Mitsubishi Motors launches flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) in Brazil
- New Pajero TR4 Flex developed from Pajero TR4 -
PAJERO TR4 Flex
Tokyo, June 21, 2007 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and local production and sales company MMC Automotores do Brasil Ltda (MMCB) today announced the development of the first full-feature four-wheel drive flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) to be released in the Brazilian market. The vehicle, called the Pajero TR4 Flex, will be launched in July of this year.
Derived from the Pajero TR4 currently assembled and sold by MMCB, the Pajero TR4 Flex features several modifications. These include the use of different materials, modifications to the engine, and changes to the fuel system that allow the vehicle to run on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. Modifications to the engine control unit allow for optimum combustion with any fuel mixture, and the redesigned parts of the fuel delivery system add toughness and dependability.
The 2.0-liter 16-valve engine that powers the Pajero TR4 Flex delivers similar levels of performance on ethanol-heavy or gasoline-heavy fuel mixes. Running on 100% gasoline it develops 98kW (133ps) and 177N･m (18 kg･m) of torque; on 100% ethanol it develops 99kW (133 ps) and 186N･m (19 kg･m) of torque.
MMC is currently pushing forward development of FFV as part of its response to the global trend towards alternative fuel sources. The company is also currently working on a flex-fuel model it plans to bring into commercial production for the U.S. market in fiscal 2009.
-MMC
June 20th 2007
Mitsubishi Motors Europe @ 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show
Outlander 2.2 Di-D and 2.4 MiVEC
- High Power -
Half way through its first year in the market, Outlander has fulfilled its target with over 13,000 units sold across Europe.
Bringing 80% of conquest customers to the Brand across Europe, it provides them with Mitsubishi Motors’ acknowledged expertise in 4-wheel drive technology dressed in a sharp envelope fit for 5+2 passengers (or 2 occupants and up to 1,691 l of cargo) all within a smaller footprint than comparable D-segment wagons.
At the occasion of the 62nd Frankfurt Motor Show, Outlander will widen its appeal to European customers with the introduction of two additional engines:
* 2.2 Di-D, Diesel common rail (1)*:
o 156 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 380 Nm @ 2,000 rpm,
o All Wheel Control,
o 6-speed manual gearbox,
o Launch: fourth quarter of 2007.
* 2.4 l MIVEC, Petrol (2)* :
o 170 PS @ 6,000 rpm and 232 Nm @ 4,100 rpm,
o 2-wheel drive or All Wheel Control (according to markets),
o 5-speed manual gearbox or stepped Sport Mode 6-speed CVT with optional paddle shift controls,
o Launch: fourth quarter of 2007.
These two new “high power” engines will then complement the current 2.0 Di-D Diesel pump-jet (140 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 310 Nm @ 1,750 rpm) “mid power” power plant (3).
Further improvements for 2008 include (spec. according to markets):
* New milled finish 18” alloy wheels (standard on Instyle)
* Rain sensor and rear parking sensors (standard on Intense+ and Instyle)
* Soft touch paint finish on dashboard
* Rear view camera now available in combination with Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (Full-map touch screen Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Navigation with music server)
Leaving the role of authentic off-roader to the next generation Pajero, Outlander is a no-compromise solution for a different type of recreational vehicle.
Using the in-built adaptability of MMC’s all-new “Project Global” flexible platform it brings passenger car-like levels of active safety and driving pleasure, thanks to its All Wheel Control drive-train, 4-wheel independent suspension, high performance brakes and low centre of gravity. The latter is helped by an aluminium roof panel, using a technology tested with the Lancer Evolution IX.
Footnote:
*(1) Peugeot Citroen sourced
*(2) Mitsubishi's own engine
*(3) Volkswagen AG sourced
This is the new Mitsubishi Outlander TV commercial featuring what seems to be an 08 version of the Outlander. Pay close attention to the wheels, they are different from the current 07 offerings.
