While Stellantis is rolling out its 1.2L EB2 Gen3 engine on a large scale. Present in most B and C segment models, particularly in its 48V hybrid version, this combustion engine is about to undergo a new evolution.
From the criticized PureTech to the 1.2 EB2 Gen3
This engine, infamous under its former name PureTech, had suffered a bad reputation because of its oil-immersed timing belt. Since 2023, the third-generation EB2 Gen3 has replaced the belt with a chain, along with other evolutions designed to improve reliability. And despite its reputation, Stellantis continues to invest in this engine.
From MHEV to HEV: the real technological leap
Today, Stellantis' 1.2 Hybrid 48V is not a true HEV. It's an MHEV system, in which the 28 hp electric motor is mainly used to assist the internal combustion engine: low-speed maneuvering, energy recovery during braking, Stop&Start optimization, or even a "freewheel" mode on main roads when no power is required.
In other words, the driver is still driving a conventional, slightly electrified combustion engine car, whereas a Renault E-Tech or Toyota Hybrid allows long all-electric city driving. This is precisely where Stellantis is aiming to make its 1.2L EB2 a true HEV, capable of competing with Renault and Toyota on their own turf.
A more rational strategy for Stellantis
After Carlos Tavares' decision to focus R&D on all-electrics, the Group is now returning to a more pragmatic strategy. Gone are the costly projects in hydrogen or Level 3 autonomous driving systems: priority now goes to simple hybrid powertrains, essential for reducing CO₂ emissions while maintaining more affordable prices than electrics.
In the United States, Stellantis has already launched a 210 hp 1.6L HEVfor use on the new Jeep Cherokee, for example. due to arrive in Europe shortly. But the subject here is the little three-cylinder that will once again serve as the basis for the new hybrid offensive.
The future 1.2L HEV expected in 2028
According to our colleagues at L'Argus, Stellantis is preparing a new single-hybrid version of the 1.2 EB2 for 2028. Thanks to Punch Powertrain's DT2 electrified gearbox (already used on the 1.2 MHEV and 1.6 PHEV), this engine would achieve around 180 bhp, an unprecedented output for this three-cylinder in its road-qualified version.
The restyled Peugeot 3008 and the 5008 should inaugurate this engine, followed by the future Peugeot 308 and, eventually, other Group models. Brands such as Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo are also likely to be equipped.
A hybrid range under construction
In the years to come, Stellantis will offer a wide range of electrified motors:
- 1.2L MHEV (48V, 110 to 145 hp)
- 1.2L HEV (approx. 180 hp, from 2028)
- 1.6L HEV (210 hp, already launched in the USA, expected in Europe)
- 1.6L PHEV (195 to 225 hp)
- and possibly 2.0L and 3.0L PHEV for top-of-the-range models.
With this future 1.2L HEV, Stellantis intends to make up for lost time in the hybrid field and meet the demand from customers who don't want to or can't switch to 100 % electrics.
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Endlich eine neue positive Gesamtentwicklung.
It's stubbornness to want to upgrade the PureTech, because nobody wants it in an Italian car. As for the 1.6 from PSA, it's not inspiring either.
180 hp in a 3-cylinder engine is not unheard of: Toyota first offered the GR Yaris with 261 hp, and now with 280 hp (without hybridization).
@Stanislas, you criticize Stellantis' obstinacy to improve its PureTech ... You want them to stay on failures!?
Historically, engines of all kinds have sometimes started out with major teething problems... even among the best.
If the PureTech has been reliable for two years... Should it be dropped only for its liabilities?
The original PSA (and BMW) 1.6 was unreliable at first... For over 10 years, it's been one of the most reliable engines in the world!
So we shouldn't keep him either?
Not only are the 1.2 and 1.6 still unreliable, as the number of recalls constantly proves, but when brands bring out a catastrophic engine, they don't hesitate to quickly stop it, as we've seen at Alfa, Ford, Honda, Toyota...etc.
Understanding that an engine is a horror is not a failure to put an end to it, but a desire to move forward with a clean slate.
@Scudric, totally wrong about the 1.6... Not only is it very reliable... I speak from experience... And for more than 10 years, its reliability has been well above average!
Even when improved and made more reliable, the PureTech engine offers little in the way of pleasure, and it's a poorly-born engine, so I have no confidence in it.
FireFly engines are far more interesting. Why not replace the PureTech with the FireFly, at least in Italian cars?
The highly reliable 1.6 PSA/BMW according to which source?
1.6 PSA/BMW not reliable according to which source? @Stanislas
Have you heard of any reliability problems with the 1.6EP over the past 10 years?
Without leaving the old article nanars
It's an excellent engine, recognized by the engineering community.
Once his initial problems are sorted out, it's a great base.
All evidence to the contrary
@Scudric .... Well, start by proving it yourself!
You're spreading unproven information about the 1.6 and its reliability ...
The 1.6l is a BMW design, which today is remarkably reliable and robust.
Here again, all the evidence points to the contrary.
@Scudric .... Start applying your lessons!
