When the 2013 Dodge Dart arrives in the showrooms this summer, two of its three available engines will feature an important new technology never before offered in an American production car. Its called MultiAir®.
While the science behind MultiAir® is highly sophisticated, the underlying principle is simple: Optimize air flow at all times for maximum efficiency. The MultiAir® system controls engine airflow directly at the intake valve. This allows airflow into the cylinder to be optimized and tailored for each individual combustion.
MultiAir® technology also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent with a matching increase in fuel economy. Power is increased 10 percent throughout the engines operating range, while low-speed torque the punch the driver feels with the accelerator pedal is increased 15 percent.
Both powerplants, the 1.4-liter MultiAir® Intercooled Turbo and the naturally aspirated Tigershark 2.4-liter MultiAir®, will be manufactured in a state-of-the-art Chrysler plant in Dundee, Michigan.
The preliminary ratings for the Dart 1.4 MultiAir® Turbo engine are 160 hp (118 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque (249 Nm) at 2,500 rpm. The 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir® is tentatively rated at 184 hp (137 kW) at 6,250 rpm with 171 lb.-ft. (232 Nm) of torque, and is scheduled for availability in the third quarter of 2012.