FIAT 500L LIVING PASSES THE BOSCH 'DIESEL CHALLENGE' TEST

Turin-Paris, nearly 800 kilometers (500 miles) without refueling. The feat was achieved by the Fiat 500L Living cars with a 1.6 MultiJet II 105 HP Bosch Common Rail diesel engine.

With less than $40 euro of diesel: the distance was covered on an average of 27 liters of fuel (7 US gallons), corresponding to approximately 30 kilometres per liter or 71.42mpg US. Burning B20 that would be 85.70 mppg (Miles Per Petroleum Gallon).

The new turbo diesel ensures fun, outstanding range, low running costs and more miles before servicing.

Even more remarkable was the performance of a professional driver who drove the same distance on only 20.9 liters of fuel, equal to more than 38 kilometers per liter. The same excellent results were registered by the teams who traveled back from Paris to Turin, again without stopping for fuel.

Fitted with a small fixed geometry turbocharger, a variable displacement oil pump and 'smart charge' alternator, the 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet on Fiat 500L Living is a second generation MultiJet engine which ensures category topping economy, eco-friendliness and performance. The secret of its performance lies in the new fuel supply system with faster injectors capable of multiple injections in rapid succession. Specifically, the MultiJet II system's servo valve technology with balanced shutter is capable of managing up to eight injections per cycle, offering greater speed, flexibility and precision in the various phases of operation.

The injector is also simpler and more reliable because its construction is less complex and it has 40% fewer components. This new type of injector paves the way for new strategies focused on optimizing the increasingly advanced combustion, such as Injection Rate Shaping, which involves two consecutive injections so close together in time as to generate a continuous and modulated profile of the fuel supply into the cylinders. With this method, the combustion process is improved, with advantages in terms of quieter operation and particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Today, MultiJet II engines fully comply with the Euro 5 standard and at the same time mark a decisive step toward stricter regulatory levels in the future. Naturally, the Start&Stop system is a must, while engine and transmission use low viscosity lubricant oil to minimize friction.

The result achieved in the first edition of the Bosch 'Diesel Challenge' highlights the costs benefits of diesel powered cars for long-distance trips, even more so if they can accommodate many occupants providing plenty of comfort and space to everyone at the same time. Just like the Fiat 500L Living, the perfect combination of efficient use of space and unmistakable Fiat design. By adding a third row of seats, the new car becomes the most compact '5+2 seater' MPV in its category: in only 4.35 meters, the car has room for either seven people or five people and no less than 638 liters of load, the largest in its market sector.

Fiat 500L Living is a real 'living space', a new concept which is based not only on technical features but above all on a different way to experience a car. Moreover, Fiat has always been the byword for innovative models bringing sophisticated, easy-to-use technological solutions and contents which provide answers to real everyday mobility needs and to the increasing social awareness towards communications, the environment and safety.

It is no coincidence that the Fiat 500L is packed with appropriately simplified 'human-friendly' interfaces to facilitate access to the network access, navigation and infotainment systems. An example? The Fiat 500L Living fleet that took part in the 'Diesel Challenge' was equipped with Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi 4G Internet connection, the innovative Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting up to 10 devices and surfing the web at 4G speed up to 70 Mbps at the same time. A simple, user-friendly solution for passengers to stay connected on the road.

There is more: by using the Uconnect integrated devices fitted in their cars, the competing teams benefited from the eco:Drive Live, the application developed by Fiat to help drivers cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by monitoring driving style in real time and providing tips for even more eco-friendly motoring.

The Fiat 500L Living cars for the Bosch event were also equipped with Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres, the first implementing innovative FuelSaving Technology to reduce rolling resistance, responsible for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as a consequence.

Finally, it is worth noting that Bosch and Fiat engineers have been improving diesel technology since 1990 and have succeeded in drastically decreasing emissions (nitrogen oxide emissions by 96% and participle emissions by 98%). Also, diesel engines consume 30% less fuel than traditional petrol engines allowing an increase in range of up to 40%. From the point of view of performance, maximum torque is already delivered at low rpm to secure a dynamic driving experience. For these reasons, diesel engines are appreciated worldwide, and particularly in Europe where one new registration out of two is a diesel.