I must admit to being a little confused (creeping senility mostly) at the FIAT Group engine policy. I think it was Sergio Marchewotsisface who was recently quoted saying that they couldn't just stick any old engines in Alfa Romeos, implying that the range would have unique power units.
The reason I'm confused is that VW seems to use versions of the same engines in ever thing they make from Skoda and Seat up to Audi. From Audi there are other units shared with Bentley and Lamborghini.
It also baffles me why they fit the 1.6 JTDm in 120 Bhp version in the Mito but the 105 Bhp version in the larger, heavier Giulietta. I'm also not entirely convinced with the use of the Twin Air in the Mito, Punto and 500L. The Panda and regular 500 I can see, but I think they'll struggle in larger cars.
Personally, I think they should have developed the 0.9 Twin Air as well as 1.2 triple and the existing 1.4 Multi Air. Ford have introduced the 1.0 Ecoboost into the Focus range but they've kept the 1.6 petrol in around 5 different versions.
One of the advantages of having a range of manufacturers is commonality. With the exception of certain low income countries, the sort that would still take the MK2 Punto or Palio, or God forbid, the Uno, we ought to be getting more advanced engines across the entire range.
500..........65, 85 & 105 bhp Twin Air + 1.3 MJ 75
Panda.......65 & 85 bhp Twin Air + 1.3 MJ with 105 TA possibly in the future.
500L........1.4 Multi Air, 1.3 MJ 85 1.6 MJ 105
500L MPW.1.4 Multi Air, 1.4 MA 120, 1.6 105 & 120 MJ
Bravo.......1.4 MA 105 & 140, 1.6 MJ 105 & 120.
That's a total of 4 different engine architectures. The old 1.2 & 1.4 8v motors could be consigned to "3rd World Markets" where they could still perform sterling service especially where alternative fuels, such as methanol, are used.
I'm sure there's room for the 1.6 MJ to be extended up to 140 bhp, or alternatively for the 2.0 MJ to be used.
Let the 500 & Panda ranges provide the cheeky scamp type "sporty" FIATS and then look seriously at extending the Abarth range to include a new Bravo, but I don't think that spiritual successors to the 131 Sport and Strada 130TC are out of the question. How about a rorty version of the 1750 MA as used in the Giulietta? Maybe putting out slightly less power but more basic and stripped out, leaving the sleek, more luxurious Giulietta to combat Audis and the like.
Mmm. That was only supposed to be about 10 lines long. Think it's about time I went to........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz