Camless engine may debut on 2009 Fiat 500, Alfa Junior
It's been bandied about for some time, but Valeo is looking to finally make it a reality. The supplier is developing a camless engine that utilizes electromagnetic solenoids to drive the valves, providing unlimited control of the valves, reducing emissions by up to 20-percent and improving performance in the process.The system, which is also being developed by both Jacobs Vehicle Systems of Connecticut and Lotus Engineering, has had its share of fits and starts. Packaging issues have caused problems for all involved, particularly on engines with three or four valves per cylinder.
Although Valeo has yet to get an automaker to sign on, industry sources claim that Fiat is looking to employ a similar system, dubbed Multiair, on the 2009 900cc 500 and possibly some of its diesel offerings. Alfa Romeo might get in the game as well, when it releases the "Junior" model with a turbocharged inline four.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
tony 7:04AM (3/03/2008)
Ok. so when do we put our minds into inventing a better valve?
valves haven't changed much at all since the first one was invented.
why can't we figure out a way to lower the mass of the valve and it's asscociated parts.
Time to pretend that you have never seen a valve, and start thinking from scratch...
Toeman
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Arjun 11:57AM (3/30/2008)
hey ppl just think of royal enfield sales if itz been implemented to the thunderbird or the 500 LB
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Glifford 8:50AM (1/07/2008)
Don't know why this took so long! Should have happened ages ago! But
anyway.. finally..
Seems like the next logical step after CDI and FI!
Suddenly the VTEC sounds outdated! :)
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jJack 8:59AM (1/07/2008)
What happens when a fuse blows from the solenoid? Fuses been known to blow sometime just from old age. This could be a major problem.
Andrew 9:19AM (1/07/2008)
That's why God invented engineers. If they're developing the technology, they're going to consider longevity.
FThorn 9:24AM (1/07/2008)
And accountants to OPPOSE THEM.
Russell 9:42AM (1/07/2008)
Hopefuly pushrod vs OHC will be put to rest soon.
Imagine pushrodless LSx engine in a Corvette.
This might be the reason GM canceled their OHC V8 program.
EMC 6:45PM (1/07/2008)
ummmm, maybe it's taken so long because it is a very complex and demanding bit of engineering, and located in a corrosive and unfriendly environment?
That's like asking why they waited so long to start mapping out the human genome and look into genetics.
:S
The Other Bob 9:17AM (1/07/2008)
Maybe this will finally put the lame OHC Vs. Pushrod debate to rest.
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Andrew 9:00AM (1/07/2008)
If this is reliable and can spin decent rpm, nice work!
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Alex 9:04AM (1/07/2008)
This is good news!
Increased power, and fuel effeciency. Add this to a DI, twin turbo v6 set up (i'm looking at you Audi), sweet!
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Pete 9:20AM (1/07/2008)
I wonder if this is trickle down from F1? At least in Fiat's case.
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Ligor 9:44AM (1/07/2008)
a few years ago when data was given that this tech was expected to make it to cars in the coming future I for sure thought it'd b one of the bigger companies that would bring this first, Tayota, GM, Honda, Ford, M-B
I would have never expected Fiat to bring this out first. with the new 35mpg enforcemtn coming soon, I think this would have been the way to go together with the diesotto gas engine M-B has coming out soon.
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Frick 10:18AM (1/07/2008)
you don't think Fiat is one of the bigger companies??? you better do some research then....
Cesare Consaga 10:52AM (1/07/2008)
OHV vs OHC? Well, the nod goes to OHC in the case of future 'camless' engines. In the interests of breathing deeply, they will retain a 4-valve head structure, a byproduct of a basic DOHC engine design.
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Derek 11:53AM (1/07/2008)
OHC? you mean that outdated, pre-WW1 technology that adds size and weight to an engine?
A OHV V8 of 6+ liters is of similar size and weight to a 3.x liter DOHC V6.
I too was once blinded by the slick words of the marketeers, but thesedays I am a fan of the newer OHV technology.
EMC 6:44PM (1/07/2008)
Yes, that old technology that is used in almost every race car and proper "sports car".
[sarcasm]
Silly to use old technology, like electric cars, seatbelts, fuel injection, supercharger/turbochargers, the wheel... what were we thinking?!
[/sarcasm]
Derek 7:38AM (1/09/2008)
If everyone else jumped off the bridge, would you too?
Corvette is doing just fine in plenty of racing venues with only one cam. So is Viper. Both are great sports cars and to buy a vehicle that can rival them in performance takes a fair amount more coin. (How many 'Vettes can I buy for the cost of a Porsche???)
ColinToal 12:16PM (1/07/2008)
A few years ago (five or more) MIT Technology Review magazine did a cover story on incremental changes to internal combustion engines that would increase fuel economy (i.e. not hybrid electric or anything 'wacky' like that). Electronic valve timing and control (using solenoids) was one of their highlights. They said BMW was leading the research on it and had built prototype powerplants.
Its a great idea. Less internal engine friction, better control over individual valves. It could even make displacement on demand systems more efficient and simple.
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Vikhead 12:07AM (1/08/2008)
I remember reading an article in a motoring mag a couple of years ago about Saab's variable compression engine, and in it, it had an interview of the chief technical designer who mentioned that the one of the future developments that will most probably be introduced into main-stream engine production is solenoid valves.
He also said that, as you mentioned, BMW, had a prototype, and were leading the research on such valve control devices.
In the interview, he also said that BMW ran into some serious problems with the technology, and that it was all fine and dandy below 3000-4000 RPM, but above 4000 RPM, the solenoids were simply not powerful enough to move the valves at those velocities, and were not, I think the word he used was, rugged enough, for daily use.
Remembering this article is probably 3-4 years old, im sure recent tech developments have allowed solutions to many of these problems
I think its a wonderful idea too that, if reliability is assured, that this would increase efficiency in engines.
I think the target that he mentioned was 2010, for BMW to begin to introduce these systems into production cars.