The FIRE (for "Fully Integrated Robotised Engine") is a series of automobile engines from Fiat Powertrain Technologies, built in FCA's Termoli, Betim and also in Dundee, MI (only in 1.4 Multiair versions) plants. It was designed by Italian designer Rodolfo Bonetto. It was constructed by robot assembly plants ("Robogate") to reduce costs.

The FIRE series replaced the old Fiat 100 series overhead valve engines in the mid-1980s. Mechanically, they are simple straight-four engines with five main bearings crankshaft and overhead cam heads.

Since 1985, it has been constructed in different versions. Displacements range from 0.8 to 1.4L; 46.9 to 83.5cuin (769 to 1,368cc). In addition to the 8 valve versions, there are "Super-FIRE" 1.2 and 1.4L; 75.8 and 83.5cuin (1,242 and 1,368cc) 16 valve versions.

The "Super-FIRE" which uses 16 valves and was available in 1.0L; 61.0cuin (999cc) (Brazil) and 1.2L; 75.8cuin (1,242cc) (Brazil & Europe) displacements.

The 1.4L; 83.5cuin (1,368cc) variation introduced in 2003 was available in both 8 and 16 valves. In 2005 Fiat introduced a version of the 16v incorporating port deactivation (PDA) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). This unit is frequently referred to as the "StarJet" engine. One year later, a turbocharged variety of the StarJet was introduced under the name "T-Jet", and a MultiAir (adding electro-hydraulic intake valve driving, with variable timing, lift and profile) version was added in 2009, available in either naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. It reached 190 PS on the Abarth 695 Biposto.

The FIRE was originally a carbureted engine, and later progressed to single-point injection (SPI), then to multi-point fuel injection (MPI), using sequential multi-port fuel injection (SMPI) today. It was used in the 750 Formula in a slightly modified state.

Brazilian production started in 2000 with the "Super-FIRE" 1.2 16V (80 PS), was extended until 2006 with 1.0 8V (54 PS), 1.0 16V (69 PS), 1.2 8V (66 PS) and 1.4 8V (80 PS). By 2016, the two "last Super-FIRE" being produced in Brazil were the reworked (New pistons and crankshaft) 1.0 8V (77 PS) and the 1.4 8V VVT (90 PS), both running on petrol or ethanol fuels.

Starting in 2016, it was being replaced by the GSE (FireFly) engine family. Production eventually ended in 2021, after 23,233,856 units had been built.

List of FIRE engines

The FIRE engine has been available in the following displacements:

  • 0.8L (769cc) - 65mm ×58mm (2.6in ×2.3in) bore x stroke SOHC 8V 34PS (25kW) (1986–1992)
  • 1.0L (999cc) - 70mm ×64.9mm (2.76in ×2.56in) bore x stroke 8V 45PS (33kW) (1986–1993) 8V SPI 45PS (33kW) (1987–2003) DOHC 16V SMPI 60PS (44kW) (1998–2003, Brazil only) 8V SMPI Flex-fuel 77PS (57kW) (2005–current, Brazil only)
  • 1.1L (1,108cc) - 70mm ×72mm (2.8in ×2.8in) bore x stroke 8V 55PS (40kW) (1983–1993) 8V SPI 50–55PS (37–40kW) (1993–2000) 8V SMPI 55PS (40kW) (2001–2010)
  • 1.2L (1,242cc) - 70.8mm ×78.9mm (2.79in ×3.11in) bore x stroke 8V SPI 60PS (44kW) (1993–1999) 8V MPI 75PS (55kW) (1993–1999) 8V SMPI 60PS (44kW) (1993–2009) 8V SMPI VVT 69PS (51kW) (2007–2020) 16V SMPI 80–86PS (59–63kW) (1998–2009)
  • 1.4L (1,368cc) SMPI - 72mm ×84mm (2.8in ×3.3in) bore x stroke 8V SMPI 77PS (57kW) (2003–current) 8V SMPI VVT 77PS (57kW) (2005–current) 8V SMPI Flex-fuel 90PS (66kW) (2005–current, Brazil only) 16V SMPI 95PS (70kW) (2005–current) 16V SMPI StarJet VVT – PDA 90–95PS (66–70kW) (2005–current) 16V T-Jet 105–120–155–180–190PS (77–88–114–132–140kW) (2006–current) 16V MultiAir 105PS (77kW) (2009–current) 16V MultiAir Turbo 130–170PS (96–125kW) (2009–current)

All (non Abarth) fuel injected versions have a limiter off 6500 Rpm (fuel cutoff)

Applications

Production

As part of the June 10, 2009 Operating Agreement, Chrysler's commercial production of Fully Integrated Robotized Engine began in its Dundee, Michigan facility. Chrysler's first FIRE engine model, a 100hp (75kW) 1.4-litre FIRE with Multiair valvetrain, was first introduced in Fiat 500 starting in 2010.

See also

External links