Mitsubishi Wins Paris-Dakar with Tenneco Automotive Kinetic Technology

Advanced Suspension System Enhances Vehicle Stability, Handling and Mobility

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan. 19 -- The Mitsubishi Pajero took a convincing win in one of the world's toughest automobile races, an 18-day race covering rough, desert terrain from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. The Pajero had a unique advantage with patented Kinetic(R) technology provided by Tenneco Automotive .

Already proven in the rigorous on- and off-road conditions of the World Rally Championship (WRC), where the technology helped Citroen to the 2003 Manufacturers title, the Kinetic technology proved equally effective on the desert sands of Africa. The basic Kinetic principle of even wheel loading improves traction, vehicle handling and stability, allowing the drivers to attack with confidence over the unpredictable desert terrain.

The Mitsubishi team has an exclusive license to use the Kinetic RFS system in the Paris to Dakar race, which is a part of the Rally Raid competition, a series of road races over challenging terrains. The technology had already proven effective in the team's first place finish in the UAE Desert challenge of 2003.

Tenneco Automotive's Kinetic engineers worked directly with Mitsubishi's chassis engineers to develop the system for Rally Raid competition, and to tune the system for the desert terrain. "The target of the system is to control everything. It gives agile handling but also comfort, so you can drive quickly over stones and big rocks," said Thierry Viardot, technical director, Mitsubishi Motorsport.

The Kinetic technology offers a simple passive system, requiring no electronics, which makes it more durable and less vulnerable to harsh driving environments with excessive dust, heat and water. "We went through all the situations the Dakar offers - sand, wind, and rocks. Our strong performance was the result of the excellent features on the car," said driver Hiroshi Masuoka.

"We are very excited that our breakthrough Kinetic advanced suspension helped the Mitsubishi team succeed in this prestigious competition," said Tim Jackson, senior vice president, global technology, Tenneco Automotive. "The Mitsubishi team's success highlights the outstanding performance of our Kinetic technology and the benefits of superior handling, traction, mobility and comfort that it offers consumers as well."

Tenneco Automotive's Kinetic Suspension System offers vehicle stability and improved drivability through a principle called mode decoupling - the system's inherent ability to distinguish between roll motion and articulation motion. This capability enables the vehicle designer to increase the vehicle's roll stiffness to reduce body roll and improve handling without the typical trade-off on ride comfort. The system passively interconnects the front and rear stabilizers of the vehicle in order to optimize suspension performance in both on and off-road environments. On road, the system's greater roll stiffness delivers crisper handling when needed, while at the same time provides a smoother ride over bumpy road surfaces. More challenging off-road driving is also easier and more comfortable with the Kinetic system due to enhanced wheel travel and articulation freedom. The system works without sensors, pumps or valves - a simple passive system that can be easily introduced to enhance the performance of any vehicle.

The Kinetic Reversible Function Stabilizer suspension technology will soon be available on the 2004 Lexus GX 470 sport utility vehicle. Toyota is offering a version of the technology as an option on the SUV through a licensing agreement with Tenneco Automotive.

Tenneco Automotive is a $3.5 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,600 employees worldwide. Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of ride control and exhaust systems and products, which are sold under the Monroe(R) and Walker(R) global brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac(R) and Monroe Reflex(R) shocks and struts, Rancho(R) shock absorbers, Walker(R) Quiet-Flow(R) mufflers and DynoMax(R) performance exhaust products, and Monroe(R) Clevite(R) vibration control components.