Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Skoda plans to cut 2% of admin jobs
      Porsche considering entry to more sustainable F1 racing, report says
      UK sales plunge 36% in worst February since 1959
      Hyundai profit hit after Kona EV recall, but LG Chem seen bearing bulk of costs
    • Skoda plans to cut 2% of admin jobs
      Toyota will stay in Europe's minicar segment while others electrify or leave
      Honda to sell limited batch of Level 3 self-driving cars
      Stellantis waiting for UK support on Vauxhall plant
    • Opel Mokka 2020
      Stellantis battery JV seeks contracts with other automakers
      Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      3BIDEN-MAIN_i.jpg
      Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip output amid shortage
      Continental grille web.jpg
      Continental invests in object recognition startup
    • Toyota will stay in Europe's minicar segment while others electrify or leave
      Mercedes preps debut of EQE EV, a Tesla Model S rival
      Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
    • Valeo joins Bosch, GM, others in pledge for carbon neutrality
      GMEVBarra-MAIN_i.jpg
      GM aims to stop selling gasoline vehicles by 2035 in carbon neutrality pledge
      VW will appeal $20M Spanish diesel compensation ruling
      Death of diesel looms as automakers accelerate to electric future
    • UK sales plunge 36% in worst February since 1959
      Spain's February sales fell 38% in 'perfect storm'
      German sales plunge 19% in worst February since 2007
      Italy sales dropped 12% in February but incentives boosted demand from private buyers
    • Toyota names new CEO for Europe
      Audi appoints former Porsche exec as finance chief
      Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      Audi's new chief engineer will accelerate EV push
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Mobility
    • Segment Analysis
    • Latest Launches
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • Apple, Nio, other auto newcomers get creative to avoid Tesla's 'production hell'
      How Amazon, Google are transforming the auto industry
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
    • Renault CEO bets on 'winning horses' for turnaround
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
    • Opel Mokka 2020
      Stellantis battery JV seeks contracts with other automakers
      VW EVs.jpg
      VW's ID3 electric car stacks up well against Tesla in UBS teardown
      Mercedes preps debut of EQE EV, a Tesla Model S rival
      JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
    • Honda to sell limited batch of Level 3 self-driving cars
      VW tests self-driving taxis in Germany ahead of 2025 launch
      1OUSTER-MAIN_i.jpg
      Why lidar suppliers may run into obstacles
      Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
    • EVs make huge gains helped by incentives, tougher CO2 rules
      EVs, surging SUVs to hit Europe's biggest segment
      Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
    • Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      Mercedes positions C-Class as sportier S-Class
      Nissan Qashqai gets better handling thanks to new platform
      ARTURA-MAIN_i.jpg
      McLaren embarks on deeper electrified future with Artura
    • How GKN is transforming to gain from e-powertrain shift
      Marelli CEO expects e-powertrains to provide long-term boost
      Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
    • Europe sales by model, January: Porsche, Lamborghini, Volvo defy down market; Toyota Yaris No. 1-seller for the month, VW Golf finishes 4th
      Top 10 sellers by market, January: Skoda Octavia finishes No. 1 or No. 2 in eight markets
      Russia sales fall 4% in January as rebound stalls
      CORRECTED: Turkey sales, January: Ford, Kia, Opel, BMW rise
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Jaguar Land Rover Gerry McGovern
      Gerry McGovern is right man to steer Jaguar reinvention
      Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      A 'genius idea' gets a second chance in Renault's mobility strategy
      Will an all-electric Jaguar be sold off?
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Hyundai Bayon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Honda HR-V Hybrid
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2021)
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Sponsored
Sponsored Content Provided By UFI Filters
This content was created by and paid for by an advertiser. The Crain's editorial department was not involved in the creation of this content.
November 20, 2020 12:20 PM

UFI MULTITUBE: The engine air that boosts the performance of the Maserati MC20

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Muhammad Ali once said that, “it isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.” When it comes to engine air filtration, this oft-repeated piece of wisdom is especially relevant, because even a particle as small as a grain of sand can wreak havoc on an engine’s internal parts, guaranteeing expensive repair costs. 

    Indeed, the introduction of small particles into the engine’s vital parts can have long-term cumulative or even immediate destructive consequences. Preventing this from occurring by performing the role of the gatekeeper, is the air filter – the true unsung hero of a vehicle’s engine.

    The evolution of the engine air filter

    As the engine’s first line of defence, the air filter plays a key role in the combustion process, providing the engine with clean air by shutting out harmful debris such as dirt and dust, and in turn, increasing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions and ultimately prolonging the engine’s life. 

    Although the first engines were built without air filters, they were introduced soon after, and have been a necessary feature ever since. From the water and oil ‘bath’ type filters of the early days, to the more modern varieties made from materials such as paper, foam, cotton and stainless-steel mesh, the engine air filter has seen many changes and iterations over the years. 

    Now, the next generation of engine air filter, called UFI MULTITUBE, is taking engine air filtration to a whole new level. Created by UFI Filters, this cutting-edge filter was most recently included as original equipment (OE) in the Maserati MC20, the most anticipated supercar of 2020. 

    With improved flexibility, better fluid dynamics, lower weight, reduced emissions, filtering efficiency of over 99.5%, a reduction in pressure drop as a result of the use of hydrophobic filter media and an astonishing increase in horsepower of up to 4%, the versatile MULTITUBE brings unprecedented benefits to all vehicle types. 

    A dedication to innovation

    Founded in 1971 in Italy, UFI Filters has long been at the forefront of innovation, as demonstrated by its 1972 launch of the first ever panel filter element, which featured a seamless polyurethane seal instead of the conventional rubber one. 

