(as of 30 September 2023)
111-648: The Mitsubishi Lancer (A70) is the first generation version of Mitsubishi 's long-running Lancer nameplate. When introduced in 1973, it filled the gap between the Minica kei car and the considerably larger Galant . It was a replacement for the Colt 1200 , last sold in 1970. Although sedan production ended in 1979, vans continued on until 1985. This Lancer also formed the basis for the Lancer Celeste sports coupé of 1975 through to 1981. These Lancers were sold under
222-925: A 10% stake in the company, until disposing of the last of its remaining shares in March 2003. The 1985 Hyundai Excel was sold in the United States as the Mitsubishi Precis between 1987 and 1994, whereas several other Mitsubishi models were rebadged as Hyundai, namely the Mitsubishi Chariot (as the Hyundai Santamo ), the Mitsubishi Pajero (as the Hyundai Galloper ) or the Mitsubishi Delica (as
333-829: A 15% share in the new company. Thanks to this deal, Chrysler began selling the Galant in the United States as the Dodge Colt (which was the first rebadged Mitsubishi product sold by Chrysler), pushing MMC's annual production beyond 250,000 vehicles. In 1977, the Galant was sold as the Chrysler Sigma in Australia. By 1977, a network of "Colt"-branded distribution and sales dealerships had been established across Europe, as Mitsubishi sought to begin selling vehicles directly. Annual production had by now grown from 500,000 vehicles in 1973 to 965,000 in 1978, when Chrysler began selling
444-513: A Compression ratio of 9.9:1 and 1769cc QG18DE 9.5:1. In 1991, Mitsubishi developed and began producing the MVV (Mitsubishi Vertical Vortex) lean-burn system first used in Mitsubishi's 1.5 L 4G15 straight-4 single-overhead-cam 1,468-cc engine. The vertical vortex engine has an idle speed of 600 rpm and a compression ratio of 9.4:1 compared with respective figures of 700 rpm and 9.2:1 for
555-482: A Mitsubishi takeover, which proved effective. Although sales of SUVs and light trucks were booming in the U.S., Japan's car manufacturers dismissed the idea that such a trend could occur in their own country. Nakamura, however, increased the budget for SUV product development, and his gamble paid off; Mitsubishi's wide line of four-wheel drive vehicles, from the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini kei car to
666-547: A basic two-door EL and the four-door GL sedan which offered a higher level of equipment. Only one engine was offered, the 1,439 cc single cam, alloy-head four-cylinder engine rated at 92 hp (68.6 kW) at 6,300 rpm. This could be paired with either an all-synchromesh four-speed manual, or a three-speed automatic. European market Lancers received the 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6-litre Saturn 80 engines, with claimed output of 55 PS (40 kW), 68 PS (50 kW), and 82 PS (60 kW) DIN (GSR). The 1.6-litre engine
777-551: A going concern by International Motors (a firm previously known for launching Hyundai onto the UK market in 1981). Mitsubishi Motors plans to stop developing car platforms for the Japanese market and instead use vehicle bases made by ally Nissan Motor beginning around 2026. The Colt name appears frequently in Mitsubishi's history since its introduction as a rear-engined 600-cc sedan in the early 1960s. Today, it most commonly refers to
888-406: A greater concentration of fuel closer to the spark plug tip (richer), which is required for successful ignition and flame spread for complete combustion. The remainder of the cylinders' intake charge is progressively leaner with an overall average air:fuel ratio falling into the lean-burn category of up to 22:1. The older Honda engines that used lean-burn (not all did) accomplished this by having
999-799: A joint venture with Mitsubishi that started 1998. Models produced at the Tiruvallur , Tamil Nadu plant included the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (third generation) until 2016. Upon selling its Volvo Cars division to Ford in January 1999, Volvo Group purchased a 5% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in November of that same year, but sold its stake to shareholder DaimlerChrysler in March 2001. Mitsubishi has been allied with PSA Group since 1999, after they agreed to co-operate on
1110-425: A large amount of swirl in the combustion chamber. Injectors are mounted in the head, rather than conventionally in the intake manifold. Compression ratio 9.5:1. The 1998cc 3S-FSE engine is a direct injection petrol lean-burn engine. Compression ratio 10:1. Nissan QG engines are a lean-burn aluminum DOHC 4-valve design with variable valve timing and optional NEO Di direct injection . The 1497cc QG15DE has
1221-659: A member of the Renault–Nissan Alliance (the "Alliance"). Nissan has said that they plan to share some car platforms and jointly develop future vehicles with Mitsubishi Motors. Nissan's acquisition of the 34% controlling interest in Mitsubishi Motors was completed in October 2016, when Carlos Ghosn , the chairman of Nissan, Renault , and the Alliance, also became chairman of Mitsubishi Motors. Ghosn remained chairman of Mitsubishi until his dismissal following his arrest by
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#17327758998231332-542: A more powerful 1600 GSR model, successful in rallying. There were three body styles (four if the Celeste liftback/coupé is included), two- and four-door sedans and a rarely seen five-door station wagon introduced in September 1973. In October 1975 the smallest engine was replaced by another 1.2-litre four, the 80 hp 4G36 . In November, the entire engine lineup lost around eight–nine percent of its power, as
1443-468: A multitude of names in different markets. The Lancer A70 was launched in February 1973 in two- and four-door sedan form. It proved to be particularly successful in rallies, a claim Mitsubishi maintains to this day. The Lancer served to fill a gap in Mitsubishi's lineup in the small to lower-medium segment of the growing Japanese market. Twelve models were launched, ranging from a basic 1.2-litre sedan to
1554-566: A new five-speed manual transmission, and a belt driven SOHC version of the 4G32 engine called the G32B. During 1981, the Chrysler was rebranded Mitsubishi Lancer in the Australian market, lasting until August the same year. Some of the Australian cars featured had "arrow" decals on the hood and stripes on the flanks, depending on the body colour. These were less flamboyant than on those sold in
