New Indica to flaunt Fiat's 1.3-ltr multijet engine

New Delhi, Jan 15: Tata Motors today said along with its existing powertrain diesel engines, it will use the Fiat's state-of-the-art 1.3-litre 16-valve Multijet engine to power its new Indica, which it plans to roll out later in the year.

''The car will be offered with a new 1.3 litre Quadra-Jet Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel engine and a 1.2 litre Safire MPFI VVT Petrol engine, which will be manufactured at the new Tata-Fiat joint venture plant at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra , besides existing Tata powertrains,'' said Tata Motors Senior General Manager (Engineering Research Centre) S Ravishankar.

The 1.3-litre Multijet engine on the present Fiat Punto delivers a 51 KW at 4,000 r/min and 180 Nm at just 1 750 r/min. It allows the Punto 1.3 JTD Multijet a top speed of 164 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 13.4 seconds. Fuel consumption figures are among the best in the segment with a combined cycle of 4.5 litres/100km.

Fiat says this engine is the smallest and most advanced second generation common rail direct injection diesel engine and features multi-point injection, 16 valves, an intercooler and a particularly efficient combustion chamber shape. When clad with all its accessories it weighs only 130 kg.

The Multijet system gives more precise injection of fuel, and also leads to much quieter running.

Currently the Indica V2 is powered by a 1,405cc-engine which delivers a maximum power of 53.5 PS at 5,500rpm and the new multi-jet engine is expected to compensate for high altitude power loss and give better performance than is current version.

The new Indica will also sport a five speed synchromesh gearbox with overdrive, bigger 175/65 R 14 tubeless tyres and a twist beam suspension. The new Indica will be launched in the latter part of 2008 and will coexist with the present Indica range at a higher price point.

Tata Motors Ltd has already launched its Indica V2 DICOR priced at Rs 4.25 lakhs with claims the new car has enhanced output of 70 PS @ 4,000 rpm and has 15 per cent better fuel efficiency.

UNI