Alfa Romeo's MultiAir engine, the single most innovative engine technology to appear in the past 12 months, has been rewarded by the International Engine of the Year Awards judging panel with the title of Best New Engine of 2010 and Australian motorists are only a matter of weeks away from being able to sample this cutting edge technology.
The MultiAir engine range will power a range of vehicles from Alfa Romeo and Fiat, but the first to arrive is the Alfa Romeo Mito Quadrifoglio, the range topping variant, which is set to debut in late July.
MultiAir employs an electrohydraulic system to independently control each cylinder's inlet air charge. Depending on the driving situation, there are five main modes of inlet valve timing and lift, but in principle MultiAir enables infinitely variable control of the inlet valves.
The system is particularly special because it is able to increase power and torque while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The concept is therefore ideal for today's world of eco-conscious, downsized automotive powertrains.
Fiat Powertrain Technologies, which has developed and patented the system, says that, compared with a traditional petrol engine of the same displacement, a MultiAir unit brings up to 10% more power and 15% more torque, while improving fuel economy by up to 10% and reducing emissions, whether they be CO2 (-10%), particulate matter (-40%) or NOx (-60%).
In the 125 kW variant of the winning 1.4-litre turbo engine used in the Alfa Romeo Mito Quadrifoglio, it offers 6.0 l/100km (47mpg) on the combined cycle, which is more than half a litre less than the previous 114 kW, non-MultiAir engine. A start/stop system also helps cut fuel consumption levels. At the same time, with a 0-100 kmh time of 7.5 seconds and a 219 kmh top speed, the Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio is also a true sporting performer.
The judges were predictably enamoured with a system that offers such impressive benefits.
"Fiat's MultiAir gives traditional internal combustion a breath of fresh air via an entirely new set of valvetrain strategies," was the verdict of respected technical journalist, Dennis Simanaitis of Road & Track.
Fiat and Alfa Romeo plan to roll MultiAir out across additional engine families. Next to benefit will be the eagerly anticipated two-cylinder turbo, which is on track to offer an astonishing 78 kW!