1665-454: A parallel fuel and intake system that fed a pre-chamber the "ideal" ratio for initial combustion. This burning mixture was then opened to the main chamber where a much larger and leaner mix then ignited to provide sufficient power. During the time this design was in production this system ( CVCC, Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion ) primarily allowed lower emissions without the need for a catalytic converter . These were carbureted engines and
1776-505: A result of the stricter emissions standards for 1976. Reflecting a popular appearance during the 1970s, the Lancer adopted " coke bottle styling " on the sedan and wagon for this entire generation. Originally, the Lancer received an OHV 1.2-litre Neptune 4G42 , an OHC 1.4-litre Saturn 4G33 or the larger 1.6-litre 4G32 . Power outputs were 70 PS (51 kW), 92 PS (68 kW), and 100 PS (74 kW) respectively for what
1887-553: A single air/fuel ratio, the lean oxygen sensor is more of a measurement device covering the air/fuel ratio range from about 15:1 to 26:1. To speed up the otherwise slow combustion of lean mixtures, the MVV engine uses two intake valves and one exhaust valve per cylinder. The separate specially shaped (twin intake port design) intake ports are the same size, but only one port receives fuel from an injector. This creates two vertical vortices of identical size, strength and rotational speed within
1998-641: A small stake. Mitsubishi's automotive origins date back to 1917, when the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., introduced the Mitsubishi Model A , Japan's first series-production automobile. An entirely hand-built seven-seater sedan based on the Fiat Tipo 3, it proved expensive compared to its American and European mass-produced rivals, and was discontinued in 1921 after only 22 had been built. In 1934, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding
2109-631: A solid flat black stripe with the words "Arrow Jet" stenciled out of the stripe on the doors so that the underlying body colour showed through. This colour combination of spit-fire orange and flat black seems to pay tribute to one of the design inspirations for the Plymouth Arrow, that being the Plymouth Barracuda. In 1971, the Barracuda was offered with a "billboard" decal option, which was a large, solid flat black decal that covered
2220-416: A spark control computer and various sensors and transducers . The computer adjusted spark timing based on manifold vacuum, engine speed, engine temperature, throttle position over time, and incoming air temperature. Engines equipped with ELB used fixed-timing distributors without the traditional vacuum and centrifugal timing advance mechanisms. The ELB computer also directly drove the ignition coil, eliminating
2331-488: A strong air–fuel swirl created in the combustion chamber, a new linear air–fuel sensor (LAF type O 2 sensor ) and a lean-burn NO x catalyst to further reduce the resulting NO x emissions that increase under "lean-burn" conditions and meet NO x emissions requirements. This stratified-charge approach to lean-burn combustion means that the air–fuel ratio is not equal throughout the cylinder. Instead, precise control over fuel injection and intake flow dynamics allows
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#17327758998232442-408: A three-speed automatic . A 1.6 L inline-four engine was standard with an optional 2.0 L I4. It was produced in various trim levels including the 160, GS and GT. The first year Arrow is easily identified from later years because its quarter-window louvers have two slats in the centre, which were changed to three on all later years. The 1976 Arrow also came with a single windshield-wiper fluid nozzle on
2553-490: A wholly owned subsidiary of MHI under the leadership of Tomio Kubo, a successful engineer from the aircraft division. The logo of three red diamonds, shared with over 40 other companies within the keiretsu , antedates Mitsubishi Motors itself by almost a century. It was chosen by Iwasaki Yatarō , the founder of Mitsubishi, as it was suggestive of the emblem of the Tosa clan who first employed him, and because his own family crest
2664-457: A ¥540-billion emergency rescue of Mitsubishi Motors in January 2005, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group . As part of the rescue, MHI acquired ¥50 billion of Mitsubishi Motors stock, increasing its ownership stake to 15% and making the automaker an affiliate again. The emergency rescue was carried out 4 years after a product recall scandal in Japan that
2775-444: Is 14.64:1. The excess of air in a lean-burn engine emits far less hydrocarbons. High air–fuel ratios can also be used to reduce losses caused by other engine power management systems such as throttling losses. A lean burn mode is a way to reduce throttling losses. An engine in a typical vehicle is sized for providing the power desired for acceleration, but must operate well below that point in normal steady-speed operation. Ordinarily,
2886-620: Is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo , Japan. In 2011, Mitsubishi Motors was the sixth-largest Japanese automaker and the 19th-largest worldwide by production. Since October 2016, Mitsubishi has been one-third (34%) owned by Nissan , and included in the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance . Besides being part of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, it
2997-467: Is also a part of Mitsubishi keiretsu , formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan. The company was originally formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation , which builds commercial-grade trucks, buses, and heavy construction equipment, was formerly a part of Mitsubishi Motors, but is now owned by German automotive corporation Daimler Truck , with Mitsubishi continuing to own
3108-445: Is better as higher compression ratios are achieved. Manufacturers of heavy-duty lean-burn gas engines include MTU , Cummins , Caterpillar , MWM , GE Jenbacher , MAN Diesel & Turbo , Wärtsilä , Mitsubishi Heavy Industries , Dresser-Rand Guascor , Waukesha Engine and Rolls-Royce Holdings . One of the newest lean-burn technologies available in automobiles currently in production uses very precise control of fuel injection,
3219-488: Is that a complex catalytic converter system is required to reduce NOx emissions. Lean-burn engines do not work well with modern 3-way catalytic converter —which require a pollutant balance at the exhaust port so they can carry out oxidation and reduction reactions—so most modern engines tend to cruise and coastdown at or near the stoichiometric point . From 1976 through 1989, Chrysler equipped many vehicles with their Electronic Lean-Burn (ELB) system, which consisted of
