At the recent Fiat Group Supplier Conference in Turin, Schaeffler Group Automotive was awarded a Fiat Group Supplier Award in the category Best Supplier Technical Development Support in 2007.

At the recent Fiat Group Supplier Conference in Turin, Schaeffler Group Automotive was awarded a Fiat Group Supplier Award in the category Best Supplier Technical Development Support in 2007.

The Fiat Group Supplier Award is given out annually to those suppliers that have displayed outstanding capabilities with regard to innovation, project management, stringent technical development and cooperation. The award recognised the Schaeffler achievements in developing the new 'MultiAir', their INA-branded fully variable valve train concept, as well as twin clutch development projects for direct shift gearboxes, carried out by the Schaeffler LuK division.

Dr Peter Pleus, President Engine Systems Division, and Norbert Indlekofer, President Transmission and Chassis Systems Division, were present at the awards ceremony in Turin to accept the award on behalf of Schaeffler Group.

'This award is further proof that our overall system know-how in the field of engine and transmission systems is also acknowledged by our customers,' comments Dr Peter Pleus. 'In addition to system know-how, both products - INA MultiAir and the twin clutch from LuK - offer significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions and are therefore fully in line with the automotive industry approach for sustainable development for the future,' emphasises Norbert Indlekofer.

MultiAir is a cam-actuated, electro-hydraulic valve train system, which can be applied to both spark ignition and diesel engines. The system uses the existing engine oil circuit and, when combined with a spark ignition engine, reduces fuel consumption considerably, while also increasing performance and torque. When applied to diesel engines, emissions control is improved significantly.

The LuK dry twin clutch for double clutch transmissions offers gear changes without torque interruption and therefore improves driver comfort. Compared to conventional automatic transmissions, fuel consumption can be reduced by more than 10%.