Mitsubishi 2001 Annual Report Download - page 26

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 26 of the 2001 Mitsubishi annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 72

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65
  • 66
  • 67
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72

[24] MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORPORATION Annual Report 2001
As an automobile manufacturer, MMC’s corporate activities
are closely linked to environmental issues. MMC is stead-
fast in its commitment to adhering to best environmental
practices and is constantly looking for ways to reduce the
environmental impact of its activities and products.
ENVIRONMENT
MMC is steadily improving the fuel con-
sumption efficiency of its passenger cars.
MEASURES TO PREVENT GLOBAL
WARMING
Continuous improvements in fuel
economy
With successive new model introduc-
tions, MMC is steadily improving the
fuel consumption efficiency of its pas-
senger cars ahead of the adoption of
new standards (applicable to gasoline-
powered vehicles from 2010 and diesel-
powered vehicles from 2005) set down
in legislation passed in Japan to pro-
mote energy saving. The new LANCER
CEDIA sedan and station wagon mod-
els launched during fiscal 2000 fea-
tured substantially improved fuel
consumption efficiency, despite the
vehicles themselves being larger than
previous models.
GDI + Turbo engine
In July 2000, MMC launched the PAJERO
io 5-door Turbo model. This car is pow-
ered by a turbocharged version of the
GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine,
which generates a high response with
superior fuel economy. By injecting
gasoline directly into the cylinder, GDI
engines achieve smooth, ultra-lean
combustion. This results not only in
lower fuel consumption, but also in a
range of other benefits such as superior
starting and torque characteristics,
better engine response, and anti-
knocking effects. The GDI Turbo engine
takes advantage of anti-knocking to
produce higher low-end torque without
any deterioration in fuel economy.
CVT (continuously variable
transmission)
MMC has developed a small, light-
weight transmission that can continu-
ously match gear ratio to engine torque.
This CVT was introduced in the
LANCER CEDIA sedan model in May
2000 and the LANCER CEDIA station
wagon in November 2000. The DINGO
model launched in February 2001 also
featured CVT. Combined with the GDI
engine, the system provides integrated
powertrain management, resulting in
ultra-smooth shifting together with low
fuel consumption.
Direct-injection diesel engines
As a result of their superior fuel con-
sumption and high durability, MMC
has been putting direct-injection diesel
engines in trucks and buses for some
time. In passenger cars, MMC has devel-
oped this technology by switching from
indirect injection to direct injection.
This promises to improve fuel consump-
tion and reduce exhaust emissions.