3330-503: The Colt and Galant rally cars in previous years, Mitsubishi decided to develop a Lancer model specifically to tackle the notorious Safari Rally . Run over 6,000 km of arduous terrain under searing equatorial temperatures, the race was regarded as the toughest in the world, and typically only one car in five which set off from the start would manage to reach the finish line in Nairobi . Mitsubishi sanctioned official factory teams for
3441-643: The Colt T120SS light truck between 1991 and 2019 based on the Suzuki Carry . Despite the same bodywork, the fascia is unique to Mitsubishi and it is manufactured in the local Mitsubishi plant. The engine used is either Mitsubishi's 1.3 L (1,343 cc) carbureted 4G17 or the bigger 1.5 L (1,468 cc) fuel-injected 4G15 . In 2005, the alliance continued by rebadging the Suzuki APV to Mitsubishi Maven . Few styling changes were applied, and
Mitsubishi Lancer (A70) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3552-673: The Delica Space Gear passenger van, rode the wave of SUV-buying in Japan in the early to mid-1990s, and Mitsubishi saw its overall domestic share rise to 11.6% in 1995. In 1991, Chrysler sold its equity stake in Diamond-Star Motors to its partner Mitsubishi Motors, and from then on the two companies continued to share components and manufacturing on a contractual basis only. Chrysler decreased its interest in Mitsubishi Motors to less than 3% in 1992, and announced its decision to divest itself of all its remaining shares on
3663-523: The Henry J , an inexpensive American sedan built by Kaiser Motors , in knockdown kit (CKD) form in 1951, and continued to bring them to Japan for the remainder of the car's three-year production run. The same year, Central Japan Heavy-Industries concluded a similar contract with Willys (now owned by Kaiser) for CKD-assembled Jeep CJ-3Bs . This deal proved more durable, with licensed Mitsubishi Jeeps in production until 1998, 30 years after Willys had replaced
3774-656: The Hyundai Porter ) and Mitsubishi Proudia (as the Hyundai Equus ). The South African Motor Corporation ( Samcor ) (previously also called Sigma Corporation and MMI) was a joint venture created in 1985, which produced Ford , Mazda , and Mitsubishi vehicles for the local South African market, with the Mitsubishi Delica being rebadged as the Ford Husky minibus and the Mitsubishi Canter as
3885-536: The Lancer , Grandis , and Outlander . From 2010, they were superseded with Mitsubishi's self-developed 4N1 diesel engines. As of 2006, Mitsubishi had four joint ventures with Chinese partners: In December 2010, Mitsubishi and Nissan agreed to form a joint venture (later named " NMKV Co., Ltd.") to develop kei cars for the Japanese market. In 2016, Nissan uncovered evidence that Mitsubishi's fuel-economy testing numbers were erroneous and had been erroneous since
3996-622: The Minica kei car and the Colt 1000, the first of its Colt line of family cars, in 1963. In 1964, Mitsubishi introduced its largest passenger sedan, the Mitsubishi Debonair as a luxury car primarily for the Japanese market, and was used by senior Mitsubishi executives as a company car. West Japan Heavy-Industries (now renamed Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Engineering) and East Japan Heavy-Industries (now Mitsubishi Nihon Heavy-Industries) had also expanded their automotive departments in
4107-801: The Proton Inspira (the Proton Waja replacement) was again based on the Mitsubishi Lancer platform and officially launched on 10 November 2010. Mitsubishi participated in a joint venture with rival carmaker Volvo and the Dutch government at the former DAF plant in Born in 1991. The operation, branded NedCar , began producing the first-generation Mitsubishi Carisma alongside the Volvo S40/V40 in 1996. The factory later produced
4218-661: The Safari Rally of Kenya . Thanks to repeated triumphs in what was the most gruelling rally in the world, it earned the nickname "King of Cars" in Africa. In rally spec, the GSR produced 126 kW (171 PS; 169 hp) at 7800 rpm and 162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 5500 rpm. Street versions originally developed 110 PS (81 kW), but this dropped to 100 PS (74 kW) when tighter emissions standards were introduced for 1976. After sporadic successes with
4329-563: The Silver Pigeon were also developed. However, the zaibatsu (Japan's family-controlled industrial conglomerates) were ordered to be dismantled by the Allied powers in 1950, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was split into three regional companies, each with an involvement in motor-vehicle development: West Japan Heavy-Industries, Central Japan Heavy-Industries, and East Japan Heavy-Industries. East Japan Heavy-Industries began importing
4440-780: The Wira and Perdana were based on the Lancer/Colt and Galant/Eterna, respectively, before the company finally produced entirely self-developed vehicles, the Waja in 2000, and the Proton Gen-2 in 2004. At its peak, the Proton controlled 75% of its domestic market, even after Mitsubishi ended their 22-year partnership in 2005, selling their 7.9% stake for RM 384 million to Khazanah Nasional Berhad . However, in October 2008, Proton renewed its technology-transfer agreements with MMC, and
4551-533: The '70s, winning five consecutive titles from 1972 to '76. Cowan and Joginder Singh also scored a 1–2 finish for the Lancer GSR at the 1977 Rallye Bandama Côte d'Ivoire . Even after production ended it remained a popular car with privateers into the 1980s. However, the decline of endurance rallying and the rise of the Group B class eventually signaled its demise. As there was no station wagon version of
Mitsubishi Lancer (A70) - Misplaced Pages Continue
4662-428: The 1950s, and the three were reintegrated as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1964. Within three years, its output was over 75,000 vehicles annually. Following the successful introduction of the first Galant in 1969 and similar growth with its commercial-vehicle division, the company decided to create a single operation to focus on the automotive industry. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) was formed on 22 April 1970, as
