Alfa Romeo

MultiAir Technology

MultiAir is an award winning (International Best New Engine of the Year 2010, 1.4 TB MultiAir) innovative technology fitted to the most recent Alfa Romeos. MultiAir represents an important break with the current petrol engine scenario, just as Common Rail engine was at the launch of the Alfa Romeo 156 in 1997.

Benefits

The main advantages of MultiAir:

• Maximum Power is increased by between 10% and 35% thanks to the adoption of a power-orientated "virtual" cam profile.
• Low rpm torque is improved by up to 15% thanks to direct control over valve opening.
• An improvement of up to 12% in acceleration thanks to the greater air mass pressure.
• A reduction of up to 10% in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to the elimination of pumping losses.

From a technical view point, the MultiAir takes the spark-ignition engine to limits of efficiency that were once unthinkable.

MultiAir engines do away with the traditional inlet camshaft, valve control is now hydraulic allowing for instant changes in the "virtual" camshaft profile that is being used.

The results of this system are truly revolutionary: it is also possible to open the same valves twice during the same cycle, surpassing the structural limits of the mechanical camshafts. By removing the pumping losses and friction associated with driving an inlet camshaft and by allowing 4 different injection cycles, MultiAir technology is a significant achievement from an environmental and economic perspective: the MultiAir reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Technical Explanation

MultiAir technology allows much more flexible control of the engine's air intake compared to mechanical distribution systems.

In a conventional petrol engine the flow of air into the engine is controlled by the camshaft. This has limited adjustability and therefore is not the most efficient way of the engine breathing. With MultiAir different valve opening and closing strategies are employed to optimise the efficiency of combustion.

For example, the moment the driver lifts off the throttle MultiAir is able to shut the relevant valves to suit the new requirement of the driver. Should the driver then accelerate hard the MultiAir control allows for instant response with the engine adopting its most aggressive air management strategy. It's this revolutionary instant response and adaptability that helped the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 bhp win the "Best New Engine of the Year" in 2010.