8.4L V10 Viper engine, and they are installed in cars that have double the passenger capacity of the Viper.

The past ads asking, "Does that thing have a Hemi?" will have to give way to "Does that thing have Multiair?"

Does that thing have one eighth of a Hemi?

well chrysler has enough cylinders in the viper to support a car lot of Fiats.

Considering the Dodge "Ram" logo, where trucks are driving around out there with a silly chromed disembodied head of a male sheep, I get this visual image in my head that just makes me laugh.

I am thinking back to "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", in the scene where the Grinch is trying to put a large set of horns on his small dog to create a reindeer. The horns are so large that the rear end of the dog lifts off the ground, so he needs to continue cutting the horns down to equalize the dog's weight and balance. Something tells me that Chrysler engineers may run into the same problem when they try to put a huge set of ram-horns on the diminutive Fiat 500 in order to market it as "Ram Tough". :)

Let's hope the 500 comes here as it appears above and not with a comical half-scale gunsight grille.

"well chrysler has enough cylinders in the viper to support a car lot of Fiats."

(yeah, or a whole swarm of Tata's)

It will also be used on an upcoming line of 900cc two-cylinder engines the automaker has developed for use in small cars.

Oh, that would be fun, flogging a 0.9 liter car! My motorcycle has a 1.1 liter motor, but a small car with a 0.9 liter would work, with a 5-speed manual and a spirit of adventure!

The problem I see is the American consumer. I hope Fiat realizes that Joe Sixpack wants a FSP hulk Ram, not a fuel-efficient small car. Too much threat to his "manliness."

Harry

One of my first cars (a Triumph Herald sedan) had a 948cc 4cyl engine... it was a blast to toss around. It did become a donor in a very short time for my Triumph Herald 'sport' convertible which had a transplanted 1296cc out of a MkIII Spitfire...

Earthling, my car has a .8 liter (800 cc) diesel and has enough torque that I hardly need to gear down on hills. Accelerates fine in traffic. Likely better fuel economy than your BMW bike.

If Joe Sixpack wants to keep flogging his old Ram or buy another FSP to compensate for his shortcomings, that's his choice. Think of it as an ignorance tax at the pump. Meanwhile, the world evolves without him.

This can't be right. I'm pretty sure I read "Alfa Romeo...United States". Could we maybe arrange a trade? Like, they can have all our ugly cars and we'll take all their pretty ones?

If Joe Sixpack wants to keep flogging his old Ram or buy another FSP to compensate for his shortcomings, that's his choice. Think of it as an ignorance tax at the pump. Meanwhile, the world evolves without him.

A big part of Chrysler's problem is that their entire marketing campaign of the last 15 years has been promoting their vehicles as some sort of testosterone replacement therapy for aging males...what a pathetic way to try to sell vehicles!

Harry

Remember when Chrysler used to try and sell their cars by having puppets say "that thing scares the #### out of me!"? They thought the world wanted ugly, scary cars.

So now the strategy is to make ugly scary cars with small engines to try and boost their economy? How about a pretty car that is aerodynamic!!