Tokyo, 3 July 2000: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces the addition to the Pajero iO series a 5-door TR model powered by a new 1.8-liter GDI Turbo engine, which exploits the properties inherent to Mitsubishi's own GDI technology to deliver high response high performance while returning very low fuel consumption. The Pajero iO 5-door TR goes on sale at Galant and Car Plaza dealerships throughout Japan on Monday 3 July.

The Pajero iO 5-door has proven highly popular for its "car-for-all-seasons" versatility that comes from its true 4-wheel drive performance, easy-to-handle body size, outstanding convenience and practicality, and superior fuel economy. Powered by the first-ever 1.8-liter GDI Turbo engine, the new Pajero iO 5-door TR generates more low-end and mid-range torque to deliver improved and more relaxed dynamic performance, together with fuel economy that is on a par with a naturally aspirated engine.

The turbocharged performance makes the new power unit feel like a 2.4-liter engine while still returning the same mileage as the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter GDI model. On those longer trips with a full complement of passengers and outdoor leisure goods on board, the new Pajero iO 5-door TR is sure to boost customer satisfaction further still.

1.8-liter GDI Turbo engine

The new 1.8-liter GDI Turbo power unit exploits the qualities of MMC's GDI technology to solve the problems associated with existing turbocharged multi-port injection engines. As a result, it maximizes the benefits of supercharging to deliver instant and lag-free response from low engine speeds and returns superior fuel economy. The new power unit's vital statistics are as follows:

Supercharged looks

Pajero iO 5-door TR is the first Mitsubishi model to be powered by this new engine. In keeping with its supercharged performance, sports a new design front grille with thick cross bars, exclusive alloy road wheels and other exterior and interior trim that gives added dash to its appearance.

Pajero iO 5-door TR 4WD 4-speed A/T (fitted with Sporty Package)

I. Principal product features

1. 1.8-liter GDI Turbo (4G93) powertrain

• The GDI Turbo engine operates in an ultra-lean (air-rich) mode under low-speed, low-load conditions and so produces a larger quantity of exhaust gas that is recirculated passes over the turbocharger turbine in the intake manifold. This keeps the turbine turning faster while the throttle is closed and therefore reduces turbo-lag when the driver opens the throttle to accelerate, giving more seamless and smoother response.

• The intake cooling and the two-stage mixture, detonation control technologies inherent to the GDI engine enable the use of a 10:1 compression ratio - very high for a supercharged engine. This enables higher low-end and mid-range torque than is possible with a normal turbocharged engine.

• The new 1.8-liter GDI Turbo engine complies with Japanese 2000 Emissions regulations and clears 2010 fuel consumption standards.

2. Pajero iO 5-door TR specification

• Vehicle height has been lowered 20mm, a stabilizer bar fitted to the rear suspension, and shock absorber damping rates optimized to match Pajero iO 5-door TR's handling stability to its new level of turbocharged performance.

• 215/65R16 tires replace the 215/70R16 rubber on the naturally aspirated Pajero iO 5-door for improved handling.

3. Safety specification

• As in the 2.0-liter GDI model, stronger A- and B-pillars and side roof rails help minimize cabin deformation in a crash for enhanced occupant cell protection. MMC's RISE safety body has been made safer still after the introduction of 40% offset deformable barrier crash testing at 64 km/h.

• Front seatbelts are fitted with fit-enhancing pretensioners.. In addition, a force limiter system automatically slackens the belt slightly in the event it is subject to a load exceeding a preset value to reduce transmission of crash energy to the wearer's chest.

• Pajero iO 5-door TR uses MMC's Electronic Brake-force Distribution system (EBD) that optimizes brake force between front and rear wheels to match road surface and vehicle load conditions. This system reduces braking distance as well as giving improved feel.

• To match its higher dynamic performance, Pajero iO TR uses 16-inch ventilated disc brakes at the front and, replacing the 9-inch drum brakes on the regular model, 14-inch disc brakes at the rear.

4. Exterior

• A new cross-bar grille and exclusive alloy road wheels accent the GDI Turbo's powerful performance potential, while complementing its compact size.

