Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is to announce the GDI engine-powered CARISMA at the 58th Frankfurt Motor Show, which runs from September 9 through September 21. The GDI CARISMA is to go on sale in European markets from October, starting in Germany, and will be the first GDI engine-powered model to be launched outside Japan.

The GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine had its European announcement at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995, where it generated considerable interest. Following the show, the GDI engine was highly acclaimed by government officials, journalists and car owners throughout Europe where there is considerable concern about global warming due to carbon dioxide. Its market introduction was awaited with keen interest.

With the GDI CARISMA paving the way, the company plans to introduce other GDI-powered European export models , starting next year.

GDI CARISMA

Complementing the addition of the GDI engine and other changes to the engine lineup, the new CARISMA series features some changes to exterior and interior trim.

All 1.8-liter models are now powered by the GDI engine. 1.6-liter gasoline and 1.9-liter diesel engines are continued.

The GDI engine is basically the same power plant as that used in the GALANT / LEGNUM series launched in Japan in August last year. Changes have been made in the catalytic converter in order to comply with European laws and regulations, and low-end and mid-range torque has been boosted to match power output characteristics to European market requirements. As a result, the GDI engine returns approximately 20 percent better mileage, delivers some 10 percent more power and cuts carbon dioxide emissions by some 20 percent compared with its 1.8-liter port-injection predecessor.

CARISMA is produced at Netherlands Car B.V. (NedCar) in Holland, a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors, Volvo Car Corporation of Sweden and the Dutch government. Production of the 5-door hatchback model started in June 1995. A 4-door version and diesel powered models were added to the lineup in August 1996. European sales totaled 32,405 units in 1996, and stood at 33,284 units for the period January through July in 1997, This represents a 23 percent increase over the same period in the previous year and attests to the smooth progress being made by Mitsubishi's strategic European model.

With the introduction of the GDI engine and other improvements, plans call for European sales of 90,000 units a year, with over half of these being GDI-powered models.

The company has to date developed three GDI engines: the 1.8-liter unit that powers the GALANT / LEGNUM and CARISMA; the 3.0-liter unit that powers the DIAMANTE; and the 3.5-liter unit that powers the PAJERO and CHALLENGER. The company is currently pushing ahead with development aimed at applying GDI technology to other sizes of engine and plans to use GDI engines to power two more models this year, and to further increase the number of models using the engine next year.

In keeping with these plans, the company plans to increase the GDI engine production capacity at its Kyoto Plant in stages. Production is to be increased from the current level of 20,000 units a month to 30,000 units before the end of the year, and again to 40,000 units in the second half of 1998.

Prior to European launch of the GDI CARISMA, the company conducted an economy run over a 10 day period from August 9 through August 18. Three ADAC officials took turns at the wheel in driving the 6,400 km from Jyvaskyla in Finland to the Cape of Roca in Portugal. The GDI CARISMA used 311 liters in completing the run, an average fuel consumption of 4.83 liters/100 km. The 1.8-liter SOHC CARISMA that also took part in the run used 383 liters, an average fuel consumption of 5.90 liters/100 km