I read that there were problems with the gearbox ....bref it really doesn't make you want to buy their bousin .
In addition 2028 so in 2 years (operational fall 2027), in short .....
P.S : Ecoboost from Ford , not reputed to be reliable either , in 1L version can produce 170 hp without electric help , after that I don't know if it's still in production in this version .
No, Ford and Honda quickly stopped the expense. Yes, there are also gearbox problems, but alas, they can come from an outside supplier, even if PSA gearboxes are never a marvel, as I've noticed on my 2 406 coupé, which cracks all the time and yet has very few kilometers on it.
Downsizing is a calamity and a big source of problems. They'd do better to stop this cursed engine and go back to more basic, reliable 4-cylinders. 3-cylinder 1.2 engines in large SUVs are a load of rubbish. They don't seem to be learning from their mistakes.
Italians with this rotten engine, whereas FPT engines are far more reliable and don't have the inordinate problems that Peugeot's do.
Stellantis is to be avoided, even if it makes me feel sorry for the group's Italian brands, as I drive a "real" Italian Fiat.
We couldn't agree with you more, and unfortunately we're not the only ones.
I've had three Peugeots and that's the end of it. I'll never buy anything from sellantis again, all their engines are rubbish. 60,000 km vehicles that are starting to eat oil, there's a big problem with Peugeot and their maintenance.
But when will they get rid of this catastrophic engine like the 1.6?
Not only do customers not want it, they insist on redesigning an engine riddled with incurable problems.
2 decades ago, this kind of engine would have gone straight into the garbage can and been put on a sound footing.
FPT knows how to make "real" engines so what's the point of continuing with these 2 nauseating disasters!!!!
@Scudric, Stellantis' 1.6 is remarkably weak and powerful!
What more do you want?
Good evening,
I own a DS4 thp 210 which has just celebrated its 10th birthday. It has just under 90,000 kilometers. I've never had any problems whatsoever.
The engine is both torquey and long-lasting, pushing the revs to over 6,000 rpm.
Stellantis digs his own grave, Tavares had bet everything on electrics because he knew full well that his petrol and diesel engines were a load of rubbish. As an Alfa Romeo Giulia owner, I'll be looking to the Germans or the Japanese for my next car.
Above all, Tavares has focused on savings, trying to sell Peugeots on the Stellantis brands, without understanding anything about Italian brands.
The belief in the rapid development of electric cars is another of his countless mistakes.
Tavares was an industrial disaster. But the worst thing is that we haven't come out of it, even though Tavares is no longer here.
We're going to end up with fireflies, aren't we? 🤔🤔🤔
Elimizdeki 1.2 pürtech ıslak kayış motorlar için bir çalışma varmı bilgilendirilmemizi rica ederiz. Aracımız 2004 model 3000 km pürtech ıslak kayış.
This engine is badly born, there's no point in holding on to it. We need to start from scratch, or build from the ground up.
They still haven't understood that they should simply abandon this crude engine and switch to FIAT blocks.
👍🏻
The association with PSA was not a good deal for FCA, which didn't have these engine problems before the association, and the French specialist press hid things well.
They made their worst mistake, FCA, and now the Peugeot family is gradually selling up to invest elsewhere. Exor is the fall guy in the story.
It seems that with this evolution, the one whose name we're not telling could now reach 30000km before the first engine problems...and consume less oil than petrol over its lifetime...great Peugeot performance!
Between theory and reality... it's all fantasy. Thank you PSA for bringing out the 2 horrors that are the 1.2 and 1.6, and all the customers who have been subjected to them will never come back.
More penny-pinching it seems. What's the point of "pushing" the crappy 3cyl towards 180hp when, as the others show (including Renault, whose more mature hybrid goes up to 1.8l), what counts is efficiency with a simple but well-designed internal combustion engine.
Let's not forget the ill-fated V6 PRV. It took French carmakers years to correct its shortcomings (which were not related to reliability, but to enjoyment).
A poorly born engine is often very hard to improve, and this 1.2 puretech has accumulated quite a few faults. Stellantis has a range of ex-FCA engines, which don't pose any reliability problems. So, yes, swapping engines is expensive, but it's better to cut off an arm than to die of gangrene.
Exactly.
Yes, you're right, because when Fiat bought the PRV to put in the Lancia Thema (which drank a lot and was unreliable for 2 cents), in competition in the 155s, they were constantly changing the PRV for engine failure like the F1 engines at the time.
In 2014 I bought a new 208, Peugeot service wasn't very good after a year, I bought a Renault clio, I'm not surprised, Peugeot problems, not to mention Merkel's twisted cost for Opel, they're cool at FCA
The BMW PSA 1.6 Turbo is a brilliant engine as long as you keep on top of it..it's not designed by BMW it was designed by PSA with all parts manufactured by them with BMW making it in England. I've had a 2010 R56 Cooper S Mini & have owned for the last 5 years or so 2014 Citroen DS3 Dsprt Thp.. They give good MPG & Performance but you must keep on top of them