The Stellantis automotive group has initiated a strategic restructuring of its line of engines available on the European market to resolve durability issues. The company opted to progressively replace the 1.2 turbo engines from the PureTech family with models from the Firefly line, of Italian origin. Essa change aims to mitigate recurring mechanical problems reported by owners and raise the reliability standard of vehicles from the brands Peugeot, Citroën and Opel.
Technical challenges of oil-bathed belt system
The technical decision was mainly motivated by the premature wear observed in the oil-immersed timing belt system, a hallmark of the PureTech project. Engenheiros identified that, under conditions of severe use, the belt released rubber particles that obstructed the oil pump and compromised internal lubrication. Esse scenario generated pressure alerts on the panel and required complex mechanical interventions before the scheduled revision time.
Advantages of the Firefly mechanical architecture
To overcome this situation, the automaker selected the Firefly engine family, which uses a metal timing chain instead of a rubber belt. Essa technology, already consolidated in models from Fiat to Brasil such as Argo and The architecture with an aluminum block and metal chain demonstrated superior resistance in long-term tests, guaranteeing the integrity of the engine throughout the vehicle’s useful life.
Impacted models and transition strategy
The mechanical update covers a wide range of compact vehicles and SUVs sold on the European continent. High-volume Modelos, such as the Peugeot 208, Citroën C3 and Opel Corsa, are on schedule to receive the new thrusters. The change also extends to sports utility vehicles such as the Peugeot 2008 and the Opel Mokka, ensuring that the new mechanical base is standardized across the conglomerate’s different brands to facilitate maintenance and parts logistics.
Focus on electrification and hybrid systems
In addition to resolving the reliability issue, the adoption of the Firefly engine sets the stage for the expansion of electrification in the company’s fleet. The new mechanical base was designed to integrate 12 and 48 volt mild hybrid systems, essential for meeting environmental emissions targets. Essa modularity allows engineering to develop more efficient and economical versions without the need to change the main structure of the combustion engine.
