Environment
Technology to prevent Global Warming
At Mitsubishi Motors, we understand the movement to break away from fossil fuels. That’s why we’re developing a range of innovative systems designed to ensure our vehicles run better and cleaner.
Next-generation Clean Diesel Engines:
The excellent fuel efficiency of diesel engines means they improve fuel consumption by 20-30% compared to petrol engines.
Exhaust gasses can be a problem for diesel engines, which is why MMC is promoting the development of new, clean, diesel engine technology. These engines will aim to produce the same level of emissions generated by petrol engines while using less fuel.
The new clean diesel engine already meets the standards imposed by EURO5, Europe’s next-generation emissions regulations, and the next step is to market the engine in North America and Japan. MMC will continue to aim for top output and fuel efficiency in diesel engines.
Development of Bio-ethanol Fuel-compatible Vehicles:
Bio-ethanol fuel, which is produced from plants that absorb CO2 in the atmosphere as they grow, has been designated as a zero-emission or ‘carbon-neutral’ fuel by the Kyoto Protocol-based method of calculating carbon dioxide emissions.
Mitsubishi Motors is developing flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can run on petrol, bio-ethanol, and fuels that combine the two. In 2007, we launched our first FFVs into the Brazilian market.
The FFV system achieves optimal fuel combustion by estimating the ratio of bio-ethanol in the fuel based on the output of an exhaust gas density sensor fitted in the exhaust system. As a result, the engine can handle petrol-ethanol mixes with proportions of ethanol from 0% to 100% while achieving performance and exhaust emissions on par with petrol vehicles.
Development of the Twin Clutch SST - A Next-generation High-efficiency Transmission
The Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission is a high-efficiency transmission developed by MMC. It combines the sportiness and fuel efficiency of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic. Mitsubishi plans to fit the Twin Clutch SST to new high-performance sports sedans.
Improving Petrol Engine Efficiency
MMC has promoted innovations in our passenger car petrol engine line-up since 2004. We aim to pair our common design concepts with features such as high performance, low fuel consumption, lower exhaust emissions, and lighter, more compact engines. In 2006, we launched the 3.0L MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) engine in the new Outlander.
This new engine series delivers a high level of performance, including top-class maximum power output and maximum torque, through the MIVEC system. It is also paired with an aluminium cylinder block to make it lighter and more fuel-efficient than conventional engines.
Reduction in Power Consumption of Automotive Air Conditioning
MMC understands that reducing the power consumed by automotive air conditioning helps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. The new Power-saving Automotive Air Conditioning Unit that we have developed in conjunction with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries won the US Environmental Protection Agency Climate Protection Award in 2007 for achieving a reduction in power usage.
Green Plastic
MMC is in the process of developing a plant-based resin with broad practical applications. As it is a carbon-neutral material, it not only preserves petroleum resources, but also reduced CO2 emissions. We are currently exploring its uses in producing car interior components.