Mitsubishi unveils Outlander and Prototype-x

Mitsubishi finally unveils the Motors European market Outlander SUV and Prototype-X 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Read my previous post here.

The company is displaying a total of 10 exhibits (16 during the general public session) at the show which runs from March 6 through 18 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex. It opens to the general public on March 8.

So what's different about the European market Outlander?

For a start, the on-road SUV comes with a choice of three engines : 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel and a 2.4-liter Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control (MIVEC). Mitsubishi Motors' own variable valve lift (VVL) system.

It has the split tailgate and auto-folding function for the second row seats and Hide&Seat™" retractable third row.

It also includes a new front grille with the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt Fuji-motif plinth (Mitsubishi brand design identity in the European market), as well as Euro-specific chassis tuning.

With the European launch, the Outlander is now on sale in all the world's major auto markets.

As for the Prototype-X concept. It is a design study for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched during the 2007 fiscal year.

Mechanical features include, Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control, the Vehicle dynamics system that integrates control of drive torque, braking, steering and suspension at all four wheels (S-AWC) built around a 4WD driveline; a new aluminum block MIVEC turbocharged engine mated to a high-performance six-speed automated manual transmission; and the use of aluminum in some body panels to reduce body weight.

Source of contaminated fuel

If you recall, I wrote a post on contaminated petrol in the UK on Friday, March 02. Well they have finally found out that there was indeed a contamination. It sounds stupid but silicon meant for diesel fuel was added into the unleaded petrol. This occurred in four tanks at a terminal in West Thurrock, east of London, owned by Dutch company Vopak. Harvest Energy shares the facilities with Greenergy, which supplies both Tesco and Morrisons. Asda buys fuel from Harvest Energy.

The problem arose because when the unleaded petrol containing silicon burned, it formed a thin layer of silicon-dioxide on the sensor, which controlled the fuel - air mix. I can see that the immediate result is an increase in the fuel prices overnight.