5. Interior

• Dark blue seat upholstery adds a refined, quality-look to Pajero iO TR' interior.

6. Sporty Package

A factory-fitted Sporty Package, comprising side sill garnish, a roof spoiler, fog lamps, spare tire cover and a Nardi wood rim steering wheel, adds a further stylish dash to the exterior and interior.

II. Sales information

1. Monthly target: 1,000 units. Total Pajero iO series target, 3,600 units.
2. Available at: Galant and Car Plaza dealerships throughout Japan.

III. Manufacturer's recommended price

Body type	Drive	Trim level	Transmission	Price nationwide
5-door	4WD	TR	4-speed automatic	2,100,000 YEN

A factory-fitted Sporty Package is available at a cost of 60,000YEN

Pajero iO 5door TR: Principal Specifications

Highlights of 1.8-liter GDI Turbo Pajero iO engine

The 1.8-liter GDI Turbo power unit exploits the properties inherent to GDI technology to eliminate the deterioration in fuel economy that accompanies existing turbocharged engines and to deliver high response optimally balanced with super-low fuel consumption.

1. Specification

Engine type	1.8L GDI Turbo (4G93)	2.0L GDI (4G94)	1.8L GDI (Non-turbo 4G93)
Displacement (cc)	1834	1999	1834
Bore x stroke (mm)	81 x 89	81.5 x 95.8	81 x 89
Compression ratio	10.0	11.0	12.0
Valve configuration	DOHC 16-valve	<--	<--
Intake control	Electronic	<--	<--
Supercharging	Turbocharger with intercooler	N.A.	N.A.
Gasoline	Lead-free premium	Lead-free premium(or lead-free regular)	<--
Max. output kW (PS)/ rpm	118(160) / 5200	100 (136) / 5500	96 (130) / 5500
Max torque N-m (kgf-m) / rpm	220 (22.4) / 3500	191 (19.5) / 3500	181 (18.5) / 3500

2. Features
   

1. High response

(1) Bench response

Existing turbocharged multi-port injection engines suffer from turbo-lag, or the delay in boost response. This stems from the delay in acceleration of turbine speed when the throttle is opened, and is due to the slow turbine speed at low loads when there is only a small exhaust gas flow. The GDI Turbo engine, however, operates in a lean-burn mode at low loads, thereby producing almost twice the exhaust gas flow as an engine operating under stoichiometric conditions. The turbine is therefore already spinning at a higher speed when the driver opens the throttle to start accelerating, and so turbo-lag is significantly reduced. (Fig. 1)

(2) Actual response

Response in a car powered by the GDI Turbo engine is faster than in one powered by a turbocharged multi-port injection engine. (Fig. 2)

2. Low fuel consumption

(1) Enables high compression ratio

The intake air cooling*1 and two-stage mixture*2 detonation ("knocking") control technologies inherent to the GDI engine enable the use of a 10:1 compression ratio - very high for a supercharged engine. This enables higher low-end and mid-range torque than is possible with a normal turbocharged engine.(Fig. 3)

*1 Using the latent heat of vaporization of the fuel spray.
*2 Two-step injection of fuel in intake and compression stages

(2) Controlling boost pressure

In the GDI Turbo engine, boost pressure is suppressed slightly in the high supercharging zone to realize virtually the same fuel efficiency as for a naturally aspirated GDI engine at full throttle, thereby preventing a deterioration in fuel economy. (Fig. 4)

(3) Bench mileage

The GDI Turbo engine achieves better fuel efficiency than a turbocharged multi-port engine at all engine speeds. (Fig. 5)

(4) Actual mileage

The result is that the GDI Turbo engine achieves the same mileage as a naturally aspirated GDI engine and much better mileage than a turbocharged multi-port engine at all engine speeds. Other factors contributing to the significant improvement in 10-15 mode urban pattern mileage are greater precision in the fuel injection, engine management and automatic transmission control systems, a lower idling speed and other efficiency enhancing improvements. (Fig.6)