Mitsubishi Motors to launch electric light truck

Mitsubishi is making an aggressive move into electric vehicles. Pictured is the PX-MiEV II concept, which is powered by a combination of hybrid systems. The drivetrain is expected to be in the next-generation Outlander.

Mitsubishi has begun development of an electric light truck it hopes to launch by April 2013, according to report in the Nikkei Japanese business daily.

The electric truck will be targeted at farmers, contractors and others who use light trucks for their work, the paper said.

Plans for an electric light truck designed for work duties highlight the variety of electrified vehicles Mitsubishi hopes to launch globally by 2016. A plug-in hybrid crossover, widely expected to be based on its Outlander crossover, is slated for sale in global markets by April 2013.

Mitsubishi is scheduled to begin retail deliveries of its first electric vehicle, the i minicar, to American customers next month. The car has been on sale in Japan since 2009, where it is known as the i-MiEV.

The electrified vehicles are part of Mitsubishi's plan to refashion itself as a global EV leader by launching eight electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles around the world by 2016.

It's unclear whether Mitsubishi's electric light truck will be available in the U.S. market. Mitsubishi officials have said it's unlikely that the U.S. market will get all of the eight EVs or PHEVs the company plans to launch by 2016.

Mitsubishi Motors is looking to sell 42,000 electric vehicles worldwide in fiscal 2012, double the number projected for this fiscal year, the Nikkei said.

The company aims to keep the sales price of the electric truck after government subsidies at less than 1.5 million yen ($19,200), making it cheaper than its two existing electric vehicles, the newspaper said.

New Mitsubishi engine technologies boost fuel efficiency 12%

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is rolling out two new engine technologies that promise to boost fuel efficiency in the Outlander Sport and Lancer lineup by as much as 12 percent, the company said Thursday.

The first is a new engine with next-generation variable valve timing that improves combustion stability and reduces piston friction. The second is an improved engine idle-stop system that can be applied to cars with continuously variable transmissions.

The technologies will be introduced this month on the Outlander Sport small crossover, the Lancer sedan and Lancer Sportback -- all made in Japan. The improvements will be offered first for 1.8-liter engines in Japan before heading overseas or spreading to other displacements.

It is unclear when they will reach North America, where Mitsubishi offers only 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter engines in those models. Mitsubishi is studying deployment of the systems there.

The new engine, dubbed the 4J10, replaces the current 4B10 engine. It is a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve single overhead cam powerplant. The 4B10 has dual cam shafts.

When combined with the new idle-stop technology, the 4J10 delivers a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy over the previous engine, Mitsubishi said in a statement.

Mitsubishi is introducing the new technologies as it races to meet stricter emissions standards. The carmaker aims to improve its fleet’s fuel efficiency 25 percent by 2015, compared with the 2005 global average. That is a midterm benchmark on the path to its 2020 goal of halving emissions.

Turning to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is a key Mitsubishi strategy for meeting those targets. But the new engine technologies show the company also is channeling r&d money into developing greener internal combustion engines, which will remain the foundation of its fleet.

Mitsubishi’s new engine combines the company’s two existing valve-timing systems into one technology. Before, one system switched between different valve lifts and valve opening duration in relation to engine speed. The other system varied valve opening timing.

The new system uses one mechanism to control valve lift, opening duration and timing at the same time. That boosts efficiency by reducing pumping loss. And it can also be applied to an SOHC engine, thereby reducing engine weight and size by eliminating parts.

Mitsubishi already employs an engine idle-stop technology in some vehicles using manual transmissions for the European market. But the new system works with CVTs.

The technology saves fuel by turning off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically restarting it when the driver steps on the gas.

I have a 1998 Mitsubishi Magna, Auto, which has just started to judder under acceleration. The engine rev's fine, but I set off, the car judders, and lacks power. The problem stops after 15minutes, once everything is warm. Any idea's what it is?

Answer:

There are three things I would like for you to inspect first off. Ensure that the timing is correct and has not jumped, this will cause the judder you mention if it has jumped. Inspect the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. If you have clogged fuel lines and/or fuel filter it will cause a lack of power, especially at start up. Also inspect the vacuum lines and ensure they are free of any cracks, damage or loose connections.

1998 Mitsubishi Diamante ES with Check Engine Light. Code is P1400

I have a 1998 Mitsubishi Diamante ES with Check Engine Light. Code is P1400, no other codes. Replaced Manifold Pressure Sensor, cleared codes and re-tested. Light came back on. Check vacuum hoses, connections etc. All look good. Car does not pass following self test for emissions: heated o2 sensor, evap test, purge valve test, catalyst test. all these test show incomplete. Other tests pass. What could it be. Other possible tests and what does the code P1400 mean specifically for this car? Will include bonus if you can lead me to answer. Not a dead beat or negative feedback customer.

Answer:

That code is for DPFE circuit low input. The reason why the other monitors have not run, is because they are being blocked until the other repairs are made. So we need to check the passages for EGR to be cleaned and that the system is electrically working. It may be a defective computer as well or need to be re-flashed.

Where is the thermostat located on a 2001 Mitsubishi Spyder

Where is the thermostat located on a 2001 Mitsubishi Spyder GT 3.0 engine and can a Saturday mechanic replace one? Found the upper and lower hoses. Think the housing is at the end of the lower house on the engine, but not sure. It will probably be there because it is hard to get to.

Answer:

the thermostat will be located at the engine end of the upper hose at. They are a bit of work to replace but with a little time it should be doable.

check engine light came on and a mechanic read the code and it came up P1400

QUESTION: Recently my check engine light came on and a mechanic read the code and it came up P1400 which is the manifold differential pressure sensor circuit. I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant; does this need to be repaired by a Mitsubishi dealer or can I take it to any auto repair facility? ANSWER: P1400 is an MDP sensor. on turbo equipped engines a special sensor is used to measure manifold pressure (MDP=Manifold differential pressure)...or the difference between manifold pressure and barometric pressure. the engine controller has seen values outside of what is programmed normal and therefore set the code. manifold pressure sensing is critical to fuel management. if the sensor is remote mounted and has a hose going to it...check the hose for splits, holes, soft places that might collapse, kinks or anything else that might prevent the pressure signal from reaching the sensor. if it's not that simple...you may a have a failed sensor or engine controller. to sort that out you need to do some specific pinpoint testing using the trouble tree for that code plus a DVOM...at the very least. Most auto mechanics would probably just change the sensor and send you on your way, after charging you a hefty fee for the part. If it were my car I'd check for vacuum leaks everywhere, including all devices that use vacuum (especially the ones going to the sensor). While it could be a bad sensor just the same, I have a suspicion that the code is giving you a symptom and the real problem might be a vacuum leak or valve cover gasket, etc.

tried to connect with scan tool, no communication

Question: 1995 Mitsubishi eclipse gs-t tried to connect with scan tool, no communication. car has OBD2 port and am using a MAC taskmaster with the latest updates. Answer; In most cases when a scanner will not communicate, it is due to a blown fuse. It is usually the cigar lighter/radio fuse but not limited to. Check and replace any bad fuse and it should work.

Service engine light on 2000 Mitsubishi Galant

Question:

Service engine light on 2000 Mitsubishi Galant came on. I have a little under a 1/2 tank of gas. It suddenly started choking about 5 months ago periodically when i press the gas pedal then later that afternoon the check engine light came on. Already Tried: Clean the fuel line. Change oil. Put premium gas.

Answer:

The ONLY way to know why the check engine light came on and most likely the cause of your issue it to Extract the codes with a Scan Tool. This can be done for FREE at Autozone.