Mitsubishi Announces New 1.8-liter MIVEC Engine with Auto Stop & Go System

While there's not much going on in the product front for Mitsubishi, the Japanese automaker continues the development of new powertrains and their related technologies.

Today, Mitsubishi released the first details on its next generation 1.8-liter gasoline engine codenamed "4J10" that incorporates a new version of the company's MIVEC variable valve timing system as well as the introductions of a new Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) idle-stop technology.
The new 4J10 four-cylinder petrol with AS&G tech will make its debut in Japan this month on the domestic market RVR, Galant Fortis, Galant Fortis Sportback, followed later on by the international variants of the aforementioned models, the ASX/Outlander Sport, Lancer sedan and Lancer Sportback.
Mitsubishi says that with this combination, the three models show a 12 percent improvement in fuel efficiency in the Japanese 10-15 mode driving cycle.
One of the most important features of the new 1.8-liter engine is the latest iteration of the company's MIVEC system that continuously regulates intake valve lift, opening duration and timing.
Up until now, Mitsubishi employed two types of MIVEC systems - one that switches between different valve lifts and valve opening durations according to engine speed, and another (i.e. on the 4B10 engine) that varies the valve opening timing on a continuous basis. The new MIVEC does what the previous two systems could do separately, together and all the time.
In JDM specification, the 1.8-liter unit is rated at 139-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172Nm (126.9 lb-ft) at 4,200 rpm.
As for Mitsubishi's new Auto Stop & Go system, while the current version can only be used in combination of a manual gearbox, the latest variant has been developed for use on continuously variable transmissions (CVT) as well.

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Stephen King, Are you Listening? Mitsubishi Plans to Drop 1,000 MiEVs to Illinois Town

While some carmakers are trying to endorse pure-electric vehicles as being different and new, others like Mitsubishi are taking a different approach promoting them as the "new normal".

That's the name of Mitsubishi's latest marketing campaign, which will see the Japanese auto manufacturer flooding a quiet Midwest town called –wait for it- Normal with 1,000 MiEV electric cars.
In addition, Mitsubishi will help install a high-tech EV charging infrastructure comprising of 30 ultra-fast Level 3 quick charge "refueling" stations spread across the town.
"Normal EVTown is a community that is embracing new technology in an environmentally sound way," says Chris Koos, Mayor of Normal, Illinois. "It is a way of imagining the future and Normal is that future."
Before you pack your bags and head to find the Midwest town that is situated amid the cornfields of Illinois, learn that Mitsubishi won't be giving up the cars for free. Instead, it will make 1,000 out of a total of 15,000 units readily available to the town's residents who won't have to get in line (or so to speak…) to buy the MiEV.
What Mitsubishi avoids to say in the promotion is that the tiny pure-electric model will reach showrooms in November with a starting price of $27,990, which can drop by as much as $7,500 to $20,490 after government subsidies.

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