Alfa Romeo Giulietta to Use Chrysler Hybrid Powertrain

As part of the now almost year-old partnership between Italian manufacturer Fiat and American Chrysler, the research and development of hybrid powertrains will be taken over by the latter, who will develop the technologies for both its vehicles and Fiat's.

The American manufacturer will take care of the raw build of the technology, while the Italians will be in charge of the fine tuning of the powertrain to make it suitable for each brand.

According to Inside Line, the first Italian car to get an American hybrid powertrain will be the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Currently, the car packs several jumpy engines: 1.4TB – 120 HP and 1.4TB MultiAir – 170 HP for petrol and 1.6 JTDM – 105 HP and 2.0 JTDM – 170 HP for diesel, as well as an exclusive 1750 TBi – 235 HP with Quadrifoglio Verde configuration. The hybrid version may still be however some few good year away.

In addition to the hybrids, Fiat and Chrysler are also working a wider version of the "C" platform developed for the Giulietta. Called Compact Wide, it will serve as a base for at least seven new cars belonging to the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands.

The platform weighs 174 kg (10 percent lighter than its predecessor) and is built from 84 percent high and ultrahigh strength steel. It uses McPherson front suspensions, while the rear suspension uses a dual-link layout. For weight-saving purposes, the front suspension arms and the rear suspension crossmember are made from aluminum.