Fiat Mini platform
Fiat Mini platform | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Fiat |
Production | 2003–present |
Body and chassis | |
Class | City car |
Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Fiat Type Zero platform |
The Fiat Mini platform is an automobile platform shared among city cars of the Fiat Group.[1]
Specification
Developed at the end of the 90s in Turin, Italy, the Mini platform was designed to be adaptable to the city car of Fiat Group. Mini platform replaced the old Panda platform (code project Type Zero or Tipo Zero in Italian) and all components are totally new, and were made to be adaptable to more types of small vehicles (including hatchback, convertible and crossover SUV). The frame makes heavy use of high-strength steel. Mini platform is applicable to either front- or four-wheel drive vehicles, using only front-mounted transverse engines. The standard version was designed for MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension but the four wheel drive version was re-engineered with independent semi-trailing arms rear suspension and electronic Limited slip differential.
The first version of the platform was issued in 2003 with the introduction of the second generation of Fiat Panda.[2] The architecture was developed by Fiat in Poland, in Mexico by Chrysler and later in Italy at Pomigliano d'Arco plant. A concept version uses in Fiat Ecobasic prototype in the 1999 powered by a small 1.2 JTD Multijet engine.
The Mini platform has a wheelbase of 2,299mm in the standard version (2,305mm in 4x4 version), which is used on the Fiat Panda Mk2, Fiat 500 and Ford Ka Mk2.
The Long wheelbase version (2,390mm) is used in Lancia Ypsilon Mk3. The third generation of Fiat Panda uses the standard version with a wheelbase of 2,305mm.
Vehicles based on Fiat Mini platform:
- 1999 Fiat Ecobasic concept car
- 2003 Fiat Panda Mk2
- 2006 Fiat Panda Hydrogen
- 2007 Fiat 500
- 2008 Ford Ka Mk2
- 2011 Lancia Ypsilon Mk3[3]
- 2012 Fiat Panda Mk3[4]
Gallery
-
Fiat Panda (2003)
-
Fiat Panda (2011)
"Economy" platform
Fiat said "the Panda and Uno were born together in design and share the same concept, but have no mechanical parts in common".[5] Fiat claims that the Uno uses 82% of new components, being based on the old Fiat Palio.[6]
Vehicles based on Fiat Economy ("Low Cost") platform:
- 2010 Fiat Uno (327)
- 2011 Fiat Palio (326)
- 2012 Fiat Grand Siena (326)
- 2014 Fiat Fiorino (327)
Gallery
References
- ↑ "The new product plan Fiat and the three italian platform". Borsaitaliana.it.reuters.com. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ↑ "New Fiat Group platforms". Archiviostorico.corriere.it. 24 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ↑ "New Lancia Ypslon test mule based on Fiat Panda platform". Alvolante.it. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
- ↑ "New Fiat Panda third generation". Fiatpress.com. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ↑ "Panda seria um carro interessante no Brasil, diz Fiat". /carros.ig.com.br. 2011-09-16. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
- ↑ "Avaliação Fiat Uno". /bestcars.uol.com.br. 6 May 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.