Volvo to Use Mitsubishi's New GDI Engine

10/07/96

Nikkei English News reported that the Swedish automaker AB Volvo has decided to use Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s newly introduced and highly efficient direct-injection gasoline engine. Volvo said it will put the powerplants into cars made by its joint venture with Mitsubishi in the Netherlands. Mitsubishi Motors' new GDI engine will power several thousand 1,600-2,000cc S40-V40 passenger cars, which the venture is slated to release at the end of next year.

Mitsubishi Motors started putting the engines in its remodeled Galant sedan, which it introduced at the end of August. Compared to conventional gasoline engines, the GDI reportedly increases fuel efficiency by about a third, and offers 10% more power than cover conventional gasoline engines.

Curt Girmundsson, Volvo's senior vice president, announced the company's decision to use the GDI engine in an exclusive interview with The Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel