So yes, it's not a totally new story. At the end of 2023, we were among the first to announce that Peugeot to launch a 208 with a Fiat engine for the South American market. A few months later, in early 2024, was the Citroën C3which was also powered by a Fiat engine. But now, at the beginning of September 2025, there's still plenty to smile about: Peugeot unveils its new 208 and 2008 hybrids... and guess what? They too are powered by a Fiat engine.
The 1.0 Turbo 200 engine from Fiat
These new versions are based on the now familiar 130 hp 1.0L Turbo 200 engine, already used in the Fiat Pulse and Fastback. This three-cylinder aluminum engine, equipped with MultiAir III technology, stands out for its flexibility at low revs and its efficiency. But the big novelty is its association with an electric motor via an MHEV system, supported by a 12 V lithium-ion battery.
This is not a plug-in hybrid or even a full hybrid, but a mild hybridization. The result: up to 10 % less fuel consumption in the urban cycle and around 8 % less CO₂ emissions. Peugeot speaks of a gain in comfort and silence thanks to functions such as Advanced Start & Stop, e-Braking and e-Coasting, which recover energy during deceleration and braking.
Figures not so far from European engines
The fact remains that it's not easy to compare these data with those of European versions. According to the figures available, a Peugeot 208 equipped with the 1.0L Turbo 200 without hybridization is announced at 104 g/km of CO₂, while the 208 1.2L (PureTech Gen 3) is between 101 and 105 g/km. In other words, the difference is minimal... provided the Brazilian measurements are carried out to the same standards as in Europe.
Why not in Europe?
One might ask why this proven Fiat engine is not offered in Europe. The answer can be summed up in one word: rationalization. Stellantis has chosen to specialize its engines by market. Thus :
- In Europe, priority is given to the 1.2L Gen 3 and 1.6L Hybrid (and hopefully soon to the 2.0L GME).
- In Latin America, the 1.0 T200 and 1.3 T270 dominate.
- In North America, the trend remains towards larger engines (2.0L, 3.0L and more), even though the 1.6L made a recent appearance on the new Jeep Cherokee.
Deliberately simplified communication
Here's a fun fact: in 2025, we're no longer talking about Fiat Firefly, GSE or PureTech engines. Stellantis prefers more neutral names such as 1.0L Turbo 200, 1.2L Gen 3 or 1.6L Hybrid, in order to confuse us about the real origins of the engines. But enthusiasts are well aware that behind this "Turbo 200" designation, there's a Fiat heart beating under the hood of the Peugeot 208 and 2008.
The launch of these hybrid models marks a further step forward for Stellantis in South America. In Europe, the 1.2L and 1.6L will continue to be used, but on the other side of the Atlantic, Stellantis is relying on Fiat technology to electrify its best-sellers. A logical strategy... but one that is sure to fuel discussions between Italian and French car enthusiasts.
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FireFly engines are far superior to PureTech engines. But they're not available in Europe, apart from the 70hp on the Fiat 500!
Unbelievable.
The Firefly T3 was offered on the Fiat 500X in France, with 120CH, and on the Tipo II with 100CH. My 4-door Tipo II is equipped with it.
190NM at 1500rpm, when maneuvering it feels a bit like a diesel... (torque at low revs)
I've been giving it 50% of E85 (the rest usually 95-E5) since the beginning. I've been driving like this for 50,000 km now, and it runs just as well as on petrol alone.
Well, all you have to do is adapt this 1.0 Firefly turbo hybrid to the Abarth 500, pushed to 150 HP, and it's possible.
Se sono fatti bene, non vedo il problema.......
Il problema è che in Europa sono i motori Puretech, poco affidabili e rumorosi, a sostituire gradualmente i Firefly nella gamma Fiat: nella 600, nella Grande Panda e nelle prossime Fastback e SUV compatte. In Termoli lo stabilimento è in fase di chiusura.
Interesting... but it's still a 3cyl 1.0l. In short, a whole racket of equipment, multiair turbo... to consume 5l on average. My wife's Honda has a 4cyl 1.5l atmo that consumes 4l and has been reliable for 20 years.
Just as connoisseurs know that the 1.2L and 1.6L are PureTech.
Wrong, the 1.6 is not a Puretech but the THP designed by BMW.
I'm sure Termoli's employees are laughing their heads off...
At first I thought it was about European Peugeot engines, so I said to myself, well, Stellantis is finally realizing what a disaster his Puretoc engines are, but that hope was short-lived when I reread....
PEUGEOT would be better off making a 308 convertible or something rather than shoeboxes.....
I don't see what the Firefly and Puretech have to do with it, the manufacturers don't offer convertibles any more, as they don't sell any more, people only want the Suv.
Co2 emissions are very close indeed... But are they measured with the same fuel? Very unlikely, because in Brazil the common fuel for petrol engines is E30, which is accompanied by E100 in many stations. There's no E5 like we have here. And ethanol, by its very nature, greatly reduces Co2 emissions. For me, the only reason for choosing this engine is quite simply the massive use of ethanol in South America. The Firefly was already adapted. Not the Puretech.
No Twin Air engines survive even as a hybrid. Fiat 500e isn't shared with any other brand. Stellantis is squandering it all.
The Firefly T3 has been mounted on cars in Europe: on the Fiat 500X and Tipo II.
I have this engine on my restyled Tipo 2 (2020), a "normal" 4-door sedan (not the Tipo SUV which arrived quickly afterwards).
I trust the Brazilian approach more, after all they are the market leaders with proven reliability.
Weg mit Trump
Io o acquistato da poco una Citroen C3 Air cross del 2023 con motore 1200 turbo benzina 3 cilindri con cinghia a bagno d'olio grossa cavolata e poi non capisco che senso ha fare un motore 3 cilindri 1200 turbo benzina e poi consuma più di un 2000 TD o più di una 1600 benzina e con problemi che rompe la cinghia prima dei km previsti
This is the engine that I want in the new Fiat 500 hybrid that's just ready to start being made. Unfortunately I am not sure if it will have enough room for the turbo. So at the moment it's due to be launched without the turbo as only 70 bhp plus battery to aid low speed acceleration.