Two cars on show on the Fiat stand in Paris are further evidence of Fiat Auto’s concern for environmental protection, a fundamental principle behind model development in the company. The ‘Panda Panda’ that is due to go on sale next January and the ‘Multipla Multi-Eco’ concept car that combines an innovative powertrain architecture – consisting of an engine that can run on three different fuels i.e. petrol/methane/benzene + ethanol) - with the use of eco-compatible materials (recyclable or of natural origin) inside and outside. The Multipla Multi-Eco confirms Fiat’s desire to carry on making breakthroughs in the field of alternative minimum environmental impact power unit research with a view to broadening its range of Natural Power power units.

The original Multipla Multi-Eco is a concept car produced on a Multipla base that exploits the potential of Tri-fuel technology combining petrol, a mixture of petrol and ethanol (E85) and methane (petrol/E85 dual fuel systems are normally termed Flex fuel systems). E85 is a mixture made up of 15% petrol and 85% bio-ethanol. This is how it works: the bio-ethanol and the petrol are poured into the same tank; a feature that makes it easier for motorists to refuel. The engine software monitors the mixture and alters the injection properties accordingly in fully automatic manner. Flex engines are able to work in the same way and with the same performance using both conventional fuel and natural alcohol-based fuels.
 

As far as the environment is concerned, the advantage of ethanol lies in the fact that it is a renewable energy source (obtained from various crops by means of a biomass fermentation process i.e. agricultural products rich in sugars such as cereals, sugar crops, corn and vines) and it does not increase the greenhouse effect and global warming because carbon dioxide is trapped during the production process.

Since E85 mixture also contains petrol, it reduces net CO2 emissions by some 40% (TBC). The option of switching from E85 to methane certainly represents a new alternative for sustainable mobility for city and rural driving because the methane reduces CO2 emissions while cutting polluting PM and NOx (urban pollution) to zero, while E85 considerably reduces CO2 emissions. The Multipla Multi-Eco Concept Car is created through the experience of Fiat Brazil in the field of innovative power units able to run on different fuels in any proportion.