If you're interested in the Mitsubishi Outlander, please browse through the archive located here: PAXTech Mitsubishi Outlander Blog
You may also join other members of the growing Mitsubishi Outlander Community here: http://outlander.freeforums.org
video: MMNA
Mitsubishi Motors Spotlights New Environmentally Friendly 2008 Lancer and 2007 Outlander in KABC's Third Annual Clean Air ShowcaseRally-inspired Vehicles Prove Power and Clean Air Technology Can Live in Harmony
Cypress, Calif. 06/07/2007 -- Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) announced today that it will participate in TalkRadio 790 KABC's Third Annual Clean Air Showcase on Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
MMNA will display its new fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly 2008 Lancer compact sedan and 2007 Outlander compact SUV in the free-of-charge event. Sales of both new-model vehicles have been strong, and automotive enthusiasts are quickly discovering the value the rally-inspired vehicles deliver through their unique combination of fuel-efficiency, safety, performance and styling.
"The new Lancer and Outlander are earth-friendly vehicles that prove environmentally conscious consumers don't have to sacrifice performance and style to benefit the planet," said David Patterson, senior manager of regulatory affairs and certification, Mitsubishi Research and Design America. "Both vehicles deliver driven-to-thrill dynamics, class-up value, advanced safety and cutting-edge user technology in an aggressively styled package. Conservation efforts are important to Mitsubishi and the fact that these vehicles are also environmentally friendly completes the package and makes them one of the most attractive choices in their respective segments."
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer [US]. [GTS shown]
The 2008 Lancer's new all-aluminum MIVEC 4-cylinder engine has been designed to deliver a unique blend of performance and efficiency. With an overall weight savings of 60 pounds relative to the previous Lancer engine, the new version meets the tough PZEV (partial-zero emissions vehicle) emissions rating, helping preserve the environment and ozone layer, while still achieving a segment-best 152-hp and 146 lb-ft of torque among vehicles powered by 2.0-liter engines. A PZEV-rated Lancer engine as equipped with a complex catalyst system produces 143-hp* in comparison proving that power and environmentalism can live in harmony. The new Lancer achieves an impressive 29** highway miles per gallon, while still offering a quick 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds***. Other vehicle emissions countermeasures, as required to meet the stringent PZEV regulations, include zero evaporative emissions system that addresses vapors from the fuel system, the battery, and fumes from plastics.
2007 Mitsubishi Outlander [US]. [XLS 4WD shown]
The new 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander models are powered exclusively by an all-new 3.0-liter MIVEC-equipped V-6 engine. The Outlander is the first PZEV-certified V-6 SUV offered in the U.S. achieving an impressive 213-hp (220-hp for Federal version) while producing significantly less ozone-damaging emissions and offering improved fuel consumption compared to competitive vehicles in its class.
In addition to the Lancer and Outlander, the Showcase will feature the latest clean air vehicles from a variety of leading automotive manufacturers, providing attendees with an opportunity to sit in and even drive some of the most Earth-friendly cars available today. All attendees over the age of 18 with a valid and current Drivers License will have the opportunity to test drive the vehicle(s) of their choice.
KABC's Motorman, Leon Kaplan, will broadcast live on the 3rd Street Promenade between Arizona and Wilshire in front of Restoration Hardware from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and will act as the event's emcee, interviewing Mitsubishi's Patterson and other experts in the fields of clean air technology and alternative fuel sources. Patterson will discuss Mitsubishi's showcase vehicles and the design techniques employed in creating the automobiles.
*Comparison based on a review of base model 2007 and 2008 compact sedan horsepower figures
**Calculated utilizing 2008 EPA test procedures, 2007 procedures yield 31mpg
***Motor Trend, March 2007
News: MMNA
Photos: rcpax for Outlander, MMNA for Lancer
Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Joan ’Nani’ Roma/Lucas Cruz (Spain), and Luc Alphand/Gilles Picard (France), today secured good result for the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution on Portugal’s Rally Transiberico.
