Fiat Research Center

Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF), known in English as the Fiat Research Center, is the applied research and innovation arm of Stellantis, the multinational automotive group formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Groupe. Founded in 1978, CRF is headquartered in Orbassano, a suburb south of Turin, Italy, and operates through a network of seven locations across the country, including secondary sites in Turin, Pomigliano d'Arco, Bologna, Valenzano, Melfi, and Trento. The centre employs over 900 engineers and physicists and has accumulated more than 1,200 patents and patent applications. CRF's mission is to develop vehicle and powertrain systems that improve environmental sustainability, as well as connectivity technologies, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and autonomous driving solutions for future vehicle architectures. It also develops innovative materials, methodologies, and processes to enhance the competitiveness of Stellantis products. The centre represents Stellantis in collaborative research at national and European levels, participating in precompetitive research projects and promoting a network of contacts and partnerships internationally. It supports Stellantis in enhancing the value of its intangible capital, including patents and intellectual property. Strategically, CRF focuses on several key areas: eco-friendly, safe and sustainable mobility; autonomous driving and connectivity; digital technologies and artificial intelligence; critical raw materials; circular economy; and advanced manufacturing. In these domains, CRF develops innovative technologies for electrification, connectivity, autonomous driving, advanced materials, and process digitalization, transforming research into solutions that deliver greater value and an increasingly sustainable, connected, and intelligent mobility experience for Stellantis customers. CRF promotes an open innovation model, collaborating with universities, research centres, and industrial partners in Italy and abroad to accelerate sustainable, connected, and safe mobility. Its main site is located at Strada Torino, 50, 10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy. The organisation is led by President Ned Curic, CEO Giorgio Cornacchia, and General Manager Guglielmo Caviasso. Throughout its history, CRF has been responsible for numerous automotive innovations, including the common rail diesel injection system, the Multijet system, early electric and hybrid vehicle prototypes, and advanced driver-assistance technologies. It remains a key player in European automotive research, contributing to the competitiveness of Stellantis and the broader industry.

Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) was founded in 1978 as the central research and innovation hub for the Fiat group companies. It was established in Orbassano, south of Turin, and over time expanded with satellite offices in Trento, Pomigliano d'Arco, Valenzano, Catania, and Udine. The centre quickly became one of Europe's most important automotive research facilities, alongside institutions such as the Polytechnic University of Turin, the University of Turin, Telecom Italia's research lab, and the Galileo Ferraris Institute. CRF's early years were marked by pioneering work in alternative propulsion and vehicle electrification. In 1978, it developed the first mobile cogenerator for extreme environments, from the poles to the equator, running on diesel and biogas. That same year, it presented the Fiat City Car X1/23, an electric city car concept with a top speed of 75 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 400 metres in 30 seconds, and a range of 70 km, weighing 820 kg including 166 kg of nickel-zinc batteries. Also in 1978, CRF produced the first model of the electric IVECO Daily van and the first laser welding robot. In 1981, CRF introduced the first autonomous on-board computer in a car to signal faults and breakdowns, and the first direct-injection diesel engine for passenger cars, the 237ID, tested in a Fiat 131 Panorama. In 1985, it developed the first high-speed diesel engine for cars, a 1,930 cm3 unit with turbocharger producing 115 hp, while comparable engines did not exceed 65 hp. In 1986, the Fiat X1/75 prototype was built on a Fiat Uno base with a two-cylinder 708 cm3 direct-injection diesel engine consuming 2.5 litres per 100 km; a two-cylinder 574 cm3 petrol engine with similar consumption was also tested. Both prototypes had automatic transmissions. In 1987, CRF installed the first automatic robot for windshield assembly on assembly lines, a world first at the Cassino plant. In 1988, it developed a three-dimensional laser welding robot for assembling the American space shuttle. In 1989, it introduced a solar ventilation system to prevent buses from overheating when parked in the sun, using photovoltaic cells, and the first four-wheel steering system on passenger cars with electronic steering control. In 1991, CRF patented the common rail fuel system for diesel engines and an anti-collision system between vehicles using radar and laser. In 1992, it patented a robotized gearbox, first used by Ferrari in Formula 1 and later adapted for the Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed in 1998. In 1993, the ALERT prototype, part of the European Prometheus project, was built on an Alfa Romeo 164, equipped with Magneti-Marelli cruise control, anti-collision system, remote automatic piloting, rear and front parking radars, and overtaking sensors. In 1996, CRF produced the first Fiat hybrid car, the VANZIC, and patented a headlamp with diffractive lenses. In 1999, a Fiat Brava hybrid prototype with automatic transmission was developed, along with the Fiat Ecobasic concept car, an urban vehicle with a 1.2-litre Multijet Euro 4 diesel engine, robotized continuously variable transmission, Stop & Start system, fuel consumption of 2.9 litres/100 km, and a drag coefficient of just 0.28. In 2001, CRF launched the Fiat Panda H2Elettra Fuel Cell, the world's first car equipped with such a system. In 2002, the common rail system evolved into the Multijet system. In 2003, the Fiat Seicento Fuel Cell was added to the manufacturer's catalogue. In 2004, CRF introduced LED vehicle lighting. In 2006, the Fiat Panda II H2 Hydrogen was presented. In 2008, the Fiat Phylla prototype, an electric car with integrated photovoltaic cells to extend range, was unveiled. That same year, CRF celebrated its 30th anniversary. Following the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Groupe to form Stellantis in 2021, CRF became a Stellantis company, continuing its research and innovation activities under the new group. Today, CRF operates seven locations in Italy, manages over 100 active research projects, and holds more than 1,200 patents and patent applications. It remains a key player in European automotive research, collaborating with universities, research centres, and industrial partners to accelerate sustainable, connected, and safe mobility.

