Mitsubishi 2008 Annual Report Download - page 7

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05
annual report 2008 mitsubishi motors corporation
Nations around the world are enforcing stricter regulations on fuel economy
and CO2 emissions, and a growing number of countries are moving to levy
taxes on CO2 emissions. For these and other reasons, environmental performance
has become an urgent issue for automakers. MMC is working hard to help reduce
environmental impact by equipping future vehicles with next-generation core
technologies that are currently under development, such as clean diesel engines
and automated manual transmissions, while striving to enhance base technolo-
gies in order to improve fuel economy and reduce vehicle weight.
Next-Generation Core Technologies
Launch of clean diesel engines
MMC is developing clean diesel engines for their better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions compared to
gasoline engines. Jointly developed in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., 2.0-liter class models
are set to launch in Europe in 2009. By utilizing the MIVEC*1 system, which allows the variable timing of air
intake valves and the stoppage of single valves for the first time in a volume production diesel engine, MMC
has achieved top-tier output for this engine class while clearing Euro 5 standards. Development of these
engines is also targeted at meeting Tier II Bin 5 requirements in the U.S. and the Post New Long-term
Emission Regulations in Japan.
Roll-out of automated manual transmissions
The Twin Clutch SST is a manual transmission capable of executing smooth and fast automatic
gear shifts that has been fitted to the
Lancer Evolution X
, launched in 2007. The Twin Clutch
SST’s superior power transmission delivers vastly improved fuel economy over automatic trans-
missions. Because of its major contribution to reducing CO2 emissions, the Twin Clutch SST is
planned for adoption in a broad range of production models going forward.
Cutting-edge Base Technologies
Alternative fuel compatibility
Bioethanol fuels, which are produced from plant matter, are an alternative to limited fossil
fuels. Based on their carbon-neutral lifecycle,*2 bioethanol fuels release zero net CO2 emis-
sions into the atmosphere despite undergoing combustion. MMC launched the
Pajero TR4 Flex
(photo
on the left page), a flex fuel vehicle (FFV) that runs on ethanol, in Brazil in July 2007. The
Pajero TR4
Flex
is a true 4WD vehicle that can run on gasoline, ethanol or any combination of the two. Following
Brazil, MMC will roll out FFVs in various markets around the world.
Improved mileage in gasoline engines
MMC is expanding the use of CVTs (Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion), which improves both running smoothness and fuel economy, as
well as the proprietary high-performance MIVEC engine, which delivers
both high output and superior fuel efficiency. MMC is also launching
vehicles with an idling-stop system in Europe, where the application of
tougher emissions standards are under consideration.
Reduced weight
Reducing the weight of automobile frames greatly helps to improve fuel economy. With the help of
suppliers, MMC aims to reduce vehicle weight at least 10% compared to current models in all new
models to be launched from 2010.
*1MIVEC: Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control
*2Carbon neutral: Neutral (zero) total carbon release achieved by offsetting CO2 released into the atmosphere from burning fuel with
the amount of atmospheric CO2 absorbed by the plants grown to make the fuel.
MIVEC SYSTEM (diagram)
AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Twin Clutch SST