4773-543: The 1974–77 events, building for itself an enviable reputation for durability when only one of thirteen cars failed to finish in those four attempts. The high point was a clean sweep of the podium places in 1976. The car had previously demonstrated similar qualities in 1973, with its debut in the Australian Southern Cross Rally being rewarded with a clean sweep of the top four places. Works driver Andrew Cowan would go on to dominate this race in
4884-712: The 4G15 engine was used instead of Suzuki's G15A engine. The Maven was discontinued in 2009 due to poor sales. The Colt T120SS was discontinued in 2019 as the base vehicle, the Suzuki Carry was updated, and Mitsubishi was not interested in continuing the alliance. In Japan, Mitsubishi had rebadged the Suzuki Solio as the Delica D:2 and the Suzuki Every as the Minicab . Indian manufacturer Hindustan had
4995-512: The A140-series in Japan, reflecting the introduction of new engines. Since it kept the 4G32 engine, the GSR was referred to as an A73 until the very end in spite of having received all of the bodywork modifications. As a response to the new emissions standards taking effect in 1978, the 1.2-litre Saturn engine was replaced by the new 70 PS Orion G11B (1,244 cc) in April 1977. This
5106-664: The Australian-built Mitsubishi Sigma to the UK as the Lonsdale YD41 in an attempt to circumvent British import quotas, but the new brand was unsuccessful. It then carried Mitsubishi Sigma badges in 1983–84 before abandoning this operation entirely. South Korean manufacturer Hyundai , built the Hyundai Pony in 1975 using MMC's Saturn engine and transmissions. Korea's first car, it remained in production for 13 years. Mitsubishi held up to
5217-672: The Eclipse and Galant were being explored in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Russia, where the company's bestselling dealership is located. Mitsubishi Motors has also been active in OEM production of cars for Nissan , and announced a similar partnership with Groupe PSA in July 2005 to manufacture an SUV on their behalf. Mitsubishi Motors reported its first profitable quarter in four years in
5328-647: The Ford Triton light truck. Samcor also made a version of the Mazda 323 for the UK market called the Sao Penza, which was a marque like Lonsdale YD41 , invented to get around British import quotas. Malaysian manufacturer Proton was initially very dependent on Mitsubishi Motors, assembling their 1985 Proton Saga using mostly MMC components at a newly established facility in Shah Alam . Subsequent models like
5439-617: The Galant as the Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth Sapporo . However, this expansion was beginning to cause friction; Chrysler saw their overseas markets for subcompacts as being directly encroached by their Japanese partners, while MMC felt the Americans were demanding too much say in their corporate decisions. Mitsubishi Motors finally achieved annual production of a million cars in 1980, but by this time, its ally
5550-401: The Japanese government in November 2018, when Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko assumed the chairmanship. By 2023, Renault Group began supplying Mitsubishi in Continental Europe, with the Renault Clio and Renault Captur rebadge as the Colt and ASX. The firm has no plans to sell any of the models in Britain or Ireland, as the Colt Car Company's Mitsubishi aftersales business was bought as
5661-509: The Lancer EX, the first generation Lancer Van (wagon) continued in production for the home and select export markets until February 1985, by which time the car was conspicuously outmoded. When the 1.2-litre pushrod was replaced in 1975, Vans for the domestic market retained the old Neptune engine for an extra year, and the 1238/1439 cc Saturn engines weren't replaced by Orions until March 1979. The smaller Orion engined version (1.2 L A141V) continued to be available in Greece and Kenya into
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#17327758998235772-421: The Lancer was complemented by a hatchback coupé called the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste (A70-series). It succeeded the Galant FTO , which never did very well in the marketplace due to confusion with the Galant GTO and carrying too high a price. It was also called the Mitsubishi Celeste or Colt Celeste in some markets; and sold as the Chrysler Lancer Hatchback in Australia, the Dodge Lancer Celeste in El Salvador ,
5883-406: The Mitsubishi Colt subcompact in the company's line-up, but is also the name of MMC's import/distribution company in the United Kingdom, the Colt Car Company , established in 1974. For the first decade of its existence, before Far Eastern auto manufacturers had established their reputations, its cars carried the "Colt" badge in Britain instead of "Mitsubishi". In 1982 and 1983, Mitsubishi introduced
5994-441: The Mitsubishi brand in many export markets stemmed from a fear of buyer resistance amongst those who could still remember fighting Japanese pilots in Mitsubishi A6M Zeros . In the Australian market, the first generation models were initially sold under the Chrysler Valiant Lancer name, with approximately 11,800 units sold between late 1974 and 1979. The original LA series was released in September 1974 in two levels of specification,
6105-481: The North American market. Chrysler introduced the Plymouth Arrow as a captive import of the Celeste in January 1976 as an extension to the Dodge Colt lineup. It was also known as the Dodge Arrow in Canada. It was also sold as the Dodge Celeste in Puerto Rico. The Arrow was a rear-wheel drive car utilizing a solid rear axle and leaf springs in the rear, with MacPherson struts in the front. Transmission types included four and five-speed manual transmissions and
6216-549: The Plymouth Arrow in the United States, and the Dodge Arrow in Canada. Sitting on the same 2,340 mm wheelbase as the Lancer, length was up to 4,115 mm. The Celeste was originally available with 1.4- and 1.6-litre options, a bigger 2.0-litre model was added later (1975 for export markets, but only as of 1979 for the Japanese domestic market). The 1979–80 Plymouth Fire Arrow came with an even larger (2,555 cc) four-cylinder, but strangled by American emissions regulations it only offered 105 hp (78 kW), no more than
6327-407: The TTC-V (Vortex) exhaust gas recirculation approach used earlier, Toyota Corolla E80 , and Toyota Sprinter . The lean mixture sensor was provided in the exhaust system to detect air–fuel ratios leaner than the theoretical air–fuel ratio. The fuel injection volume was then accurately controlled by a computer using this detection signal to achieve lean air–fuel ratio feedback. For optimal combustion,
