22 October 1998, Tokyo. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces the addition of an eco-friendly model to its popular FUSO^*1 NEW AEROSTAR city bus series. The NEW AEROSTAR MP is powered by a new CNG^*2 engine and has been developed, against a global backdrop of rising aware-ness about environmental conservation, to meet the demand for more low-pollution vehicles, and public transport city buses in particular, that use fuels other than diesel oil. The new model goes on sale at FUSO dealerships throughout Japan on 22 October.

The new CNG engine that powers the NEW AEROSTAR MP uses a 3-way catalytic converter in the muffler to reduce to very low levels the air-polluting oxides of nitrogen (NOx), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) produced during combustion, and to eliminate black smoke. The smooth combustion characteristics of CNG fuel also help to reduce noise and vibration levels significantly, enhancing further the clean and environmentally-friendly qualities of the engine.

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*1 Mitsubishi Motors heavy- and medium-duty truck and bus brand.
*2 Compressed natural gas

NEW AEROSTAR MP (special photo specification)

Product Features

1. CNG engine operation

CNG gas is stored under high pressure in cylinders tanks. The gas first passes through a regulator valve where the pressure is reduced, and then injected into the intake manifold through a spray bar in a quantity electronically controlled to match the engine load. In the manifold, the gas is mixed with air to form the mixture. The air-fuel mixture is drawn into the engine cylinder, ignited by the spark plug and burnt. The exhaust gas driven out of the engine cylinder passes through a 3-way catalytic converter in the muffler where it is purified before being discharged into the air.

2. Engine performance

The CNG engine is derived from Mitsubishi's 6D24 naturally-aspirated diesel engine which is ideally suited to the stop-start operation of a city bus. It gives the NEW AEROSTAR MP the same level of dynamic performance as a diesel model.

Comparison of CNG and diesel versions (Japan spec.)

Engine type	6D24
Fuel	CNG	Diesel
Bore x stroke (mm)	130 x 150 / in-line 6-cylinder
Displacement (liter)	11.9
Max. power output (ps/rpm)	240 / 2200
Max torque (kg-m/rpm)	85 / 1000	85 / 1400

3. Reduction in emissions

4. Reduction in noise

Inside vehicle (idling)	Inside vehicle (40km/h)

5. Model lineup

Based on the MP717 model (two-step, air suspension), the CNG model is offered in two wheelbase and door location variations.

Model	Wheelbase (m)	Doors
		Front / Middle	Front / Rear
KC-MP717 two-step, air suspension	4.8 (K)	YES	YES
	5.3 (M)	YES	YES