Alfa Romeo introduces cleaner, more powerful 1.4L MultiAir engine in the MiTo

Alfa Romeo has introduced a new downsized engine to the compact MiTo that will improve output while cutting fuel consumption and emissions. The so-called MultiAir 1.4-liter four cylinder is available in normally aspirated and turbocharged variants in three power levels: 105, 135 and 170 hp. The key to the MultiAir concept is an electro-hydraulic valve control that allows the engine management system to directly control the intake valves in response to driver acceleration demands without a throttle. BMW has had the same concept on its six cylinder engines for several years under the ValveTronic name.

The MultiAir system allows the engine to produce 10% more power and 15% more torque while consuming 10% less gas than a conventional throttle version of the same engine. CO₂ emissions are also cut by 10% while particulates and NOx are cut by 40% and 60% respectively. The MiTo with MultiAir will be available in Europe starting in September.

[Source: Alfa Romeo]

PRESS RELEASE:

"MultiAir" is launched on the Alfa Romeo MiTo

Just a year after the celebrations for the Centenary and as ever a synonym of refined technologies and high performance engines, Alfa Romeo announces the marketing from September of the Alfa Romeo MiTo with 1.4 Turbo petrol MultiAir engines, the revolutionary technology developed and patented by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies. The range of a winning model is therefore even broader, for a model which, since its launch to date, has seen 60,000 orders and is sold in 34 Countries throughout the world in 5 different continents.

The new engines are an important "breaking point" from the current petrol engine scenario, just as was the case for the diesel Common Rail technology which saw its debut on the Alfa Romeo 156 in 1997. Just think that, compared to a traditional petrol engine with the same displacement, MultiAir engines ensure an increase in power (up to 10%) and torque (up to 15%), as well as a considerable reduction in consumption levels (up to 10%) and CO2 emissions (up to 10%), of particulates (up to 40%) and NOx (up to 60%).

The heart of the MultiAir is the new electro-hydraulic valve control system which makes it possible to reduce consumption levels (thanks to direct air control via the engine suction valves, without the use of the throttle) and polluting emissions (thanks to the combustion control). What's more, an emblem of the concept of "downsizing", the Multiair is a versatile technology, easily applied to all petrol engines, with a future potential development on diesel engines, too.

The head of this revolutionary family is the MultiAir 1.400 16v turbocharged and aspirated engine which on the Alfa Romeo MiTo model will be available with 3 different power levels (105 HP, 135 HP and 170 HP) and combined with 5 or 6 gear manual gearboxes. While the first two are offered on all versions of the MiTo range, the third will be exclusively available on the special version called "Quadrifoglio Verde" (Green Four-leaved Clover), debutting after the launch.

Made in Termoli (CB) at the FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies factory, the new MultiAir engines were designed from the onset of their development to enhance further the Alfa DNA selector, the device which makes it possible to adapt the personality of the Alfa Romeo MiTo to the requirements of the driver and the different road conditions. What's more, for the first time on the "most sporty compact car ever", the Start&Stop system will debut - combined with the MultiAir engines. This system controls the temporary turning off of the engine and its subsequent restarting (for example when stopped at a set of traffic lights), keeping all the car's other devices intended for the passengers' comfort in operation.

Turin, June 15th 2009