6438-414: The combustion chamber during the intake stroke: one vortex of air, the other of an air/fuel mixture. The two vortices also remain independent layers throughout most of the compression stroke. Near the end of the compression stroke, the layers collapse into uniform minute turbulences, which effectively promote lean-burn characteristics. More importantly, ignition occurs in the initial stages of breakdown of
6549-747: The combustion chambers. The extremely weak air–fuel mixtures lead to lower combustion temperatures and therefore lower NOx formation. While lean-burn gas engines offer higher theoretical thermal efficiencies, transient response and performance may be compromised in certain situations. However, advances in fuel control and closed loop technology by companies like North American Repower have led to production of modern CARB certified lean burn heavy duty engines for use in commercial vehicle fleets. Lean-burn gas engines are almost always turbocharged, resulting in high power and torque figures not achievable with stoichiometric engines due to high combustion temperatures. Heavy duty gas engines may employ precombustion chambers in
6660-457: The construction of a new manufacturing plant in Indonesia under a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation (40%) and a local company Krama Yudha Group (9%), with the maximum production capacity of 160,000 vehicles per year. In July 2015, the Mitsubishi Motors announced that it plans to end production at the Diamond-Star Motors plant in Normal, Illinois , US, as the plant has been operating well below capacity for several years. Operations at
6771-511: The conventional version. The lean-burn MVV engine can achieve complete combustion with an air–fuel ratio as high as 25:1, this boasts a 10–20% gain in fuel economy (on the Japanese 10-mode urban cycle) in bench tests compared with its conventional MPI powerplant of the same displacement, which means lower CO 2 emissions. The heart of the Mitsubishi's MVV system is the linear air–fuel ratio exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Compared with standard oxygen sensors, which essentially are on-off switches set to
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#17327758998236882-492: The crowded streets of Japan. Japanese media rumored in 1992 and 1993 that Mitsubishi Motors intended a hostile acquisition of Honda . While Mitsubishi was riding high off of profitable vehicles such as the Diamante and Pajero, Honda was caught off-guard with the SUV and truck boom, and was losing focus after the illness and later death of its founder . Honda CEO Nobuhiko Kawamoto took drastic steps, though, such as exiting Formula 1 and discontinuing unprofitable vehicles to avert
6993-407: The cylinder head. A lean gas and air mixture is first highly compressed in the main chamber by the piston. A much richer, though much lesser volume gas/air mixture is introduced to the precombustion chamber and ignited by spark plug. The flame front spreads to the lean gas air mixture in the cylinder. This two stage lean-burn combustion produces low NOx and no particulate emissions. Thermal efficiency
7104-559: The design of heavy-duty natural gas , biogas , and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuelled engines. These engines can either be full-time lean-burn, where the engine runs with a weak air–fuel mixture regardless of load and engine speed, or part-time lean-burn (also known as "lean mix" or "mixed lean"), where the engine runs lean only during low load and at high engine speeds, reverting to a stoichiometric air–fuel mixture in other cases. Heavy-duty lean-burn gas engines admit twice as much air as theoretically needed for complete combustion into
7215-407: The design of the Plymouth Arrow Truck and its cousins; the Dodge D-50 and Mitsubishi Mighty Max pickups. The Harry Nilsson song, Me and My Arrow (from The Point! ) was used in television commercials in the United States promoting the Plymouth Arrow during the 1970s. One of the more interesting options available for the Arrow was a small tent. When the rear seats were lowered and the tent
7326-485: The development of diesel engines using the Japanese company's gasoline direct injection technology. They united again in 2005 to develop the Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser sport utility vehicles (SUVs), based on the Japanese company's Mitsubishi Outlander . Two further ties were established between the companies in 2008, first with the establishment of a jointly owned production facility in Kaluga , which will manufacture up to 160,000 Outlander-based SUVs for
7437-477: The eighties. Wagon versions for export received updates on the same schedule as did export sedans/coupés. The domestic market vans received yet another update in October 1981, again to clean emissions, meaning that a new set of chassis numbers were assigned. The home market vans were available in Standard (only 1200), EL, and GL trim levels. The Lancer Van was finally replaced by the new front-wheel drive Mirage/Lancer Wagon and Van in February 1985. In February 1975,
7548-411: The entire back half of the car on both sides (often in a red and flat black colour combination). For 1979, the styling was freshened with the addition of flush bumpers, a more horizontal grille with rectangular headlights and hidden turn signals, chrome strips on the tail-lamps, and larger rear glass for the hatchback. Inside, the steering wheel previously found only in the Arrow GT was now standard while
7659-455: The facility ended in May 2016. The plant was sold to Maynards Industries, which sold the site to American electric vehicle startup Rivian in 2017. In May 2016, in the wake of the fuel-efficiency scandal uncovered by Nissan (discussed in "Fuel economy scandal" ), Nissan began the acquisition of a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors, with the aim of making Nissan the largest and controlling shareholder of Mitsubishi and turning Mitsubishi Motors into
7770-401: The fast-growing Russian market. They were also collaborating in the research and development of electric powertrains for small urban vehicles. Japanese newspaper Nikkei claimed that PSA will sell the electric city car Mitsubishi i MIEV in Europe by 2011. In Europe, Mitsubishi Motors used diesel engines supplied by German manufacturer Volkswagen for some of its mid-sized cars, such as
