The Thrill of Motor Sports Sparks New Designs from Mitsubishi

September 2001 (Newstream) -- 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

Mitsubishi takes pride in the high level of its SUV engineering and ensures its stays that way by exhaustively testing and proving its all-terrain technologies in punishing off-road competitions, such as the Paris-Dakar. Some of its critically acclaimed technologies, including the SS4 (Super Select 4WD), were in fact tempered in the heat of competition. Many technologies thus gained are reflected into every Mitsubishi SUV, so that all Mitsubishi SUV owners can rest assured that superior levels of quality, durability, and performance are built into their vehicles.

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.

A full range of passenger cars meets the ever-diversifying needs of European users

Mitsubishi offers a full range of distinctive passenger cars-from the executive-class Galant to the multi-purpose Space Wagon to the compact and affordable Space Star-to precisely meet the unique needs of its users.

The Mitsubishi Carisma is a stylish expression of affordable high quality, and its satisfying performance and practicality make it popular with discerning drivers. For 2002 model, the Carisma is considerably sportier and more elegant due in part to styling and engineering refinements. The new features include the acclaimed Sports Mode on the INVECS-II 4-speed automatic transmission that is coupled to the revolutionary GDI4 engine.

The Space Star is one of Mitsubishi's most compact and affordable European models. The perky runabout is a pleasure to drive and economical to operate. Its cosmopolitan styling fits the most privileged settings, and its spacious interior offers plenty of comfort and utility. Like all Mitsubishi vehicles, it offers superb occupant and environmental protection. It is part of Mitsubishi's "Space" series of stylish cars that offer supreme levels of utility. Other models in the series include the Space Runner and Space Wagon.

Like the Pajero Pinin, both the Carisma and Space Star are built in Europe, for greater and more timely reflection of European needs.

GDI-ISA maximises the benefits of the revolutionary GDI engine to offer a practical solution to today's environmental concerns

Evolving from the GDI-Sigma technologies that maximise the benefits of the GDI engine, the GDI-ISA is what Mitsubishi calls a "soft" HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) system. An electric motor provides several HEV functions, including idling-stop-and-start, motor-assisted performance, and brake-energy recovery. Working with a 5-speed automated manual transmission, the GDI-ISA realises a 35% improvement5 in fuel economy and complies with Step 4 emissions regulations.

Mitsubishi is committed to encouraging greater applications of eco-technologies. The GDI-ISA is one example of a practical alternative technology. Its low cost and high degree of adaptability make it ideal for immediate application, something that, with an eye to the future, Mitsubishi hopes to do soon.