    Having grown steadily over the intervening years to become a global leader in filtration and thermal management, UFI Filters’ innovative OE strength and 237 patents have resulted in its filters being utilised in six of the seven top selling cars on the market.

    From Ferrari in Formula 1 all the way to outer space on the European ExoMars spacecraft, the company is trusted the world over to manufacture filters that can withstand the most extreme of conditions. This trust has been gained due to a commitment to innovation, which sees UFI Filters reinvest 5% of its revenue in R&D. The culmination of this has been the creation of MULTITUBE, an engine air filter unlike any other in terms of design and performance. 

    The horsepower booster

    Unveiled at Automechanika 2018 where it was nominated in the ‘Parts and Components’ category of the prestigious Automechanika Innovation Award, UFI MULTITUBE’s many distinctive features include its modularity and geometric flexibility. Unlike conventional panels, the structure of MULTITUBE allows the tube-shaped individual filters that comprise it to be placed in different geometries with varying diameters, shapes and lengths. External tube diameters are very small, meaning it is possible to position MULTITUBE in different external diameters, that vary in a range between 45 and 68 mm. This gives it a modularity, that together with its ad hoc design, means it can be adapted to suit the specific needs of each individual vehicle manufacturer.

    With vehicles such as hybrid cars becoming increasingly complex, vehicle space is at a premium for manufacturers. UFI MULTITUBE, however, is significantly smaller than standard filters, taking up to 50% less room. Tubular in structure, the air filter is contained in a cartridge that is also considerably lighter. The tubes that comprise MULTITUBE are placed within an airbox designed and manufactured by UFI Filters, which is made of polyamide, a light deformation resistant material, contributing to lower fuel consumption and less CO2 emissions.

    With up to 4% more horsepower, this compact engine air filter is especially beneficial for drivers with a need for speed. This increase is a result of its improved fluid dynamics which guarantee a linear air flow and minimise pressure and energy loss, as well as the hydrophobic filter media, which does not need any additional water separation barrier. 

    UFI MULTITUBE, additionally, provides a filtering performance of over 99.5%. Designed according to the concept of deep filtration, air flow in the filter is able to travel from the outside to the inside via a structure featuring one or more pipes. Consisting of a rigid, non-woven filter media made of synthetic hydrophobic fibres, MULTITUBE’s extremely innovative water-resistant material is structured with a specific diameter and distributed porosity gradient.

    This guarantees maximum performance throughout the product’s entire lifecycle, which is in stark contrast to conventional panel filters that provide neither the same high level of filtering performance nor longevity, as they deform over time due to humidity absorption. 
    Furthermore, due to its unique development processes and through particular production methods, which are adapted to MULTITUBE’s specific requirements, UFI’s filter media is extremely difficult to replicate; therefore, safeguarding it from counterfeiting.

    Unsurpassed resistance to fire

    On top of MULTITUBE’s many aforementioned benefits, the revolutionary engine air filtration system also guarantees vastly improved resistance to fire. Having undergone the DIN53438 testing – the ISO standard test – which determines the combustibility of commercial materials, MULTITUBE received an F1 classification, the highest classification possible.

    The performance of UFI MULTITUBE, moreover, is considerably higher than that of other engine air filters that have also received an F1 classification. During testing, for example, MULTITUBE did not hole when exposed to a naked flame, which contrasted to other F1 classified filters, that holed completely after coming into contact with fire.

    Flame exposure to MULTITUBE, on the other hand, resulted in damage to the filter that was only half the size of what is actually permitted during DIN53438 testing. What’s more, the innovative filter even managed to maintain some filtering performance when exposed to fire, highlighting the product’s capacity to perform in even the most extreme of conditions and more importantly, its safety properties. 

    With its astonishing versatility and flexibility, the award-winning UFI MULTITUBE has, not only been chosen as OE on high-performing big cylinder sports cars such as the Porsche GT2RS, but also for popular A-segment cars such as the Hybrid Launch Edition of the Fiat 500. 

    In the new Maserati MC20, moreover, this ground-breaking technology is even fitted into a dual airbox which has been engineered by UFI Filters technicians, further boosting the 3.0 litre, 630 horsepower V6 engine. For a supercar such as this, which is designed to be as light as possible – the MC20 weighs less than 1,500kg – the choice of UFI MULTITUBE presented Maserati with a more than viable alternative that was up to 25% lighter than their initial target.

    The MC20 provides a perfect example of the revolutionary engine air filter’s modularity and geometric flexibility. Designed and developed by engineers from both UFI Filters and Maserati, the filter is located near the air inlet, in the wheel arch area, enabling both the design and performance of the car to be safeguarded. Through this particular positioning, the air intake and the filter box itself capture even more impurities and water droplets from the external environment. 

    UFI MULTITUBE also guarantees improved fluid dynamics in the air flow to the MC20’s engine. Because of the hydrophobic filter media, the supercar does not require any additional water separation systems to protect the engine. The car, therefore, benefits from a 50% reduction in pressure drops compared to other panel air filters, enabling the full power of the engine to be expressed.

    Giorgio Girondi, Chairman of UFI Filters Group, is very proud of his company´s innovative product. “Along with MULTITUBE’s stunning increase in horsepower of up to 4%, it also offers exceptional flexibility. Its many innovative features have already opened doors for its future inclusion in premium models by renowned German car manufacturers. In addition, further product developments are in the pipeline, such as for our state-of-the-art electric transmission oil coolers, which will feature in the electric version of the MC20, as well as in the new generation of electric models that will be launched by Maserati in 2021. This will further strengthen our involvement in the field of electric mobility.”

    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Mobility
      • Segment Analysis
      • Latest Launches
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us