The construction of a production line for an innovative small petrol engine in southern Poland delivers multiple benefits for the environment and local economy.
- 22 December 2014
Situated in the Katowice Special Economic Zone in the city of Bielsko – Biała, this is the only plant in the Fiat group producing this type of two-cylinder, 900 cc car engine. The new engines provide significant reductions in CO2 emissions compared to earlier models. They also meet EU requirements relating to permissible levels of harmful exhaust emissions.
In addition to generating 12 new jobs at the plant, this investment delivers a boost to the wider economy. About 400 new permanent posts are expected to be created in supported enterprises, along with about ten R&D jobs in the local business sector.
Cutting-edge technologies
The plant will be capable of producing 450 000 engines every year from 2015. The power units come in three basic versions which differ in their air/fuel calibration and levels of performance.
Version one is a naturally aspirated engine which has a maximum power output of 65 KM (48 kW). Version two is turbo-charged and comes in two variations with maximum power outputs of 85 or 105 KM (63/77 kW). The performance of these models is comparable to turbo-charged engines in mass-produced sports cars.
The third version of the new engine is also turbo-charged, but comes with a bio-fuel system which allows the unit to be powered by compressed natural gas or lead-free petrol. This engine configuration offers a maximum power output of 80 KM (59 kW). The dual combination is seen as revolutionary, and does not currently feature in mass-produced engines for vehicles in this class.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of a production line for an innovative small petrol engine” is EUR 263 224 496, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 19 563 910 from the Operational Programme “Innovative Economy” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. Work falls under the priority “Investments in Innovative Undertakings”.