Chrysler Presents Fiat’s 1.4 FIRE Multiair Engine

The fruits of this summer's Fiat – Chrysler deal are now ripe and they can be harvested. The American side announced today it will introduce Fiat's 1.4l in-line four-cylinder Fully Integrated Robitized Engine (FIRE) with Multiair technology in the 2010 Fiat 500 which will be sold in the US.

The engine features four valves per cylinder and Fully Variable Valve Actuation (FVVA), known to Fiat's fans as Multiair. The technology allows the engine to provide 10 percent more power, while at the same time keeping fuel consumption and emissions 10 percent down compared with a regular engine.

The unit develops 100 horsepower (75 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb.-ft. (129 Nm) of torque at 4,250 rpm. Chrysler and Fiat also plan a turbo version of the engine which, according to them, provides an improvement in fuel economy of about 25 percent when compared with a regular V6.

The unit will be produced by Chrysler in its Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Michigan. The carmaker announced earlier it will pump $179 million in the facility to fit it with the right equipment for producing the engine. Production will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.

"This is one more important step forward that demonstrates our intent to deliver on the promise of the Fiat-Chrysler strategic alliance and the substance of the road map we laid out in November," said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group LLC Chief Executive Officer.