7881-438: The fenders and doors and ending under the quarter-windows. Unlike the coloured versions, the white/black Fire Arrow had only one engine option, the 2.6 I4. The Arrow coupe was discontinued after the 1980 model-year. A pickup truck version of the Arrow sharing very few parts with the coupe was released in 1979. Also available with the 2.6 L engine, the pickup was discontinued after 1982. The Arrow coupe's styling strongly influenced
7992-502: The following items were applied: program independent injection that accurately changed the injection volume and timing for individual cylinders, platinum plugs for improving ignition performance with lean mixtures, and high performance igniters. The lean-burn versions of the 1587cc 4A-FE and 1762cc 7A-FE 4-cylinder engines have 2 inlet and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder. Toyota uses a set of butterflies to restrict flow in every second inlet runner during lean-burn operation. This creates
8103-471: The heater provided more output. The rear axle was also extended 2.5 inches for better traction. A sporty variant called the Fire Arrow was first offered this year, which had special decals and a sporty interior, as well as a 2.6 L I4 engine and four-wheel disc brakes. The Fire Arrow had one of the best horsepower/weight ratios among U.S. production cars at the time because of its light weight. The 2.6
8214-456: The hood, which was changed to dual nozzles for 1977 and remained that way for all later year Arrows. Sporty exterior finishes were also offered, such as the Arrow Jet package, first offered in 1978. The Arrow Jet paint package was an eye-catching two-tone finish, typically in spit-fire orange and black. The entire car was spit-fire orange, but the entire bottom half of the car was covered in
8325-611: The introduction of the facelift model in Australia, designated locally as the LB series. This was discontinued in May 1979, having lost most of its market share to the bigger, locally built Chrysler Sigma . The high-performance Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR sold as the Colt Lancer 1600 GSR in Europe, was developed by Mitsubishi Motors to further their aspirations in off-road racing , especially
8436-623: The latest Mitsubishi Colt and the related Smart Forfour (partner DaimlerChrysler cancelled its production in 2006). Production of European market-bound Mitsubishi Outlanders , and badge-engineered versions of this vehicle, were also manufactured in the Netherlands until 2012, when the company sold the plant to the Dutch industrial conglomerate VDL Groep . Mitsubishi Motors Europe 's headquarters and their European distribution center are still based in Born. In Indonesia, Mitsubishi offered
8547-583: The model. By the beginning of the 1960s, Japan's economy was gearing up; wages were rising and the idea of family motoring was taking off. Central Japan Heavy-Industries, now known as Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, had already re-established an automotive department in its headquarters in 1953. Now, it was ready to introduce the Mitsubishi 500 , a mass-market sedan, to meet the new demand from consumers. It followed this in 1962 with
8658-421: The need for a separate ignition module. ELB was produced in both open-loop and closed-loop variants; the open-loop systems produced exhaust clean enough for many vehicle variants so equipped to pass 1976 and 1977 US Federal emissions regulations , and Canadian emissions regulations through 1980, without a catalytic converter . The closed-loop version of ELB used an oxygen sensor and a feedback carburetor , and
8769-521: The ongoing tensions between Chrysler and Mitsubishi, they agreed to unite in a vehicle manufacturing operation in Normal, Illinois . The 50/50 venture provided a way to circumvent the voluntary import restrictions, while providing a new line of compact and subcompact cars for Chrysler. Diamond-Star Motors (DSM)—from the parent companies' logos: three diamonds (Mitsubishi) and a pentastar (Chrysler)—was incorporated in October 1985, and in April 1986, ground
8880-406: The only one of Japan's 11 auto manufacturers to be privately held. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries agreed to reduce its share to 25%, retaining its position as largest single stockholder. Chrysler, meanwhile, increased its holding to over 20%. The capital raised by this initial offering enabled Mitsubishi to pay off part of its debts, as well as to expand its investments throughout Southeast Asia, where it
8991-499: The open market in 1993. The two companies then terminated their close alliance, with Mitsubishi Motors no longer supplying parts for engines and transmissions for Chrysler. After this period, the company sought alliances with many other automotive manufacturers in different areas of the world, as described under "other alliances" below, with its most economically significant alliance being with Nissan to develop and manufacture kei cars. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) participated in
9102-414: The petrochemical industries' accepted standard of C 8 H 18 . This lean-burn ability by the necessity of the limits of physics, and the chemistry of combustion as it applies to a current gasoline engine must be limited to light load and lower RPM conditions. A "top" speed cut-off point is required since leaner gasoline fuel mixtures burn slower and for power to be produced combustion must be "complete" by
9213-722: The power is cut by partially closing a throttle. However, the extra work done in pulling air through the throttle reduces efficiency. If the fuel/air ratio is reduced, then lower power can be achieved with the throttle closer to fully open, and the efficiency during normal driving (below the maximum torque capability of the engine) can be higher. The engines designed for lean-burning can employ higher compression ratios and thus provide better performance, efficient fuel use and low exhaust hydrocarbon emissions than those found in conventional gasoline engines . Ultra lean mixtures with very high air–fuel ratios can only be achieved by direct injection engines. The main drawback of lean-burning
9324-502: The relative "imprecise" nature of such limited the MPG abilities of the concept that now under MPI (Multi-Port fuel Injection) allows for higher MPG too. The newer Honda stratified charge (lean-burn engines) operate on air–fuel ratios as high as 22:1. The amount of fuel drawn into the engine is much lower than a typical gasoline engine, which operates at 14.7:1—the chemical stoichiometric ideal for complete combustion when averaging gasoline to
