Fiat’s not planning to give up its title as the lowest CO 2 -producing line in Europe any time soon. While diesel engines remain the best choice when carbon emissions are the main concern, the Italian automaker has invested plenty of research and development into its Multiair technology for gasoline powerplants. The latest engines using this tech were unveiled earlier this week at the Geneva Motor Show , as e xpected . Nearly all automakers have some form of variable valve technology. Fiat’s system is unique in that it uses an electro-hydraulic system to actuate the valves as opposed to the more common electro-mechanical setup. This relatively simple system can alter the timing of the valve’s opening and closing in relation to how much power or efficiency is required at any specific moment. Fiat claims its Multiair technology allows for a 10 percent improvement in horsepower, a 15 percent improvement in low-rpm torque and a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and carbon emissions. Since the powerplant can be made smaller for a given power requirement, further gains are possible over a conventional engine. For a more detailed explanation of how all of this works, click past the break. Thanks for the tip, Jules ! [Source: Fiat] Continue reading Geneva 2009: Fiat unveils new Multiair engine line Auto Blog: Emerging Technologies , MPG , Fiat , Geneva Motor Show Geneva 2009: Fiat unveils new Multiair engine line originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Geneva 2009: Fiat unveils new Multiair engine line