Brazil: Mitsubishi launches Pajero TR4 Flex

Brazil: Mitsubishi launches Pajero TR4 Flex

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and local production and sales company MMC Automotores do Brasil (MMCB) have developed the first full-feature four-wheel drive flexible-fuel vehicle, the Pajero TR4 Flex, to be released in Brazil. Mitsubishi says that the vehicle will be launched in July.

The Pajero TR4 Flex, derived from the Pajero TR4 currently assembled and marketed by MMCB, boasts modifications to the engine and changes to the fuel system allowing the vehicle to operate on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. The company says that modifications to the engine control unit offer optimum combustion with any fuel mixture.

The Pajero TR4 Flex is powered by a 2.0-litre 16-valve engine which delivers 98kW (131hp) of power and 177Nm of torque on 100% gasoline and 99kW (133hp) of power and 186Nm of torque on 100% ethanol, the OEM states.

Mitsubishi is also developing a flex-fuel model which is scheduled for commercial production in the US market in fiscal 2009.

The Pajero TR4, originally launched in Japan as the Pajero iO in 1996 on the OEM's rear- or all-wheel drive 'FR' mini-vehicle platform, is still built at Mitsubishi's Okazaki plant as well as at the Brazilian facility at Catal??o in Goi??s state.

While the three-door versions of this small SUV were discontinued in September 2002, production of the remaining five-door versions should also end in Japan in a few months' time. A replacement vehicle is expected there in January 2008. In Brazil, however, assembly should continue well into 2009. The vehicle was last facelifted in June 2006.

Source: [url=http://www.automotiveworld.com/AEA/content.asp?contentid=61540]Automotive World[/url]