Mitsubishi Motors develops next-Generation MIVEC engine
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced the development of two new fuel-saving technologies: the “4J10” lightweight and compact 1.8-liter gasoline engine incorporating a new version of the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system and the latest version of the company’s Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) idle-stop technology. The development of these latest technologies is expected to play a big part in achieving MMC’s own upcoming fuel and environmental efficiency targets. The new 4J10 engine/AS&G combination will power the RVR (ASX or Outlander Sport in some markets) compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Galant Fortis sports sedan (Lancer or Lancer EX in some markets), and Galant Fortis Sportback (Lancer Sportback in some markets) 5-door sports hatchback. With this engine, the three models show an improvement of 12% in fuel efficiency as measured by the Japanese 10-15 mode. The RVR was launched in Japan on October 20 and the Galant Fortis models will be launched on October 27. The development of these technologies stems from the Mitsubishi Motors Environment Initiative Program 2015 that forms a key part of the company’s Jump 2013 mid-term business plan. Targets for achievement by 2015 set forth in the program include a 25% reduction in on-road CO2 emission of new vehicles compared to the global weighted average for the 2005 fiscal year. The program is the mid-term benchmark for the Mitsubishi Motors Group Environmental Vision 2020, which aims for a 50% reduction in CO2 emission against the global weighted average for the 2005 fiscal year. Given these targets, MMC is aggressively moving forward with development of technologies like the new MIVEC and new AS&G systems to improve fuel economy in internal combustion engines, increasing the number of models powered by “clean diesel” engines that meet the latest emissions regulations in Japan and Europe, and further advancing its gasoline engine technology. At the same time, MMC is pushing ahead with the development and roll-out of electric vehicles, led by the global roll-out of the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle (EV), the introduction of the MINICAB-MiEV light commercial EV and plug-in hybrids. (October 21, 2011)
