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Global Concepts (Part 2)
Fiat Ecobasic
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The Ecobasic is Fiat's concept of a future ultra-compact car. Described as a test laboratory on wheels, Ecobasic is said to have fuel consumption better than 3.0 L/100 km (78 mpg). Mass is 750 kg (1650 lb), and it is highly aerodynamic for such a small car, with a Cd of only 0.28 despite a near-upright windshield. Its engine is a 1.2-L common-rail turbodiesel with a power output of 45 kW (60 hp) at 3500 rpm. The five-speed gearbox's most innovative feature is a program designed to integrate the action of the engine control unit with that of the automatic transmission control unit's. The driver expresses power requirements through the accelerator and the system meets those requirements in the most fuel-efficient way. The car's spaceframe/body combination has one door on one side and two on the other. The Ecobasic uses thermoplastics for body panels, and the rear window is of polycarbonate. The body uses mass-dyed plastics and the hood is sealed; there is access for fluid top-up through a flap.
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