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FIAT

New SUV Pulse arrives with an unprecedented Turbo 200 Flex engine, the most powerful 1.0 supercharged engine in Brazil

One of the most awaited vehicles of 2021 arrives on the domestic market after completing a journey unlike any other launch that Fiat has performed in its 45 years of history in Brazil.

During the year, the public was an integral and active part of the brand's first SUV fully created, developed and now produced at the Betim Automotive Pole (MG).

Leader of the Brazilian and South American market in 2021, with the Pulse Fiat starts to compete for the fastest growing segment in the country. From 2012 to 2021, the B-SUV increased its market share from 2.8% to 22.8%; and went from two to 18 competitors. With a representative in this category, the brand, which has the highest national growth (7 percentage points from January to September against the same period in 2020), strengthens its position by expanding market coverage: from 61% last year to around 90% in 2021.

More than that, Fiat enters the dispute with the new reference in the segment, a vehicle that reaches a new aspiring consumer in search of innovation, technology and connectivity. Thus, Fiat has worked intensively on the development of Pulse on the pillars of Design, Efficient Performance, Safety, Technology and Connectivity so that it is the most desired SUV in its category.

Design: Italian inspiration, Brazilian blood... With a unique style both in the Fiat range and among its competitors, Pulse was born from the work of a team of professionals with the most different specialties at Stellantis' Design Center South America, at Polo Automotivo de Betim. From a blank sheet to computer development, always listening carefully to consumer aspirations, Pulse was designed to express an attractive, modern design, highlighting its robustness and technological elements at any angle.

The front, tall and imposing, conveys elegance and versatility. The raised bumper widens the entry angle, a crucial item for an SUV. The wide front grille prints the brand's LOGO SCRIPT with Fiat Flag in the lower right corner, a reminder of the Italian roots of the model designed by and for Brazilians.

The LED headlamps have an expression of confidence and demonstrate the technology present inside and outside the Pulse. An elegant frieze, the wide blade, which can vary depending on the version - chrome at the top of the range - gives more personality and creates a balanced horizontal signature that unites the optical assemblies. Below is a second imposing air intake, with large niches for the fog lamps, also LED, on the sides.

The Pulse's muscular style remains on the side, with large arches around the fenders, a longitudinal rack on the roof and a distinctive finish under the windows, showing that elegance also combines with robustness. The alloy wheels are uniquely designed in the different versions, perfectly matching the SUV's high suspension and wraparound styling.

Efficient performance: the technology that drives the Fiat Pulse...The debut of the SUV Pulse in Brazil couldn't be faster. The model hits the market with a broad and modern catalog of transmissions and engines, including the arrival of the unprecedented Turbo 200 Flex, the most powerful 1.0 supercharged in Brazil with up to 130 hp.

The unique thruster is part of the award-winning family of engines developed by Stellantis, and repeats 100% of the innovations and technologies of the existing set, the Turbo 270 Flex, which already equips Nova Toro. It took more than three years of development and 30,000 hours of bench tests, which resulted in the best of both worlds: greater performance and more efficiency, given the even more compact 'packaging', with the use of three cylinders that follows the global trend of downsizing, delivering a lighter package.

The Turbo 200 Flex is capable of generating 130 hp of maximum power with ethanol (125 hp with gasoline), a number above any competitor in the segment. The ample torque of 200 Nm, regardless of fuel, is available between 1,750 rpm and 3,500 rpm, delivering maximum power in the range of most everyday use by drivers.

One of the features that enables this is BorgWarner's low-inertia turbocharger. It is equipped with an electronic wastegate, which quickly adjusts to the demands of the throttle actively. This reduces component response time and extends pressure control across the assembly. The intake system has a reduced volume, further decreasing turbo lag. These features are reinforced by the MultiAir III, a unique technology from Stellantis. It is equipped with an electro-hydraulic system for flexible control of the intake valves, maintaining high performance without compromising fuel consumption, and low emissions.

With the MultiAir III, the Pulse Turbo 200 Flex engine can open the intake valves during the cylinder compression cycle, which reduces the compression ratio and cools the combustion chamber. This gives greater control over detonation without compromising ignition advance.

The electronic control also makes it possible to anticipate the opening of the intake valves in the exhaust phase, creating a recirculation of gases that reduces the nitrogen oxides arising from combustion. Because of this, Pulse hits the market already in compliance with the new emission rules that will take effect from 2022.

Direct fuel injection has injectors placed almost vertical to the pistons, at an angle of 23°. This favors the air-fuel mixture while avoiding compromising the oil film on the cylinder wall, providing stability and speed in combustion. Precise engine control is reinforced with information from the ethanol sensor, which detects the type of fuel used before it is burned.

Smoothness and performance...Both engines of the Pulse are coupled to the unprecedented automatic transmission CVT with 7 speeds. This transmission was developed together with Aisin, one of the most prestigious companies in the powertrain segment. With it, the Pulse with Turbo 200 Flex engine is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, the best performance in the segment.

The CVT gearbox uses two variable pulleys connected by an oil-dipped metal belt. This solution delivers maximum smoothness and comfort to the driver without compromising the performance and efficiency of the set.

It operates with three operating modes. In Automatic mode, the electronic control unit adjusts the ratios and response time according to the driver's demand, adjusting itself according to the different day-to-day scenarios and favoring low revs for greater comfort and low fuel consumption.

Manual mode is for those who don't give up the control. In it, the electronic transmission control creates seven pre-set gears, which can be changed manually and sequentially by means of the gearshift lever or by the steering wheels. Finally, in Sport mode, activated by a button on the steering wheel - another exclusivity of the segment -, it takes even more fun driving the Fiat Pulse. It acts on steering, stability control, throttle mapping, and alters gearshift and response time, further leveraging the Turbo 200 Flex's maximum power. Everything for a more sporty and dynamic playing.

Technology and Connectivity (Ok Google, hello Alexa: the connected technology of the SUV Pulse)...The first Fiat car whose name was chosen by an internet vote could not have come less connected. The Pulse SUV hits the market with a wide range of technologies and connectivity to offer a lot of comfort, safety and convenience to all occupants.

It all starts with the multimedia system, an essential item for the Pulse consumer. Standard equipment, it will be available in two versions, with 8.4-inch floating screen and 10.1-inch touch-sensitive screen. Both offer wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and receive the exclusive Fiat Connect////Me, the brand's innovative connected services platform.

With it, the customer can control the most different features of the vehicle through their smartphone, smartwatch or even using the unprecedented Google Assistant (Google Assistant) and Amazon (Amazon Alexa). It is possible, for example, to open or close the doors, activate the lights, horns and even heat or cool the vehicle cabin with just a voice command.

Fiat Connect////Me also ensures that Pulse is always ready for you. It gives details of the odometer, fuel level, engine oil life and mileage until next service. If the customer wants, it is even possible to contact the nearest dealer to schedule their periodic maintenance.

These functionalities are possible thanks to the Pulse internet connection, made through a virtual chip (eSIM) from TIM. With data networking, even software updating is simpler, and can be done anywhere, using a remote connection. Pulse also shares the internet signal over a Wi-Fi network capable of connecting with up to eight devices.

The exclusive smartphone app allows the driver to follow his Pulse remotely, and even program speed and perimeter alerts if the car is being driven by someone else.

Autonews