The menu of the 2007 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup’s opening round featured seven twisty, narrow stages that were far more akin to WRC competition than the sort of baja or desert terrain more readily associated with the world of cross-country rallying. Yet although the event was ultimately won by ex-WRC champ Carlos Sainz, Roma pushed hard from the outset to keep his fellow Spaniard under pressure. However, when the former biker had to stop and change a puncture just 7km into Saturday morning’s 220km test, it handed his rival a chance to pull out a sufficiently comfortable cushion at the top to then be able to control from in front for the remainder of the weekend. Then, on the final day.
Roma/Cruz
As in 2006, Roma was joined on the podium by his Mitsubishi team-mate Luc Alphand at the end of the 2,220.98km event which featured 1,131.59km of against-the-clock action en route from the rally’s base in Estoril, west of Lisbon, to overnight halts in Badajoz, Spain, and Evora, Portugal, before returning to the Atlantic casino resort of Estoril for the finish ceremony.
Alphand/Picard
Alphand’s run suffered an initial setback on Day 2 when he damaged his steering after clipping a rock. He then lost a further ten or so minutes on Saturday morning when the organisers had trouble pulling him clear of a muddy water-splash, an incident that essentially prevented the French crew from finishing the penultimate leg any higher than fourth overall behind Sainz, Roma and Carlos Sousa. The final day saw the Frenchman make a thrilling bid to clinch a top-three finish on the final day but fell short by a margin of less than two minutes after pulling back nearly six minutes of his deficit compared with Sousa on Saturday morning.
"It’s been a good rally, but we picked up three punctures in all over the weekend and we really needed a totally trouble-free run if we were to stand any chance of winning," observed Roma. "For the second year running, I will have to settle for 2nd place on the Transiberico, although there is no shame in finishing runner-up to someone of Carlos Sainz’s experience and calibre, especially on stages like this. Lucas and I gave it our very best shot, but in the end there was little we could do to put any significant pressure on the leader after the time we dropped early on."
Meanwhile, still buzzing from his late challenge to pass Sousa which saw him post the fastest time in the final stage of the weekend, Luc looked back at the way his weekend unfolded with mixed feelings. "It’s been great fighting at this level of competition and I’m delighted to have set at least one fastest time," he enthused. "We finished less than two minutes off the podium despite the time we lost on Saturday morning waiting for the organisers to pull us out of a water-crossing. That was so frustrating. Then, on the morning of the final day, we were asked to tuck in behind Roma on the stage after he suffered two punctures. He didn’t have any spares left and so it was only logical for me to stay with him to protect his second place rather than risk throwing everything away by trying to pass Sousa. I think we’ve all learnt a great deal this weekend and I can’t wait to put those lessons to good effect when my programme resumes in Argentina at the end of the summer."
"On this sort of terrain, which resembled a round of the WRC more than typical cross-country rally terrain, I have to say how pleased I am with the runs of both Nani and Luc who succeeded in taking the fight to someone with as much experience of this sort of terrain as Carlos Sainz," recognised team director Dominique Serieys. "Before losing ground following his puncture on Saturday morning, Nani was snapping at his compatriot’s heels and was only beaten on the first five stages by two former World Rally Champions as Sainz and McRae; not bad for someone who only recently switched from two to four wheels! We have to be lucid however. Both our cars ran extremely reliably, but beating Sainz on stages like this was never going to be easy. It’s now up to us to keep working to try and turn the tables on our rivals the next time we meet..."
The next outing for the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team is Spain’s Baja Espana (July 20-22), the second round of the FIA international Cup for Cross-Country Bajas for which the 2007 Dakar winner Stephane Peterhansel (France) will join forces with Nani Roma.
The team’s FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup programme then resumes with the Por las Pampas Rally in Argentina (Round 3, August 27-September 5) and the series’ final fixture, the UAE Desert Challenge (Round 4, October 27-November 2). Alphand will be partnered by Japan’s Hiroshi Masuoka in South America and then by Nani Roma and Stephane Peterhansel in the United Arab Emirates.
-Mitsubishi Motors Motorsports
