Abstract: An engine control system for a direct injection-spark ignition type of engine which is equipped with a fuel injector for spraying fuel directly into a combustion chamber and an exhaust system having a lean NOx conversion catalyst for lowering an emission level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas at an air-fuel ratio of .lambda.>1 controls divides a given amount of fuel into two parts which are intermittently delivered through early and late split injection respectively in a intake stroke and controls a fuel injector such that a midpoint between points at which the early and late split injection are timed respectively to start is before a midpoint of a intake stroke while the engine is in a cold condition in an enriched fuel charge zone.

Abstract: A controlled energy ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil coupled to first and second electrodes of an ignition plug defining a spark gap therebetween, wherein the primary coil is responsive to activation of a control signal to produce a spark voltage across the secondary coil and across the spark gap. The secondary coil is responsive to the spark voltage to produce a discharge current across the spark gap of the ignition plug. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, means are provided to draw discharge current away from the ignition plug to thereby limit the discharge current to below a threshold current value within some predefined time period after activation of the control signal.