9435-413: The sales channels have been combined into one franchise that sells all models, including kei cars and commercial delivery vehicles. Lean burn Lean-burn refers to the burning of fuel with an excess of air in an internal combustion engine . In lean-burn engines the air–fuel ratio may be as lean as 65:1 (by mass). The air / fuel ratio needed to stoichiometrically combust gasoline, by contrast,
9546-662: The separate layers while substantial amounts of each layer still exist. Because the spark plug is located closer to the vortex consisting of air/fuel mixture, ignition arises in an area of the pentroof-design combustion chamber where fuel density is higher. The flame then spreads through the combustion chamber via the small turbulences. This provides stable combustion even at normal ignition-energy levels, thereby realizing lean-burn. The engine computer stores optimum air fuel ratios for all engine-operating conditions—from lean (for normal operation) to richest (for heavy acceleration) and all points in between. Full-range oxygen sensors (used for
9657-640: The start of the venture, affecting 625,000 cars produced by NMKV. The result of the "fuel economy scandal" was that Nissan acquired a controlling interest in Mitsubishi. In July 2024, Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan announced a partnership with Honda for the joint development of their future electric models. Mitsubishi Motors maintained two retail sales channels that sold specific models, called "Car Plaza" and "Galant Shop". Certain models were exclusive to either channel, while some models were available at both channels, as required by local Japanese market conditions. More recently, due to cancellation of larger sedans,
9768-486: The third Japanese manufacturer (after Daihatsu and Suzuki ) to begin assembly in China. Before receiving government approval for this project, Mitsubishi had to express contrition over "defective" Mitsubishi trucks imported to China in 1984 and 1985. By 1989, Mitsubishi's worldwide production, including its overseas affiliates, had reached 1.5 million units. Mitsubishi Motors went public in 1988, ending its status as
9879-421: The third quarter of 2006, and returned to profitability by the end of the 2006 financial year, and sustained profitability and global sales of 1,524,000 through 2007 and later. In January 2011, the company announced its next midterm business plan to introduce eight hybrid and battery-powered models by 2015. It aimed to sell its first two plug-in hybrids by fiscal 2012. In March 2015, Mitsubishi Motors started
9990-400: The time the exhaust valve opens. In 1984, Toyota released the 4A-ELU engine. This was the first engine in the world to use a lean-burn combustion control system with a lean mixture sensor, called "TTC-L" ( Toyota Total Clean -Lean-Burn) by Toyota. Toyota also referred to an earlier lean burn system as "Turbulence Generating Pot" (TGP). TTC-L was used in Japan on Toyota Carina T150 replacing
10101-525: The two countries' governments, had to be included among the 120,000 cars earmarked for Chrysler. A restricting element of Mitsubishi's deal with Chrysler was that Chrysler had the right of first refusal of any Mitsubishi automobiles in the US market until 1990. Toward the end of the 1980s, as MMC initiated a major push to increase its U.S. presence, it aired its first national television advertising campaign and made plans to increase its network to 340 dealers. Despite
10212-529: The two-litre engine had in markets outside of North America. Along with receiving a light facelift in July 1977, including new taillights and the cleaner (but lower powered) MCA-Jet engines, new model codes (A140-series) were introduced. There was another facelift in April 1978; square headlights and bigger, less integrated bumpers heralded the coming eighties. Named accordingly, a top-of-the-line GT System 80 version had appeared in November 1977, including every possible extra and special black and gold paintwork. This
10323-466: Was also optional on the GS and GT models, and was only offered in conjunction with disc brakes all around. For 1979 and the succeeding year, the lineup began with the base Arrow (where the 2.0 L I4 engine was a new engine option), followed by the GS, GT, and the Fire Arrow on top. The styling changes of the 1979 models carried over to 1980. The Fire Arrow however, was changed significantly. The 1980 Fire Arrow
10434-700: Was broken on a 1.9-million-square-foot (177,000 m ) production facility in Normal. In 1987, the company was selling 67,000 cars a year in the U.S., but when the plant was completed in March 1988, it offered an annual capacity of 240,000 vehicles. Initially, three platform-sharing compact 2+2 coupés were released, the Mitsubishi Eclipse , Eagle Talon , and Plymouth Laser , with other models being introduced in subsequent years. In 1986 Mitsubishi reached an agreement with Liuzhou Automotive to assemble their Minicab kei van and truck there, making Mitsubishi
10545-686: Was by now operating in the Philippines , Malaysia , and Thailand . Hirokazu Nakamura became president of Mitsubishi Motors in 1989, and steered the company in some promising directions, with the advent of the Japanese asset price bubble " market correction " that led to the Lost Decade as a result of the Plaza Accord agreement signed in 1985. Sales of the company's new Pajero were bucking conventional wisdom by becoming popular even in
10656-663: Was called A71, A72 and A73 models. The 1600 GSR, introduced in September, used two Mikuni -made twin-barrel Solex carburetors for 110 PS (81 kW) at 6,700 rpm. This vehicle was sold as the Colt Lancer in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other European countries. In some Latin American countries, as for example, in El Salvador , the car initially was known as the Dodge Lancer. This reluctance to use
10767-918: Was clipped over the open hatchback, it would allow the back of the car to be used for camping. General Motors would borrow this design many years later for the Pontiac Aztek . Data tables expand. Models listed are primarily as available in the Japanese domestic market, with notes on important export variants. For information on the Lancer-based Dodge Colt see that article. Rebadged models, mostly from Japanese or Korean manufacturers – Rebadged Chrysler/Plymouth models for external markets Mitsubishi Motors Mitsubishi Motors Corporation ( 三菱自動車工業株式会社 , Mitsubishi Jidōsha Kōgyō KK , lit. ' Mitsubishi Automotive Industry Company ' , / m ɪ t s ʊ ˈ b iː ʃ i / , Japanese pronunciation: [mitsɯꜜbiɕi] )
