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Tomorrow’s world: Fiat's MultiAir engine tech

By Jesse Crosse Motor Industry 14 October 2009 16:50 Fiat this year launches what it claims is a big step forward in variable valve timing: MultiAir. It's the first time that a manufacturer has made a properly variable valve system a production reality, and will slowly be rolled out across most of Fiat's and Alfa's car ranges.How does Fiat's MultiAir vary from existing variable valve timing (VVT) systems?Current VVT systems rely on mechanical systems to open and close the valves. Engineers have long understood the benefits of changing valve opening and closing times to tweak an engine's power and emissions performance, depending on the need for power or parsimony.Valves are an engine's nose and mouth – it inhales through inlet valves and exhales through exhaust valves.

Ferrari 456: why Maranello is considering a V6 entry-level supercar

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 25 August 2014 07:00 Ferrari is readying the next generation of supercars – and we’ve already reported how it’s about to start turbocharging the majority of its sports cars. But there’s another corner of Maranello’s R&D skunkworks which is developing V6 power for future sports cars. We do not have official confirmation yet, but intelligence indicates that the new twin-turbo V6 is a 2.9-litre unit, designed to be long-term street-legal and affordable in big growth markets such as China.

Smart ForTwo

First launched in 1998 as the MCC Smart City Coupe, the ForTwo has been redeveloped as it moves towards the North American market. Length has increased from 2.5m to just under 2.7m - for greater crash protection and more trunk space, which now stands at 340 liters when packed to the roof. Regulations have also seen the IP straightened out, though the prominent air vents remain.