The Bio-Hybrid system combines a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine with 130 hp running on petrol or ethanol, a small 4 hp electric motor and two batteries: a 68 Ah lead-acid battery under the bonnet and an 11 Ah lithium-ion battery under the driver's seat. The electric motor assists the engine during acceleration and charges the batteries through regeneration during braking. The transmission is a CVT that mimics a 7-speed automatic.
Fiat claims that 'bio-hybrid' mild hybrid technology has improved the fuel economy of the Fastback model by 11.5 per cent and the Pulse by 10.7 per cent.
Brazil was not chosen as the debut market for the new technology by chance. The country is the second largest producer of ethanol in the world. Here it is made from sugar cane. It was in Brazil that Fiat produced the first car running on pure ethanol in 1979 - the Model 147. And in 2023, 83 per cent of cars sold in the country had an engine capable of running on this fuel.
Stellantis, which owns Fiat, also plans to release full self-driving (HEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) powered by ethanol. General Motors and Honda have also announced similar models. The fight for the Brazilian market continues.
Source: Fiat