10878-504: Was launched in 2007 and 2008. Slow-selling vehicles were eliminated from the U.S. market, purchase projections for the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance have been scaled back, and 10,000 jobs were shed to cut costs with 3,400 workers at its Australian plant and other loss-making operations still under threat. Meanwhile, in an effort to increase production at its U.S. facility, new export markets for
10989-524: Was merged with the Mitsubishi Aircraft Co., a company established in 1920 to manufacture aircraft engines and other parts. The unified company was known as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and was the largest private company in Japan. MHI concentrated on manufacturing aircraft , ships , railroad cars and machinery, but in 1937 developed the PX33 , a prototype sedan for military use. It
11100-586: Was not so healthy; as part of its battle to avoid bankruptcy , Chrysler was forced to sell its Australian manufacturing division to MMC that year. The new Japanese owners renamed it Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL). In 1982, the Mitsubishi brand was introduced to the American market for the first time. The Tredia sedan , and the Cordia and Starion coupés were initially sold through 70 dealers in 22 states, with an allocation of 30,000 vehicles among them. This quota , restricted by mutual agreement between
11211-399: Was now available with two new paint schemes: tan with a darker caramel-coloured hood, and blue with a dark blue hood. These coloured models were available with the smaller 1.6 engine and, like the base-model Arrows, had bumpers that were chrome instead of body colour. The white Fire Arrow was also changed, and now had a matte-black hood and cowl, with the black paint continuing along the tops of
11322-494: Was offered for one more model year before the Dodge Colt name was gradually transferred to the front wheel drive Mitsubishi Mirage . The very large safety bumpers used in the American market were added to certain models in the domestic range in March 1978 (GL Extra, GSL, GSR) as part of one last minor facelift. This facelift also introduced the larger 1.4-litre Orion engine ( G12B ), of 80 PS (59 kW). April 1977 saw
11433-534: Was phased into production as emissions regulations grew more stringent starting in 1981, but open-loop ELB was used as late as 1990 in markets with lax emissions regulations, on vehicles such as the Mexican Chrysler Spirit . The spark control and engine parameter sensing and transduction strategies introduced with ELB remained in use through 1995 on Chrysler vehicles equipped with throttle-body fuel injection . Lean-burn concepts are often used for
11544-515: Was replaced by the front-wheel drive Cordia in early 1982. Because of the Arrow's long, narrow, aerodynamic, lightweight design and rugged suspension, it was used extensively in various types of racing including SCCA road racing, rally and drag racing . The Arrow body design was used on pro stock and funny cars in the late 1970s by noteworthy racers such as Ray Godman, Don Prudhomme , Bob Glidden , and Raymond Beadle . The 1.6-litre Celeste
11655-435: Was reserved for the two-door version, while four-door sedans only received the 1.4. Top speeds were 150, 155, and 165 km/h. In November 1976 the Japanese market models received a facelift, losing the previous L-shaped/upright rear lamps in favor of wide rectangular units. Front indicators were enlarged and moved, and new bigger rubber bumpers were also added, and new grilles were introduced. This generation gradually became
11766-505: Was sold in Australia as the Chrysler Lancer Hatchback as part of the LB series from April 1977. It featured sports instrumentation and a 55-kilowatt (74 hp) version of the 4G32. The final LC iteration arrived in May 1979 with a rationalised model range which saw the sedan body variant deleted. Changes were as for 1979 Celestes, comprising rectangular headlamps , redesigned tail-lamps, black painted metal bumpers ,
11877-538: Was the first Japanese-built passenger car with full-time four-wheel drive , a technology the company would return to almost 50 years later in its quest for motorsport and sales success. Immediately following the end of the Second World War , the company returned to manufacturing vehicles. Fuso bus production resumed, while a small three-wheeled cargo vehicle called the Mizushima and a scooter called
11988-523: Was the new lean-burning MCA-Jet engine, which was added to the existing Saturn 4G33 and 4G32 engines in June. Power for these (now G33B/G32B) was reduced to 82 PS (60 kW) and 86 PS (63 kW). It was this series that emerged in the United States as the Dodge Colt for the 1977 model year (Plymouth Colt in Canada), taking over from a badge-engineered Mitsubishi Galant from the previous year. It
12099-497: Was three rhombi stacked atop each other. The name Mitsubishi ( 三菱 ) consists of two parts – mitsu meaning "three" and hishi (which becomes " bishi " under rendaku ) meaning " water caltrop " (also called "water chestnut"), and hence "rhombus", which is reflected in the company's logo . Part of Tomio Kubo's expansion strategy was to increase exports by forging alliances with well-established foreign companies. Therefore, in 1971, MHI sold U.S. automotive giant Chrysler
12210-486: Was triggered by accusations of Mitsubishi Motors trying to systematically hide manufacturing defects to avoid recalls, and marketing problems in the US. After a starvation of new investment caused by lack of cashflow, the company introduced the award-winning Mitsubishi i kei car in 2006, its first new model in 29 months, while a revised Outlander has been introduced worldwide to compete in the popular XUV market niche. The next generation of its Lancer and Lancer Evolution
12321-479: Was trumped by the 105 PS (77 kW) 2000 GT introduced in June 1979, with a version of the 2-litre Astron engine which had already used in export since October 1975. In early years, this engine produced a claimed 115 PS SAE (85 kW) in export trim. In period testing, however, power was measured at 60 PS (44 kW) at the wheels. Production of the Lancer Celeste ended in July 1981 and it
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