4C likely get new 300bhp 1.8 engine

[Padders]

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...111009992/1494

[RuiX8]

They are coming out with incredible engines.. Downsizing is the way, but technology still gives us power and punch..
How about this engine in a 'Giulietta GTA' ?

[davidjwbailey]

well, I was asking for a 1.8MA engine :-)
this would be incredible, but:

1 - the promised a weight figure of 800lbs. is the added HP to cover up the fact they cannot reach the Power to Weight target?
2 - I'll believe it when I see it (and it was not on the FIAT spa product road map presented just a couple of weeks ago, so I think some solid FIAT spa evidence is actually required before we start planning our standing start times ...)

[davidjwbailey]

but, then again, this is being very widely syndicated, and is verified by FIAT spa and ALFA, so



WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[jukkha156]

Wow, this is great news!! Way to go Alfa. GTA's in the pipeline surely?

FPT are definetely up there with the best engines, just need more Alfa models to put them in!!

[AlfaMartini]

This is beginning to look really good... I need to start building my 4C fund Now!!

[Stu GTV]

Plenty of time to start selling body organs..........

[AlfaMartini]

The one thing I wont be selling is my GTA...

[MikeX159]

Italiaspeed.com have details and suggest it might be a development of the Chrysler WGE range of engines - and that it might even be built in Michigan, so it seems that FIAT are playing politics again. Sounds like a story that will run and run

[Ubizzle]

Originally Posted by davidjwbailey

well, I was asking for a 1.8MA engine :-)
this would be incredible, but:

1 - the promised a weight figure of 800lbs. is the added HP to cover up the fact they cannot reach the Power to Weight target?
2 - I'll believe it when I see it (and it was not on the FIAT spa product road map presented just a couple of weeks ago, so I think some solid FIAT spa evidence is actually required before we start planning our standing start times ...)

I just posted in the other thread, but the production target is said to be 850, but it has been said by Alfa officials it will probably be 900kg, although they'll try to make sure it's lower.

Also, won't an aluminium engine of the same size/displacement be lighter, meaning it will actually help it get to that target?

This at least gives me a little hope of some serious Alfa Romeo cars of the future (and some real Alfa engines with a bit of power. It might not be a Busso V6, but it isn't a GM motor either)

[GTA_Nigel]

Originally Posted by MikeX159

Italiaspeed.com have details and suggest it might be a development of the Chrysler WGE range of engines - and that it might even be built in Michigan, so it seems that FIAT are playing politics again. Sounds like a story that will run and run

They're making it up - the press release says this:

"A new gasoline direct injection turbo engine for Alfa Romeo is to be developed in Italy
for production at the FMA plant in Pratola Serra beginning in early 2013."

Can't see why they would issue a press release talking about developing a new engine in Italy if they are going to cobble something together from existing stuff and build it in the US. The whole point of this is it increases the "halo" desirability of an Alfa model that has it in. It needs to avoid any association with Chrysler otherwise it will get the usual negative press.

Cheers,

Nigel

[GTA_Nigel]

Originally Posted by AlfaMartini

This is beginning to look really good... I need to start building my 4C fund Now!!

Agree - if they put an engine like this in the 4C I would buy one.

Cheers,

Nigel

[MikeX159]

This engine will presumably require a completely new gearbox as the TCT proposed for the 4c is currently borderline in power and torque limits.

[GTA_Nigel]

Originally Posted by MikeX159

This engine will presumably require a completely new gearbox as the TCT proposed for the 4c is currently borderline in power and torque limits.

Agree, it has been said that is what limits the current 1750 to around 235 bhp. Some of the reviews of the TCT box have not been that positive, so perhaps they have a revised version for higher powered engines. Never tried it myself so couldn't say one way or the other.

I always felt that "200+" bhp was a bit lame for a £40K car, although the reduced weight would certainly give good performance. But if they do put a 300 bhp engine in the 4C, it will be a storming car.

Cheers,

Nigel

[jwq]

roadmap:

http://media.autoweek.nl/m/m1eyuulb3pwd.jpg

[davidjwbailey]

BAH! not enough to get onto this list

List of fastest production cars by acceleration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[GTA_Nigel]

Originally Posted by davidjwbailey

BAH! not enough to get onto this list

List of fastest production cars by acceleration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blimey. That shows what a bargain the GT-R is if you just want out and out performance.

[Ubizzle]

Originally Posted by GTA_Nigel

Blimey. That shows what a bargain the GT-R is if you just want out and out performance.

Porsche 911 Turbo S...
Manufacturer set time:3.1
Verified time: 2.8

But also, Nigel's right. The GTR is a genuine performance car bargain - will tear apart almost any car within 200% of its value.

[davidjwbailey]

I'd agree on paper, but just did the sums on a new Lexus IS F 5.0L V8, and, even though the MK dealer has them new with £12,000 off list, they would still cost over £2,000 a month to run. A new 911 turbo S would probably be cheaper, mainly because of the depreciation. And the GTR gets spanked by depreciation as well

[Pud237]

Mistubishi Evolution VIII MR FQ400 stands out from the first list - it is keeping up with some far more exotic machinery. What a piece of engineering excellence

[A-team]

If the 4C gets 300hp and weighs 850kg, shouldn't that be enough to keep up with a Mitsubishi Evo FQ400? The Evo weighs 1450 kg. That would make the 4C power/weight ratio better.

And it must be possible to tune the 4C too.

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by A-team

If the 4C gets 300hp and weighs 850kg, shouldn't that be enough to keep up with a Mitsubishi Evo FQ400? The Evo weighs 1450 kg. That would make the 4C power/weight ratio better.

And it must be possible to tune the 4C too.

I suppose it all depends on how much power you can get down in the 4C without spinning the wheels. 150bhp per wheel in 1st & 2nd gear is probably not possible, but 100bhp per wheel in the Mitsubishi might be easier, especially with 3 very clever electronically controlled diffs.

Once out of 2nd gear the 4C is going to come screaming passed though, 4wd will become a drag on the Evo. Thats why its so great to 60 but doesn't appear on the quarter mile table I suppose.

[Lambrate FS]

In 2008 when I worked on an OEM calibration project with Elasis they were running larger capacity MA engines on the bench 1.6 or 1.8 litre was the capacity IIRC, so if it was a 1.8 guess you may be looking at 260-270ps, if you take the current TB 1750 as a baseline comparison.

[TribesMan]

They tested that in 2008?!? What the hell is taking them so long then?

[Lambrate FS]

The multi-air system had been under development for a few years, we were buying a version of the existing FIRE engine from the old Punto and just as the news of multi air hit the technical press in around August 2008 is when I saw an engine on the test bed, marketing/technical or the priority to roll out smaller more fuel efficient versions first I have no idea.