Method and apparatus for delivering multiple fuel injections to the cylinder of an engine wherein the pilot fuel injection occurs during the intake stroke

System and method for delivering multiple fuel injections to a cylinder of an engine based upon engine operating conditions, the control system including an electronic controller coupled to an electronically controlled fuel injector and a plurality of sensors for inputting certain signals representative of certain engine operating conditions, the controller being operable to output a fuel injection signal to the fuel injector to deliver a first fuel shot during the intake stroke and, in one embodiment, when the cylinder piston is positioned near top dead center during the intake stroke, a second fuel shot when the cylinder piston is positioned near top dead center during the compression stroke, and a third fuel shot when the cylinder piston is positioned near top dead center during the compression stroke. The first shot fuel quantity is preferably greater than the second shot fuel quantity but preferably less than the third shot fuel quantity.