New Mitsubishi Engines Deliver More Power and Reduced Fuel Consumption

10 August 2005

The new 3-cylinder, 660-cc MIVEC engine.

Mitsubishi Motors has developed two new MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) aluminum cylinder block engines—including a 660cc 3-cylinder model—with increased power and decreased fuel consumption than their predecessors.

Mitsubishi will use the new engines in two new vehicles slated for introduction in the domestic Japanese market later this fiscal year.

The new concept minicar i, scheduled to join the Mitsubishi lineup in January next year, will use the new 3-cylinder 660cc MIVEC engine. The new Outlander SUV, due to debut in showrooms this October, is to be powered by a new 4-cylinder 2.4-liter MIVEC engine.

Mitsubishi i minicar

In addition to the valve timing control and the aluminum block (which delivers a 10% weight reduction), the new engines also use the following to reduce weight, size and cost, and to deliver more power and better fuel economy:

• 4-valve direct-drive valvetrain

• Timing chain

• Resin components (incl. intake manifold, head cover)

• Rear exhaust engine mounting layout

The new 3-cylinder, 660cc turbocharged engine delivers 47kW (63 hp) of power. With variable valve timing, it is expected to improve fuel eceonomy by 15% over the current mini-car units, and to earn a 3-star LEV rating for emission levels that are 50% cleaner than Japanese 2005 Low-Emission Vehicle requirements.

With a midship location and 45-degree rearward tilt, the new engine allows greater flexibility in developing the front end and also a longer wheelbase.

New 2.4-liter MIVEC.

The new 4-cylinder 2.4-liter MIVEC engine—which will become Mitsubishi’s primary powerplant—uses Mitsubishi’s intake and exhaust cylinder head port design and intake/exhaust systems along with a double-wall stainless exhaust manifold and a high-performance catalytic converter.

The new 2.4-liter engine delivers a 5% increase in power over the current 2.4-liter MIVEC engine along with fuel economy that is 5% better than the Japanese 2010 fuel economy standards.

The basic design of the new 2.4-liter MIVEC engine was developed through the World Engine project—the alliance among Mitsubishi, the Chrysler Group and Hyundai Motors. (Earlier post.)