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hrysler to invest $179M in Michigan to produce 1.4LFIRE 4-cylinder for Fiat 500 Posted: Dec 17, 2009

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Chrysler Group LLC announced today that it will debut a 1.4L in-line 4-cylinder Fully Integrated Robitized Engine

(FIRE) featuring Multiair in the Fiat 500 starting in 2010. The Auburn Hills automaker will invest $179 million to launch

production of the engine at its Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance plant in Dundee, Michigan.

The engine produces 100-hp with a maximum torque of 95 lb-ft. A

turbo version will also be made available in the near future. Chrysler says that the Multiair technology by Fiat will

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increase power by 10 percent while reducing fuel-consumption and emissions by 10 percent. The turbo version of the

engine will improve fuel-economy by 25 percent.

Chrysler said that the investment will create up to 573 new jobs including up to 155 new Chrysler Group jobs.

³This 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.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release: 

Chrysler Group LLC Introduces Fiat´s 1.4-liter, In-line 4-cylinder, Fully Integrated Robotized Engine with

Multiair Technology to Powertrain Lineup 

 Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 17, 2009 ± Chrysler Group LLC will debut Fiat´s 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder Fully Integrated

Robitized Engine (FIRE) featuring Multiair in the Fiat 500 starting in 2010. The engine, well-suited for a small car 

application, delivers 100 horsepower (75 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb.-ft. (129 N´¢m) of torque at 4,250 rpm. A turboversion also will be available in future applications. The 1.4-liter FIRE features Fiat´s Multiair technology, which

significantly reduces emissions while improving fuel economy and power delivery.

The 1.4-liter FIRE features four valves per cylinder and incorporates state-of-the-art technology for Fully Variable

Valve Actuation (FVVA), also known as MultiAir. Multiair is a sophisticated technology that delivers an increase in

power up to 10 percent and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions up to 10 percent when compared to

similar engines. A turbo version of the engine is also planned and will produce a fuel economy improvement up to 25

percent when compared to a V-6 engine with equivalent power.

The MultiAir system consists of electro-hydraulic variable valve actuators filled with conventional oil, which is

interposed between the camshaft and each valve. A solenoid valve is energized every 360-degree camshaft rotation,

regulating the quantity of oil addressed to the actuator or to a reservoir. The lift of the valve is a function of the

quantity of oil addressed to the actuator, ranging from full lift to complete valve closure. Each solenoid valve may also

delay application of the actuator in advance, leading to late valve opening or early valve closing.

MultiAir is exclusive for Chrysler Group in North America and is based on a series of Fiat Powertrain patents related

to hardware, combustion strategies and controls that allow for full control of the lift and timing of engine valves.

In the early 1970s, robotics in assembly plants was not common. The term ³FIRE´ came into existence when Fiat

integrated the use of robotics in the production process of manufacturing plants. Although mechanized assembly is

commonplace today, the brand name FIRE has remained with Fiat´s powertrain lineup.The 1.4-liter FIRE with Multiair is the world¶s first mass production engine to incorporate such technology to control

the intake valves. Dedicated components have been developed to accommodate four ³bricks´ (one for each cylinder),

which package relevant components. MultiAir technology can be adapted to different types of engines, including

Diesels for enhanced NOx control, and is planned for Chrysler Powertrain¶s four-cylinder World Gas Engine and all-

new Pentastar V-6.

Press Release: 

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Chrysler Group LLC to Invest $179 Million in Jobs for Michigan, Fuel Efficient Engines for North America 

Company Is Delivering on the Promise of the Fiat-Chrysler Strategic Alliance, says Chrysler Group CEO Marchionne

 A Significant Step to Grow and Diversify State´s Economy, says Michigan Governor Granholm

 Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 17, 2009 ± Chrysler Group LLC will invest $179 million to launch production of an advanced

technology, fuel-efficient engine for the North American market, which will be built at the company´s Global Engine

Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Michigan.

The investment will create up to 573 new jobs industry-wide, including up to 155 new Chrysler Group jobs.

The GEMA plant, located in Dundee, Michigan, will produce the 1.4-liter, 16-valve Fully Integrated Robotized Engine

(FIRE) for use in Chrysler Group´s growing fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles. FIRE is a collaboration between Chrysler 

Group and Fiat powertrain groups and will include Fiat´s innovative advanced technologies to reduce engine

emissions and improve fuel economy.

³This project further demonstrates that Michigan has the competitive business climate, infrastructure and talented

workforce to compete in the global marketplace,´ said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.³We are pleased and excited with the I-4 FIRE engine loading at GEMA. The UAW is committed to working with the

Company to continue doing everything we can to ensure this new engine launch is successful.´ said General

Holiefield, Vice President and Director of the UAW, Chrysler Department.

Today´s announcement follows a thorough site selection review by the company and actions by the Michigan

Economic Development Corporation and the Village of Dundee in support of the project.

Production of the 1.4-liter engine at GEMA will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010. The first application of the engine

will be in the North American-built Fiat 500 that will go into production in 2011.

Chrysler Group has two plants at the GEMA complex, located at 5800 North Ann Arbor Road outside Dundee. In

addition to the South plant which will produce the FIRE, the North Plant, opened in October 2005, produces the World

Gas Engine, Chrysler Powertrain´s naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder engine family.