Alfa Romeo is ushering in the next generation of diesel technology with the introduction of MultiJet II.

The MultiJet II diesel engine marks its arrival in the form of the Alfa MiTo 1.3 JTDM-2.

This new engine complements the Alfa MiTo philosophy of lowered emissions and fuel consumption without compromising performance and driver satisfaction.

Available in three trim levels: Turismo, Lusso and Veloce, the new MultiJet II engine increases the Alfa MiTo’s credentials as the sportiest compact car, providing increased acceleration and power, but with lower emissions and fuel consumption.

Developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), MultiJet II is a continuation of FPT’s remarkable technological pedigree.

Introduced in 2003, MultiJet was a development of UniJet which debuted on the Alfa 156 JTD in 1997. It improved the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine by introducing five injections during the same combustion cycle.

Now in 2010 the Alfa MiTo benefits from the next generation of MultiJet technology.

Thanks to a new balanced solenoid servo valve, MultiJet II is able to control with high precision, the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder, with a quicker and more flexible injection sequence.

The new MultiJet II system can manage eight injections per cycle.

It also offers higher flexibility in managing multiple injections, resulting in further optimisation of diesel combustion. In particular it has a new injection modality called Injection Rate Shaping (IRS) which consists of two consecutive injections with zero hydraulic dwell.

This has a positive effect on combustion at higher loads, allowing for improved trade-off in terms of emissions, fuel consumption and noise.

It all means that the second generation 1.3-litre MultiJet provides the driver with an engine that complies with Euro 5 emissions legislation, yet in 95bhp form gives the Alfa MiTo a 0-62mph acceleration time of 11.6 seconds while returning 65.7mpg (combined cycle) and emitting just 112g/km of CO2.

To further improve the Alfa MiTo’s greener engine credentials, the 1.3 MultiJet II engine comes with Start&Stop and features a Diesel Particulate Filter.

The engine also employs a second generation turbocharger with variable vane geometry, which, along with the MultiJet II injection system, ensures the best possible turbo function at any engine operating level.

The big advantage the new Euro 5 engine has over the outgoing Euro 4 power-plant is that torque delivery at low RPM can be up to 25% greater.

(PR/GK)