Fiat’s breakthrough MultiAir technology effectively reduces fuel consumption and toxic emissions

After introducing the world to two generations of common rail direct-injection diesel engine technology, UniJet and MultiJet, the Fiat Group has now launched a fundamental breakthrough in petrol engine design called MultiAir.

MultiAir technology dramatically cuts fuel consumption, significantly boosts power (up to 10 per cent) and torque (up to 15 per cent), while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by between 10 per cent and 25 per cent. It also reduces emissions of up to 60 per cent of other engine pollutants.

Optimum valve control strategies during engine warm-up and internal exhaust gas recirculation, which is realised by re-opening the intake valves during the exhaust stroke, result in reduced emissions. The range varies from 40 per cent for unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (HC/CO), to up to a 60 per cent cut in oxides of nitrogen or NOx.

What’s more interesting is that MultiAir technology is applicable to all internal combustion engines, regardless of the fuel used, making it adaptable for diesel engines to reduce their NOx emissions and make particulate filters significantly more effective.