The Eco Globe is supported by Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer and the CAR Institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen, DEVK Versicherung and the ACV (Automobil-Club Verkehr Germany) as well as the renowned action artist HA Schult. A sixmember jury composed of representatives from politics, TÜV, the insurance industry and science, awards the Eco Globe in a total of ten categories. These range from innovative fuels, volumeproduction vehicles and vehicle concepts right up to inspirational ecological ideas.
The Schaeffler Group received this year's award in the category for supplier innovation for the world's first fullyvariable hydraulic valve control system UniAir. This innovative valve control system made its market debut last year with the launch of the Alfa Romeo MiTo MultiAir. UniAir is the valve control system developed in collaboration between Fiat Powertrain Technologies and the Schaeffler Group and produced by the Schaeffler Group that is currently offered by Fiat and Alfa Romeo in different models with the names MultiAir and Twin Air.
The fullyvariable valve control system reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions - in conjunction with downsizing - by up to 25 percent. The improvements in starting, part load and acceleration behavior are especially noticeable. During the warmup phase, for instance, hydrocarbon emissions (HC) are reduced by up to 40 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) even drop by up to 60 percent. In addition, UniAir also benefits the driving pleasure by increasing performance, torque and optimizing engine response.
The fullyvariable valve control system is an appropriate response to the ever more stringent regulations concerning reductions in emissions and fuel consumption. The system offers an attractive option for preparing existing engine series for the future and is excellently suited for downsizing solutions.
The award was received by Dr. Wolfgang Reik, who is responsible for Advanced Development in Schaeffler Group Automotive and Development at Schaeffler's LuK brand. "UniAir demonstrates the innovative force and production expertise of the Schaeffler Group, which has, amongst other things, made a name for itself by developing and manufacturing a wide range of different valve train components and valve control technologies for many decades". And it is also an impressive demonstration of the tireless and targeted development work, because the world's first hydraulic valve control system is ultimately the result of a consistent development process lasting several years," said Dr. Wolfgang Reik.
UniAir
The UniAir valve train actuator, invented by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and developed and produced under license by the Schaeffler Group, is a key component of the Fiat Powertrain Technologies MultiAir system, which made its debut in the middle of 2009 with the introduction of the Alfa MiTo 1.4 MultiAir. This continuously varible valve train allows several advantages in terms of reducting of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and as well as increasing engine performance. MultiAir is a registered trademark of Fiat.