New Fiat Panda Cross
Engine - Gearbox

The Fiat Panda Cross (4x4) comes with the 1.3-litre 16v Multijet engine, the smallest and most advanced of the second-generation Common Rail direct injection diesels.

The 1.3 Multijet 16v is a 1248 cc 4 cylinder in line power unit with a bore of just 69.6 mm and a 82 mm 'long' stroke. The four valves per cylinder are driven directly by a twin overhead camshaft.

Maximum power output is 51 kW at 4000 rpm (70 bhp) and the torque delivered is 145 Nm at 1500 rpm.

With all its accessories, the 1.3 Multijet 16v weighs in at just 130 kg. Its size is at less than 50 centimetres in length and 65 in height.

Fiat claims that this power unit is the smallest Common Rail four-cylinder diesel on the market. It packs no fewer than six normal-sized components into a space of less that 70 millimetres: four valves, one injector and one spark plug.

The "pocket" Multijet offers a specific output of 56.06 bhp/ litre with a specific torque of 116.2 Nm/ litre. Fiat claims it designed it to last 250,000 km instead of the usual 150,000.

During this long lifetime, it should not require any maintenance to mechanical parts (even the normally essential fan belt change at 80,000 km is not required).

Oil change intervals have been increased from 20,000 to 30,000 km. The oil is low viscosity (i.e. designed for fuel economy) and environmentally friendly, as it already meets Euro 4 emission limits not due to come into force until 2006. It is also one of the very few cars in the world that has been able to achieve this result without the need for a sophisticated exhaust post-treatment device such as a particulate trap. The particulate emission level (responsible for dust and fine dust) is even lower than that established by the forthcoming Euro 4 standard.

The engine is combined with a five-speed manual gearbox that takes up little space. Fiat claims it offers excellent selection lever maneuverability thanks to the reduction of the clutch driven plate inertia and the introduction of new gaskets.

The gearbox configuration is transverse with two shafts in a cascade, while the gear mechanism is internal over four selection planes. The exterior mechanism is twin cable type to filter out engine operating noise and vibrations transmitted from engine to gear lever. The gearbox is also equipped with a syringe mechanism to prevent involuntary reverse engagement.