Fiat Powertrain Technologies has announced the latest incarnation of the 1.9 JTD engine used in the Alfa Romeo 147, 159 and 159 Sportwagon as well as Fiat Punto, with Twin Stage Turbo technology lifting power to a remarkable 140 kW and 400 NM of torque from just 1.9 litres.

The new 1.9 LTD variant places the FTP four cylinder diesel engine on a par in terms of power with some six cylinder petrol engines that are 50 per cent larger, while the 400 Nm torque figure is better than some six cylinder petrol engines with twice the capacity of the new FTP engine. At the same time, the new engine has a fraction of the fuel consumption and emissions of the petrol engines.

The new engine will be available in two versions, one with 132 kW, which FTP will make available to customers outside the Fiat Group, as well as the Fiat Group brands, while the high performance 140 kW version will remain the preserve of the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia brands.

Compared to the existing 1.9 litre JTD engines, low end-torque has been improved by 50 per cent, with 300 Nm available from just 1250 rpm. This outstanding performance has been achieved through the introduction of an advanced turbocharging technology, the Two Stage Turbocharger, together with design changes, to increase the thermostructural resistance that allows increased peak cylinder pressure up to 180 bar and exhaust gas temperatures up to 800C.

The two stage turbocharging enables the new engine to combine the instant response of a small turbocharger at low speed and the elimination of ‘Turbo lag’ provided by large turbocharger while the second stage provides ‘deep breathing’ provided a big turbocharger and eliminates the breathlessness of engines fitted with a small turbocharger.

Besides the improvement of overall performances, the TST technology allows an increase in the exhaust gas recirculation rate without penalties on fuel consumption and therefore provides a significant reduction in NOx emission reduction.

Thus, the engine complies with Euro 5 emission standards. This target has been achieved thanks to:
· Reduction of the compression ratio from 17.5 to 16.5 and adoption of low-voltage metallic glow plugs
· Improved EGR cooler (with by-pass) and EGR valve adoption on Lambda sensor with DPF new design of inlet ducts

Production of the new engine will start in July this year with the 132 kW version, with the 140 kW version being launched in June 2008.
THE FACTORY
The new engine is produced, as with the other “Family B” engines, in the FPT plant at Pratola Serra, in Italy’s Avellino province. Created from “green field”, the plant started its production activities in 1993 and has a yearly production capacity of 600,000 engines. At Pratola Serra both gasoline (1.6 16v, 1.8 16v, 2.0 16v, 2.0 20v, 2.4 20v) and diesel engines (1.9 8v JTD, 1.9 16v JTD, 2.4 20v JTD) are produced. The plant has been awarded important international recognition, such as ISO 9002, ISO 14001, ISO TS 16949, but above all the Excellence in Consistent TPM Commitment 1st Category, which represents a coveted recognition as far as Preventive Maintenance and stands for the high level of excellence of the plant.