Report: Fiat to launch dual-fuel TwinAir engine in next-gen Panda

In late May, Fiat's innovative turbocharged 875-cc TwinAir two-cylinder engine captured the title of International Engine of the Year, a first for Fiat. Now comes word that the TwinAir engine lineup will expand to include an even more potent turbo'd mill, a normally aspirated base unit and a dual-fuel version that burns gasoline or compressed natural gas.

According to Autocar, the dual-fuel TwinAir engine will likely make its debut in the next-generation Fiat Panda, where its modest grunt – approximately 60 horsepower – will be more than sufficient given that the dual-fuel unit should reduce the Panda's fuel consumption and lower its CO2 emissions. Fiat says that it aims to crank out nearly 100,000 TwinAir engines in 2011. However, future plans call for TwinAir production to rise to at least 250,000 in 2012.

[Source: Autocar]