Fiat Uno 2017 debuts new global engines family and gets sophisticated technology package

The 2017 Uno also comes with new technologies. Electric-powered steering with City function standard in all versions, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), Hill Holder, Anti Slip Regulation (ASR), Tip Start, new supergreen tires, among others.

The 2017 Fiat Uno also increased the Start&Stop offer, which now comes as standard in all configurations with the 1.3-liter engine, including those equipped with the Dualogic automated transmission.

Externally, the 2017 Fiat Uno arrives with a more modern and beautiful design. It received new grille and front bumper, in addition to alloy wheels on Way and Sporting models and new strips on Sporting. The already sophisticated and recognized interior, recently fully refurbished, received new design for the dashboard with 3.5-inch Hi-Res LCD display at the instrument cluster, complemented by comfort and convenience items such as a 6.2-inch-screen multimedia system, rearview camera, electric rearview mirrors with tilt-down function, multifunctional steering wheel, trip computer and paddle shifts on Dualogic models.

The complete and comprehensive line-up formed by six configurations, all with four-door body: Attractive 1.0 Flex, Way 1.0 Flex, Way 1.3 Flex, Sporting 1.3 Flex, Way 1.3 Flex Dualogic and Sporting 1.3 Flex Dualogic.

New global engines family, symbol of power and efficiency

The new 2017 Fiat Uno is the first global-scale vehicle of FCA to receive the new global family of small engines – the Firefly family. It was developed to meet the strictest energy efficiency, emissions and durability rules and standards worldwide. The new engines not only comply with the Euro 6 and Proconve L6 resolutions as they are prepared for the new steps of these programs and were approved in rigorous tests of the U.S. market, which provides for minimum durability of 150,000 miles or 240,000 km.

The new 1.0-liter 3-cylinder and 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engines equipping the 2017 Uno adopt a 2-valves-per-cylinder architecture with optimized geometry – a first for a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine. It results in best-in-class higher power output, higher torque in low revs of their respective categories and low fuel consumption.

The advanced combustion system of the new Flex-Fuel engines provide greater efficiency both with ethanol and gasoline, representing the new state-of-the-art for engines with two valves per cylinder: the 1.0-liter delivers 72 horsepower and 102 Nm of (gasoline) and 77 horsepower and 106.9 Nm (ethanol), while the 1.3-liter produces 101 horsepower and 134 Nm (gasoline) and 109 horsepower and 139 Nm (ethanol).

The figures show that the new family is unbeatable in low-rev torque – allowing the engine to work on reduced rpm, ensuring greater fuel economy, lower emissions, greater silence aboard and more enjoyable driving.

With modular construction and aluminum blocks, this new family includes 3- and 4-cylinder versions with the same single piston and cylinder dimensions for both cases. This design allows sharing several components, streamlining the production and facilitating maintenance, because the same component can serve the two engines, 1.0- and 1.3-liter.

Its development was based on two key concepts for its category:

• Efficiency: being reference in low consumption combined with excellent performance.

• Reliability: solid and sturdy construction, resulting in high durability.

The modern design of the new family also provided these engines the highest compression ratio in the segment (13.2:1), above most engines with four valves per cylinder and direct injection available in the global market.

The 2017 Fiat Uno brings electric-assisted steering as standard in all versions and many technological safety resources. Besides the dual airbag and ABS brakes with EBD as standard, the electronic brake unit now offers several new important functions to increase the safety of passengers:

• ESC (Electronic Stability Control): Controls the stability of the vehicle by means of applying the brakes individually at each wheel and controlling engine torque to limit the loss of control by slippage in a emergency, like a quick lane change. In a glance, it identifies a dangerous situation and stabilizes the car by braking the wheels individually.

• TC (Traction control): Limits slippage of one single traction wheel, transferring the equivalent torque by the differential to the other wheel, allowing the vehicle accelerate properly.

• Hill Holder: Helps the driver in uphill starts with application, maintenance and release of brake during the maneuver, preventing the car from moving backwards accidentally. Until then, in the Fiat line-up, this device was only fitted in the Toro, 500 and Bravo T-Jet.

• ASR (Anti-Spin Regulation): Allows the vehicle to start or accelerate in wet or slippery floors, preventing the wheels from slipping, thus decreasing the loss of grip and also premature or uneven wear of tires.

• HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist): Helps the driver to achieve and maintain ABS intervention during an emergency braking maneuver, reducing the braking distance.

• ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation): Prevents or reduces the loss of contact with the ground in quick maneuvers, like avoiding an obstacle.

These functions can be fitted in the 2017 Fiat Uno from the entry-level Attractive 1.0 model.

The Start&Stop system, which aims at fuel economy – with gains of up to 20% – and fewer emissions, is now standard in all 1.3-liter versions, including those with Dualogic transmission.

NEW ENGINE PLANT

The most modern engine production unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in the world is located in the Fiat Automotive Hub (Polo Automotivo Fiat), in Betim (MG). The new premises received around R$ 1 billion in investments to produce the Firefly 1.0- and 1.3-liter engines, with 3 and 4 cylinders, respectively. The debut is in the new 2017 Uno. “The new engines are produced in the most advanced manufacturing process and are accredited to compete in the most demanding global markets”, noted Mauro Pino, FCA Latam Head of Manufacturing. With 22,000 sq. mt. of building area and capacity to produce 400,000 thrusters a year, the unit was over 30 months, completely remodeled and expanded to receive 186 high-performance and precision robots. This process included the involvement of around 200 companies, 80% of them in Brazil.

All production steps of the engine are gathered in a single location, from block machining, crankshaft axis and head to assembly lines. With high technology on board, the entire process is connected to a management center, the best example of interaction between man and machine. The new unit was structured to deliver to the market engines that are 100% tested, after every manufacturing step.

The precision of the manufacturing process allows full traceability of each component fitted. “We have the DNA of every engine”, Pino added. Among the innovative aspects, one of the highlights is the use of the "data bolt" technology during the engine block and cylinder head machining. It is a kind of screw that stores the full history of components, such as date and time spent on a particular machine, which tool was used, quality tests, among other information.