16 September 1999, Tokyo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that cumulative production of its environment-friendly GDI Engine(*2) has passed the 600,000 unit milestone as of September 15. Production of the GDI engine, which realizes major reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and in fuel consumption over conventional port-injection units, began in May 1996.

GDI Engine family production: May 1996 - 15 September 1999

(*1) GDI is a trademark of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
(*2) The Mitsubishi Gasoline Direct Injection Engine

Mitsubishi Motors recognizes its obligation to show strong leadership by adopting, in all areas of its operations, concrete measures to improve the global environment. In order to actively tackle the carbon dioxide problem, Mitsubishi Motors became the first auto manufacturer to develop the GDI Engine, which substantially reduces carbon dioxide emissions, for practical use.

Mitsubishi Motors is convinced that engines incorporating GDI technology will provide the main source of propulsion for passenger cars at the beginning of the 21st century. To this end, the company is focused on promoting the widespread use of this type of engine by increasing the number of GDI-powered production models.

More specifically, starting with the GALANT and LEGNUM series launched in August 1996 powered by the 1.8-liter in-line 4-cylinder GDI Engine, a total of 11 Mitsubishi domestic market model series currently use this eco-friendly power unit. The other series are: PAJERO, DIAMANTE, CHALLENGER, CARISMA, CHARIOT GRANDIS, RVR, PAJERO IO, ASPIRE, and MIRAGE DINGO.

The most recent model to use this ecology-friendly engine is the new Pajero launched on September 2. The Pajero which is the first fully redesigned model in eight and a half years, is powered by the 3.5-liter V6 GDI Engine. This GDI Engie enables the Pajero to clear the 2010 fuel consumption requirements and to comply with the Japanese 2000 Emissions Regulations. The GDI Engine realizes a major reduction in CO₂, but also lowers substantially the output of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and NOx emissions as well.

Outside of Japan, in October 1997 Mitsubishi Motors launched the 1.8-liter GDI CARISMA produced at NedCar, the company's manufacturing unit in the Netherlands. This has since been followed by GDI-powered Volvo S40 / V40 and Mitsubishi SPACE STAR models, which are also produced at the NedCar plant. The company also exports GDI-powered GALANT and SPACE WAGON (CHARIOT GRANDIS in Japan) to Europe. Sales of all GDI models in Europe are very encouraging.

The company also plans to use the GDI Engine to power the PAJERO PININ produced at Industrie Pininfarina S.p.A in Italy from July this year. The company is supplying GDI Engine technology to Peugeot SA of France and Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea and is confident that use of the GDI Engine will continue to increase and expand.

Mitsubishi Motors continues to improve the performance of the GDI Engine in an ongoing development program. On 29 March this year, the company announced the development of the low consumption GDI SIGMA Series powertrain which exploits the characteristics inherent to GDI and marries together a continuously variable transmission, idle-stop system, hybrid electric vehicle, turbocharging and other peripheral technology, to return mileage that is between 10% and 30% better than for current GDI engines. The first model fitted with the GDI SIGMA Series powertrain will be launched at the end of 1999.

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Copyright 1999 by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.