Technical What does the sport button do? What processes does it control? Fiat 500 lounge twinair.

[GrumpyGran]

Hi all you knowledgeable peeps

Its a question OH posed tonight. We assume its making more fuel available and it feels like it does something to the suspension and steering. Its almost as if it picks up its skirts and runs, its impressive for such a small engine. But what is technically happening to make the change? All explanations on the internet seem to be generalisations.

 

[koalar]

From the 2019 500L owner manual

SPORT MODE
The Sport mode increases steering feedback to the driver with slight increases in effort and throttle pedal-to-engine response. Changes to the transmission shift schedules for more aggressive shifting will occur on automatic transmission versions. Sport driving mode is useful while driving on winding roads where more steering precision is desired.

 

[koalar]

It’s all software

The amount of assist assistance in the steering is reduced

The throttle is electronic. To reduce fuel it heavily dampened. This is either reduced or removed so the engine does more closely what you foot is telling it.


As to if the engine runs on a different Map (fuelling) I doubt. Other models state a small increase in power. Which this doesn’t. You would need to put it on a rolling road or be a Fiat programmer to be certain.

 

[GrumpyGran]

So the engine is mapped out for best performance then reigned in for normal economical driving. A bit like getting a computer restricted at 80% and having to overclock it to get 100%.

This ones a manual. The fuel consumption almost doubles in sport mode, according to dashboard information, so has to be more going through the injectors. I'm assuming something (egr?) would have to open to allow more exhaust flow too. Its definitely a bit of a beast in sport mode. From the driving seat OH feels that the suspension is lowered slightly and tightens up. That would have to be an adjustment in oil pressure.

I'd love to get it on a rolling road to find out, but not something we are able to spend out on right now.

 

[koalar]

No change to suspension it’s only got normal springs and dampers

No change in map according to Fiat

The butterfly in the throttle body is opening via software

In normal mode you put your foot to the foot and the butterfly is delayed for better economy

In sports mode you are put the foot to the floor and the butterfly just instantly follows what the accelerator pedal is doing. Worse economy


That as per Fiats description which may or may not be accurate