Stellantis Changes Global Engine Lineup Significantly 'Goodbye Pure Tech, Welcome Firefly'

*This content was translated by AI.

French global automaker Stellantis has decided to end the era of existing PureTech powertrains and adopt a line of Firefly engines, formulating a breakthrough change in its industrial manufacturing strategy. The decision is interpreted as a strategic move to achieve Europe's strict environmental goals by 2030 and integrate engine technology within the group.

Stellantis plans to use the Firefly engine, technically named the Global Small Engine (GSE), as the standard for combustion platforms in Europe. This is a reversal of the situation by former FCA Engineering's Firefly architecture instead of PSA Group's PureTech technology in the past. For reference, PureTech is a technology developed by the PSA (Peugeot and Citroen) group in the past, while Firefly is based on the GSE (Global Small Engine) architecture developed by the FCA (Fiat and Chrysler) engineering in the past. On the surface, it is to achieve environmental goals, but in fact, the key is to abandon the PureTech engine's rubber cable timing belt system, which has been highly dissatisfied with consumers, and adopt a metal timing chain.

Rubber cable timing belt systems have caused high repair costs and consumer complaints due to technical defects such as premature wear of parts and clogging of vacuum pumps due to rubber residues. On the other hand, in the Firefly architecture, the timing chain takes over for this part. Therefore, the manufacturer explains that it is not more cumbersome than before and guarantees durability throughout the life of the engine. Stellantis Engineering plans to restore consumer confidence by reducing warranty costs and increasing value in the used car market.

As a company with so many brands in its hands, it goes beyond simple parts replacement and company-wide industrial restructuring. Stellantis will incorporate Firefly technology into all assembly lines by 2030, using it as the foundation for its 48V Mild Hybrid System (MHEV). This is an essential measure to comply with Euro 7 exhaust gas standards, which will be fully implemented at the end of the 2010s. The combination of Firefly engine blocks and 48V hybrid systems can reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by about 15% compared to conventional engines.

On the industrial side, the integration of the Firefly platform simplifies the supply chain of various brands within the group, including Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, and Fiat, and realizes economies of scale. The Thermoli plant in Italy will emerge as a key base for global production, and engineering know-how at the Betim plant in Brazil, which is already the largest producer of Firefly engines, will be actively reflected in the European market.

Group executives, including Antonio Pilosa, emphasized that such an integrated strategy is a practical solution that will prevent redundant costs and maximize product competitiveness. Market experts say Stellantis has proven synergy in the merger by choosing the best technology within the group, regardless of nationality, which is expected to put strong pressure on rivals grappling with environmental regulatory response.

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*This content was translated by AI.