Fiat 500 to get 0.9-liter Turbocharged Two-Cylinder Engine in 2010

We just got our hands on the Fiat Group's refreshed product plan for 2010 and 2011 that was introduced by the firm's CEO Sergio Marchionne in Rome today. We'll bring you the full monty later on but here's a taster of what the company is planning to launch into the market.

Next year will see the arrival of Fiat's long anticipated New Small Gasoline Engine that will make its premiere on the 500 mini. The innovative 0.9-liter twin-cylinder gasoline engine features turbocharging and Fiat's Multiair technology that controls the intake valves, depending on the horsepower needed.

Fiat says that while the new engine offers the same performance as a larger naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, fuel economy and, as a consequence, CO2 emissions are significantly improved.

In addition to the advantages in fuel consumption, the twin-cylinder engine is also said to be 20 per cent lighter in weight and more compact in size compared to a 4-cylinder engine with the same output.

"This is the maximum expression of the concept of downsizing, offering lower consumption and emissions without impacting performance," Marchionne said during the presentation.

The new two-cylinder engine is expected to be offered in two turbocharged variants developing 80HP and 105HP while Fiat will add a 65HP naturally aspirated version, also equipped with the Multiair system followed up by a CNG version.

At least in Europe, the twin-cylinder engine will find its way on the Fiat Group's A- and B-Segment models like the Fiat 500, Panda and Punto EVO.

More to come once we sort our the papers out so stay tuned.

Bugatti Files Trademarks for 16C Galibier Sport Sedan

The bean counters over at the Volkswagen Group are still gauging customer reactions to the Bugatti 16C Galibier concept to see if there's enough interest to build a production version, but just to be on the safe side - we all remember the Chinese Rolls Royce Phantom clone - they decided to trademark the design of the sports saloon at the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The trademark was applied for the concept model, so there's new to be seen in the design sketches.

If the 16C Galibier receives the 'green light', it will most likely go on sale after Bugatti ends production of the Veyron production in 2012.

The almost production-ready concept model features a 16-cylinder, 8.0-litre flex-fuel engine with two-stage supercharging that is believed to produce somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 horsepower.

Power is channeled to all-four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission while Bugatti also developed a unique suspension and special ceramic brakes for the sports saloon.

The Muschallaro: Part Challenger, Part Camaro, Part Mustang

A talented modeler named Robert D. came up with the wacky idea of creating a scale-model that combines elements from the latest editions of Detroit's pony cars: the body of a Chevy Camaro, the front end of a Dodge Challenger and the rear-end of the Ford Mustang. And this here is the result.

"I like the main body of the Camaro better than the Challenger. I like the Challenger front end better than the Camaro. Once the idea was in my head to add Mustang to the equation, it all came together, because I found out pretty quickly that the three could combine into one," Robert stated in a forum for model cars.

We don't have to tell those of that you have ever attempted to make a custom model that it's easier said than done. Nevertheless, after four painstaking months of work, Robert pulled it off.

And even if you disagree with the aesthetics or the parts of the three muscle cars that were chosen for the model, you can't but admire the result from a technical point of view.

Now, any ideas what the tri-pony car should be named?

Source: Fotki , Via: Model Cars and Car Domain - Thanks for the tip Marcus!