• 2021

  Became a Stellantis company following the merger of FCA and PSA Groupe.

• 2008

  Unveiled Fiat Phylla electric prototype with integrated photovoltaic cells; celebrated 30th anniversary.

• 2002

  Common rail system evolved into Multijet system.

• 2001

  Launched Fiat Panda H2Elettra Fuel Cell, world's first car with such a system.

• 1999

  Developed Fiat Brava hybrid prototype and Fiat Ecobasic concept car with 2.9 l/100 km consumption.

• 1996

  Produced first Fiat hybrid car, the VANZIC, and patented headlamp with diffractive lenses.

• 1992

  Patented robotized gearbox, first used by Ferrari in Formula 1.

• 1991

  Patented common rail fuel system for diesel engines and anti-collision system using radar and laser.

• 1989

  Introduced solar ventilation system for buses and first four-wheel steering system on passenger cars.

• 1987

  Installed first automatic robot for windshield assembly on assembly lines at Cassino plant.

• 1985

  Developed first high-speed diesel engine for cars, 1,930 cm3 with turbocharger producing 115 hp.

• 1981

  Introduced first autonomous on-board computer in a car and first direct-injection diesel engine for passenger cars (237ID).

• 1978

  CRF founded as the central research and innovation hub for Fiat group companies.

• 1978

  Developed first mobile cogenerator for extreme environments and the Fiat City Car X1/23 electric concept.

Stellantis centre of excellence for future mobility, focusing on electric propulsion, autonomous driving, software, and innovative materials.

• Common Rail injection system

  Patented in 1991, became a standard for diesel engines.

• Multijet system

  Evolution of common rail, introduced in 2002.

• Fiat Panda H2Elettra Fuel Cell

  World's first car equipped with a fuel cell system, launched in 2001.

• Fiat Phylla

  Electric prototype with integrated photovoltaic cells, presented in 2008.

1. 1CRF Official Websitecrf.it
2. 2CRF Company Pagecrf.it
3. 3Wikidata: Fiat Research Centerwikidata.org
4. 4Wikipedia (French): Centro Ricerche Fiatfr.wikipedia.org