Thrill of Motor Sports Sparks New Designs from Mitsubishi

FRANKFURT - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation with an emphasis on motor sports 
welcomes visitors to its booth at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  Showcasing 
advanced automotive technologies and Mitsubishi's spirit of challenge are a 
Pajero1 Evolution concept car, the Dakar Pajero that Jutta Kleinschimdt 
drove to her historic victory at the 2001 Paris-Dakar, a prototype of the 
Lancer Evolution WRC (World Rally Car), and a Lancer Evolution VII.

While 2001 is turning into a season of success in motor sports, Mitsubishi 
has never lost track of its real mission: prove the durability, 
performance, and quality of its technologies in the unforgiving conditions 
of off-road competitions so that every Mitsubishi owner can enjoy winning 
performance.

Full lineups of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) and passenger cars that meet 
the diverse needs of Europe's driving enthusiasts are also on display as is 
the latest example of Mitsubishi's commitment to Earth-first technologies, 
the GDI-ISA (Gasoline Direct Injection-Integrated Starter and Alternator).

Pajero Evolution concept car hints at the shapes of things to come.  The 
electrifying design of the Pajero Evolution concept car suggests an 
exciting potential for the Pajero and embodies a new design directive that 
calls for greater visual emphasis of the passion and enthusiasm that go 
into every Mitsubishi vehicle.

In anticipation of new regulations at the Paris-Dakar, Mitsubishi changed 
its development philosophy to create a more competitive and engaging car. 
This Pajero Evolution concept car is one example of Mitsubishi's new 
outlook. Dynamic design elements that inspire passion and breathe the 
aggressive spirit of motor sports into the Pajero's functional elegance 
immediately establish a link between Mitsubishi's successful rally 
activities and its production cars. The sleek, futuristic expression of 
sheer driving pleasure at once projects power and emotion.

Mitsubishi is on course for greater glory in 2001 as Mitsubishi chases 
multiple WRC (World Rally Championship) titles to follow up a historic 
victory at the 2001 Paris-Dakar

Both motor sports and driving enthusiasts can examine up close a prototype 
of the Lancer Evolution WRC that is intended to help Mitsubishi's ace WRC 
driver, Tommi Makinen, capture an unprecedented fifth Drivers' Title and 
improve Mitsubishi's chances of claiming its second Manufacturer's Title.

Switching to the World Rally Car regulation from the established Group A 
category represents a major change in Mitsubishi's policy. However, the 
change was necessary to ensure direct reflection of rally proven 
technologies in its production cars. The Lancer Evolution VII is a perfect 
example of Mitsubishi's commitment. Contrary to norms, the Lancer Evolution 
VII is based on the rally model and not vice versa. This unusual 
arrangement allows non-professional drivers to enjoy winning performance 
very similar to that of the rally model. The new Lancer Evolution WRC 
should greatly help Makinen's chances of rewriting motor sports history 
when it is introduced at the San Remo Rally this October.

German rally driver Jutta Kleinschmidt has already rewritten motor sport 
history this year when on January 22 she became the first woman to win the 
Paris-Dakar Rally. Visitors can examine close up the Dakar Pajero that she 
and co-drive Andreas Schulz skillfully guided to victory.

   All models in Mitsubishi's full range of accomplished SUVs incorporate 
technologies, quality, and durability proven in punishing off-road 
competitions

Starting the Pajero lineup is the compact and lightweight Pajero Pinin2. 
Its stylish "just right" design helps offer the legendary Pajero's 
all-terrain driving experience at the most personal and accessible 
level-and bring a tough, fun-loving approach to both the outdoors and the 
urban wilderness.  New for the 2002 model is an engine-4WD pairing that 
makes the Pajero Pinin even more accessible.  An 84-kW 1.8-litre ECI-MULTI 
(Electronically Controlled Injection-MULTI point injection) engine is 
coupled to a hands-off full-time 4WD system with a viscous coupling unit.

Widely recognised as an expression of prestige and true all-terrain 
performance, the peerless Pajero stands atop the namesake lineup. 
Technologies that helped the Pajero claim the top two places in this year's 
Paris-Dakar are combined with the features and performance potential of an 
executive-class passenger car to create a rewarding motoring experience 
second to none.

Bridging the Pajero and Pajero Pinin, the Pajero Sport3 is a more 
accessible way for driving enthusiasts to enjoy the combination of 
all-terrain mastery and refined on-road handling that is an established 
Pajero tradition.

The L200 is the undisputed leader of the one-tonne pick-up category when it 
comes to combining economy, reliability, and ruggedness.  If any more proof 
were needed, consider its magnificent performance in attaining fifth 
overall and third in the modified production class-after the two Pajeros-in 
the 2001 Paris-Dakar.