The future of mitsubishi holds plenty of promise, with innovative and advanced technology that you can expect to see in their new models soon.
When you think of Mitsubishi, you think of trusty and reliable cars like the Lancer, which has served many generations of drivers. But did you know that the carmaker is also at the forefront of developing the futuristic automotive technology that you’ll find in the vehicles of tomorrow?
In fact, you can find these technologies in a Mitsubishi you buy today. Today’s models feature cutting-edge engineering such as MIVEC, INVECS, ETACS and RISE, and you can expect even more from the brand in the years ahead in terms of bold design and advanced technology, while it still retains its Mitsubishi identity to move and surprise its customers.
Enthusiasts will be familiar with MIVEC, or Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control. First introduced in the Mirage in 1992, this system aims to achieve higher power output, lower fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions through better control of the engine’s valve timing and amount of lift.
Mitsubishi has continually refined MIVEC through the years, and in 2005, it adopted a mechanism in the Outlander that continuously and optimally controls the intake and exhaust valve timing. This system is now found in every model currently available, ensuring that drivers enjoy more efficient and environmentally friendly performance.
INVECS, or Intelligent and Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System is an automatic transmission incorporating Advanced Shift Control (ASC) software. This is a clever solution that is able to adapt the transmission’s behaviour to most driving conditions.
Through advanced electronic programming, INVECS is able to learn your driving habits and respond accordingly by altering shift points. The result is a car that is tailored to your personal driving style and optimises your experience behind the wheel.
In terms of safety and convenience, Mitsubishi has also been working to incorporate technologies to further enhance these aspects for drivers. Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) is an engineering philosophy that has led to the design of a unit-body chassis that is extra fortified to withstand longitudinal impact. It incorporates energy-absorbing crumple zones and side-impact door beams at key body points that help protect occupants in extreme circumstances.
Looking to the future, Mitsubishi continues to innovate by developing new technologies for a more sustainable future. Its Outlander PHEV, for instance, is the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV. It is part of the carmaker’s effort to provide a sustainable solution to the future of motoring, with a focus on energy conservation without compromising on qualities such as comfort, safety and reliability.
PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle, and the system in the Outlander PHEV is able to let the car function as a pure Electric Vehicle, or EV mode, at low to medium speeds. In this mode, the car is able to travel up to a distance of 50km running on pure electric power alone, making it ideal for most urban driving situations.
At higher speeds, the engine starts up and assists the electric motor in driving the car, allowing it to operate even more efficiently. This process is done seamlessly and quietly in a manner that will be barely noticeable to the driver. The engine is also able to generate power for the electric motor when the energy in the drive battery gets low. In addition, when the vehicle is undergoing deceleration, it enters Regenerative Mode, which uses the electric motors as power generators to recharge the drive battery.
In this way, the PHEV system optimally controls each of the driving modes, offering the versatility to allow the car to drive as a 100 percent electric vehicle, use the engine to charge the drive battery, or drive using both the motors and engine at the same time, based on varying driving conditions.
As a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, the Outlander PHEV has batteries that can also be charged when you plug it into a regular power outlet at your home, and it can be fully recharged in about five hours via a 230V/10A electric power supply.
There is also a quick-charger option at commercial charging facilities that gives the Outlander PHEV’s batteries 80 percent of charge in just 30 minutes. Mitsubishi is also moving forward with its design identity, with the Dynamic Shield concept that can be seen on the new Outlander and Outlander PHEV, and will form a strong part of the design language of upcoming models and concepts alike.
Dynamic Shield expresses powerful performance and a reassuring sense of protection, and follows the philosophy of “Form Follows Function”, encapsulating the functionality of protection through its strong, dynamic look.
Mitsubishi’s cars of tomorrow will be highly efficient and technologically advanced, but still living up to its famed Japanese high quality and reliability standards. They will also be quiet, comfortable and versatile, while at the same time featuring a design philosophy that is strong and outstanding – qualities that define them now and in the future.
