Mitsubishi to Introduce Lancer Tier 2 Bin 5 Turbo-Diesel in 2010
08 January 2007
At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) confirmed plans to develop a next-generation common rail turbo-diesel engine to be applied in a new Lancer in 2010. Mitsubishi’s primary introduction at NAIAS was an all-new, 2008 Lancer compact sedan and Prototype X, a concept vision of the next-generation Lancer Evolution.
The Mitsubishi turbo-diesel announced at the NAIAS for the US will be based on the 2.0-liter, Euro-5 compliant engine that MMC is developing together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the European market. (Earlier post.) The new engine will incorporate a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and NOx trap catalyst system and will meet Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions requirements, according to Mitsubishi.
The new Mitsubishi diesel will use a lightweight aluminum block and a common-rail fuel injection system, with piezo injectors for optimal responsiveness. A new variable-geometry / variable diffuser turbocharger will provide a wide range of boost control.
Similar to other advanced turbochargers, the Mitsubishi variable-geometry turbo design enables exhaust turbine flow to be varied, which helps to sharpen response by minimizing turbo lag. The Mitsubishi turbo goes a step farther, with a variable diffuser that can vary flow from the compressor to the intake. The combination of these technologies will yield an outstanding combination of power and fuel efficiency, according to the company.
Mitsubishi last sold a diesel—a pickup truck—in the US market in 1985. Mitsubishi Motors currently uses proprietary diesel engines in its European market Pajero SUV model as well as in the Triton pickup (L200) manufactured in Thailand. In its small and mid-sized cars, however, it uses diesel engines supplied by Volkswagen AG and DaimlerChrysler AG.
The new Lancer, Prototype X and the upcoming Lancer Evolution are all built on an all-new performance-engineered global platform that debuted with the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV.
The new-generation 2008 Lancer announced at the show is powered by a new 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC 4-cylinder engine, with 152 hp (113 kW) of power and 146 lb-ft (198 Nm) of peak torque. The car is the first Mitsubishi in North America to offer an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) in place of a conventional automatic transmission.
The engine powering Prototype X is a turbocharged version of the new aluminum 4B11 2.0-liter DOHC MIVEC engine used in the 2008 Lancer. It will yield the highest power rating yet in an Evolution model, according to the company.
Wow...it took 15 years for them to finally update from the 4G63T for the Evo.
The rumors flying around for 3 or 4 years was that they were going to use a turbo GDI version of the 4G63T based on technology built from the 4G94T-GDI. I think it was only a year or two ago when they revealed they would be using a MIVEC head for the EVO.
Posted by: Patrick | 08 January 2007 at 02:54 PM
Sounds like it's going to be a winner!
Posted by: DS | 08 January 2007 at 03:05 PM