Stellantis has chosen his replacement for PureTech... and it will be this very Fiat engine.

Weak signals had been piling up for several months. The return of dieselthe FireFly engine extensions, the investments in Termoli... all clues suggesting that Stellantis was in the process of overhauling its engine strategy.

But this time, there's almost no room for doubt. According to information from Brazil, the Group has taken a global decision: to phase out the 1.2L EB2 engine (PureTech/Turbo 100/TGEN3...), in favor of Fiat GSE Turbo timing chain engines. This decision is far from insignificant, and has a clear objective: to restore an image of reliability that has suffered in recent years.

PureTech in the sights

The 1.2 PureTech engine, long heralded as the cornerstone of Stellantis' European combustion strategy, now seems to be in the hot seat. Beyond the well-known belt problems, it's the engine's entire design that is being questioned internally. With the arrival of the Euro 7 standard, thermal and mechanical constraints are set to increase, making upgrades costly and technically complex. In this context, continuing to invest massively in this base no longer seems the most appropriate solution.

The comeback of Fiat GSE engines

Faced with this situation, Stellantis seems to have found a credible alternative on the Italian side, with GSE engines, also known as FireFly. Long considered secondary in the Group's organization, these engines are now back at the center of the game. And this return is not just symbolic: it is based on solid technical and industrial arguments.

In Brazil, these engines have already proved their worth on a large scale. In 2025 alone, Fiat registered more than 500,000 vehicles equipped with these engines, a volume that speaks volumes for their industrial maturity and perceived reliability. In recent years, millions of Fiat cars have been powered by these engines in Brazil.

The local versions of the 1.3L GSE engine deliver up to 185 hp and 270 Nm of torque, well up to today's standards. For its part, the 1.5L GSE used in Europe, notably on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, boasts 175 hp. Less power on paper, but with considerable potential once adapted and optimized.

Euro 7 and hybridization

The real challenge now lies in adapting these engines to future European standards. Stellantis is currently working on upgrading the 1.3L and 1.5L GSE engines to make them compatible with Euro 7. But above all, these engines should be combined with more advanced hybrid systems than the current micro-hybridization.

This is where another strategic element comes into play: the electrified eDCT gearbox. Produced at Metz, Mirafiori and soon Termoli, it could become a central element of this new generation of hybrid powertrains. The combination of a robust combustion engine, a high-performance turbo and an efficient electrified transmission would significantly reduce CO₂ emissions while maintaining attractive performance.

Italian industrial revenge

Beyond the technical aspects, this evolution also tells an industrial story. At the time of the merger between PSA and FCA, many imagined a lasting domination of French technologies. For several years, this was indeed the case, with the rapid spread of PureTech engines across many of the Group's brands.

But market realities, regulatory constraints and reliability issues now seem to be reshuffling the deck. Italian engines, thought to be doomed to disappear, could finally become Stellantis' thermal base for the next decade.

If this strategy is confirmed, it will mark a major turning point. The Group's future European models could be based on a simple but coherent architecture: electrified GSE Turbo engines for petrol, a modernized diesel for long-distance driving, and electric power to complete the range.

In this scenario, the 1.3L and 1.5L GSE, modernized, turbocharged and hybridized, appear to be the ideal candidates for meeting Euro 7 requirements while keeping costs under control. It's a complex equation that Stellantis now seems intent on solving by relying on a proven technical base.