Mitsubishi announced today the development of two new fuel-sipping technologies. The first is a new compact lightweight 1.8 liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine known as 4J10 and the other is the latest version of the company’s Auto Stop & Go technology.

“The development of these latest technologies is expected to play a big part in achieving MMC’s own upcoming fuel and environmental efficiency targets,” Mitsubishi said in a statement.

The new 4J10 MIVEC engine features next-generation MIVEC system that continuously regulates intake valve lift, opening duration and timing. Power numbers come in at 137-hp at 6,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 127 lb-ft of torque available from 4,000 rpm.

The Auto Stop & Go technology automatically shuts down the engine when the car is stopped at traffic lights (or in other situations) and starts it back up when the accelerator is depressed.

“The new 4J10 engine/AS&G combination will power the Japan-market RVR (ASX or Outlander Sport in some markets) compact SUV, the Galant Fortis sports sedan (Lancer or Lancer EX in some markets), and Galant Fortis Sportback (Lancer Sportback in some markets) 5-door sports hatchback. With this engine, the three models show an improvement of 12% in fuel efficiency (measured by Japanese 10-15 mode), Mitsubishi said. “The RVR will be launched on October 20, and the Galant Fortis models on October 27.”

- By: Omar Rana

Mitsubishi Eclipse

Earlier this morning, we reported that Mitsubishi plans on bringing a mixture of eight electric-cars and hybrids to the United States by 2015. The move is being made to help jump-start its sluggish American car sales and meet environmental targets.

As a part of the plan, Mitsubishi will also drop three slow-selling models by 2013 including the Galant sedan, Eclipse sports coupe and the Endeavor SUV. Instead of those three models, Mitsubishi will offer some of the smaller hybrid and electric models.

Mitsubishi will start selling its first electric-car in the United States in Nov. 2011. Known as the Mitsubishi i, the model gets 70 miles on a single charge and will be priced under $30,000.

- By: Zain Haq

Source: NYT

2009 Mitsubishi Colt

Mitsubishi is planning a major overhaul to its product lineup and is working on a new small car that can be sold around the world, according to latest reports. It is also reported that the future of the Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder are uncertain in the United States market.

A yet-to-be-named global small car is expected to go on sale in the United States by the end of 2012 as a 2013 model year. The subcompact is expected to get power from a 1.0L or 1.3L 3-cylinder engine with prices starting under $12,000.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, a 5-door electric-vehicle is expected to go on sale in the United States in November or December 2011. That will be followed by a plug-in hybrid electric-vehicle based on the PX MiEV crossover concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in 2013 as a 2014 model year.

During the same period, reports suggest that we’ll see a replacement for the Galant, Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, and Endeavor. Either that or all of those model will be killed off.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoWeek

Mitsubishi announced today that it will suspend production at its Illinois plant for seven weeks next year after its U.S. sales declined 25 percent through November. The Japanese automaker will halt production at its Normal, Illinois factory starting Feb. 16th to April 3rd.

The move will mark the longest production shutdown at the plant according to Dan Irvin, a spokesman for Mitsubishi North America who spoke with Automotive News.

The plant is responsible for building the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Galant and employs 1,568 employees including more than 1,200 hourly UAW represented workers. Mitsubishi will keep all employees on the payroll but will shift their duties to non-production work.

Mitsubishi’s CEO Osamu Masuko is considering killing production of the Galant at the companies Normal, Illinois plant. Instead he plans on producing small cars at the factory and is also considering moving production of the Lancer and Outlander crossover to the plant.

The plant has been running on low capacity for some time now. Last month, the Normal factory received a 4-year extension after Mitsubishi and the UAW signed a deal. Masuko is now working with analysts to figure out what model mix will be most profitable for the plant.

“To do the Galant again in the United States is not realistic,” Masuko told Automotive News.

He said that the most sensible thing for Mitsubishi to do is kill the sedan in midcycle and reintroduce it when it has a successor. The new 2009 Mitsubishi Galant was recently unveiled at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show in Feb.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)