19 April 2000, Tokyo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that it has completed development of the GDI-CVT(*1) new age powertrain, which returns very low fuel consumption and delivers sporty and smooth road performance. Incorporating integrated management of MMC's low-consumption, high-output GDI engine and of a new advanced CVT unit, the GDI-CVT powertrain will drive a new 5-number body size MMC model to be launched in the near future.

The GDI-CVT new age powertrain exploits to the full the strengths of its two major components: the At Will Torque Control ability, and the very wide low-consumption operating zone of the GDI engine; and At Will Shifting ability to control instantly and continuously a very wide range of gear ratios in the CVT. Integrated management of these strengths realizes significant reductions in energy losses and a 10 per cent improvement in fuel consumption compared with the current GDI and automatic transmission powertrain, while also delivering silky-smooth power and performance with excellent response and jerk-free shifting.

The INVECS(*2) -III CVT smart transmission incorporates MMC's proprietary Adaptive Shift Control and Optimal Shift Control technologies that enhance easy-to-drive qualities by automatically selecting the gear ratio best suited to road conditions and to the driver's individual style and preferences. Available is the INVECS-III Sport Mode 6-CVT transmission that features a manual shift override, enabling the enthusiast driver to enjoy lag-free response and enhanced driving pleasure.

(*1) Continuously Variable Transmission
(*2) Intelligent & Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System

GDI-CVT

1. Development goal

The new age powertrain has been developed using integrated GDI and CVT management to realize outstanding road performance characterized by very low fuel consumption and superior driveability.

2. Features

(1) Integrated GDI-CVT management

• The GDI-CVT powertrain first of all exploits the "At Will Torque Control" characteristic inherent in GDI technology - in other words, the ability to regulate torque very precisely - to realize practically lag-free response. The system also uses a new and powerful 32-bit single chip microprocessor to integrate management of the GDI engine and the CVT. By means of highly responsive and high-precision control of CVT hydraulic pressure, the microprocessor keeps pulley pressure at the minimum required for any given engine torque, across the whole torque band. This has made it possible to significantly reduce the friction losses suffered in port-injection gasoline engine and CVT arrangements from the need to apply a greater than necessary pulley pressure to prevent slippage between belts and pulleys. The happy result is lower fuel consumption.
• The GDI-CVT powertrain also exploits the "At Will Shifting" characteristic of the CVT, which permits fast and continuous shifting over a very wide range of gear ratios. This makes it possible to extract to the full the low fuel consumption performance of the GDI engine at low engine speeds - something not possible with a conventional automatic transmission.
• The GDI-CVT arrangement also enables injection of fuel is to be cut off over a wider engine speed band when decelerating, again contributing to a reduction in fuel consumption.

The low fuel consumption qualities of the GDI-CVT powertrain do not result in any sacrifice in performance, however. When the driver puts his foot down, response is instantaneous and the engine revs fast to generate maximum output for stress-free and sporty motoring.

(2) Evolution from INVECS-II to INVECS-III CVT

• From the INVECS-II smart stepped automatic transmission, INVECS-III CVT inherits Optimum Shift Control, which uses a shift pattern based on a large number of average drivers, and Adaptive Shift Control, which tailors shifting to accommodate individual driving styles and preferences. It also exploits the At Will Shifting properties of a CVT, with its step-less shifting, to logically and instantly select the optimum gear ratio for any given situation. INVECS-III CVT also eliminates the unpleasant jerkiness that accompanies shifting.
• Available, the INVECS-III Sport Mode 6-CVT features six fixed pulley diameter settings and a manual shift gate to enable the driver to override the automatic and select his gear of choice. On top of the silky-smooth performance delivered by the INVECS-III CVT, this version provides six gear ratios optimally suited to sporty driving and enhances the fun-to-drive qualities of the car for the enthusiast driver.