A fuel injector is provided that creates variable spray characteristics to effectively reduce emissions, such as NOx emissions and particulate matter. The injector includes a nozzle valve element of the outwardly opening type including a fuel delivery passage and spray holes. The nozzle valve element is operable to move to a low lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to impinge on the injector body and to deflect toward the combustion chamber, and to move to a high lift position to cause fuel flowing from the spray holes to avoid impingement on injector body and flow in an obstructed manner directly into the combustion chamber. An annular chamber may be formed in the nozzle valve element adjacent the spray holes to receive fuel.