Speaking at a press conference, MMC Chairman of the Board Takashi Nishioka commented, "With strong support from the Mitsubishi Group, Mitsubishi Motors is now in the middle of implementing the 3-year business plan that started in fiscal 2005. Under the plan, we are beefing up the management set-up of our U.S. operations and reviewing our sales policies and strategies here. We are now in a situation where we can project that fiscal 2006 will produce our first operating profit in four years. Together with all the other Mitsubishi Group companies, we are also working on environmental initiatives, using Mitsubishi Group resources to maximum effect. As part of that process, we are collaborating with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop a next generation diesel engine that will be launched in the North American market in 2010."

The project to develop a next generation diesel engine for the North American market will be based on the diesel engine that MMC is developing together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for European export models. The new engine incorporates a DPF + NOx trap catalyst to ensure compliance with U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions regulations that require NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions to be as low as similar emissions from petrol engines. It will also be compliant with the Japanese post-new long term emissions regulations. Features of this engine will include a lightweight aluminium block, a common rail system with piezo injectors to provide good responsiveness and a VG/VD turbocharger with boost pressure controllable over a particularly wide range by combining a variable geometry (VG) that enables turbine flow to be varied, with a variable diffuser (VD) that enables compressor flow to be varied. This combination of features will produce an engine that is both very powerful and efficient.

MMC and MMNA are displaying the world premieres for the new North American Lancer, Prototype X concept show car, together with the new Outlander which was launched in October 2006, and the Raider pick-up, winner of the 2006 Baja 1000 (Stock Mini class), at the Detroit Motor Show.

1. New North American market Mitsubishi Lancer walkaround

• The new Lancer inherits the image of the Mitsubishi Concept-X presented at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, combining a stable stance with a clear-cut and determined form.
• Body specifications are larger all round, with a length of 4,570mm (35 mm longer than the current model), width of 1,760 mm (65 mm wider), height of 1,490 mm (60 mm higher) and a wheelbase of 2,635 mm (35 mm longer), an appropriate size for the new Lancer's role as a global sedan.
• The new generation platform first utilised by the Outlander on-road SUV is also the base for the new Lancer, providing particularly good collision safety and rigidity.
• High performance, high fuel economy and excellent emissions performance are provided by an aluminium block 2.0 litre 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC*¹ engine.
• Power is transmitted through a CVT*², with six-speed Sportronic^® mode — available for the first time in a Mitsubishi in the North American market — and, on some grades, with paddle shifters that allow the driver to shift gears manually without taking theirs hands off the wheel.

2. Mitsubishi Prototype X concept walkaround

• A design study for the new Lancer Evolution X due to be launched in Japan in late 2007. Based on the new Lancer launched at Detroit, the Prototype X concept features an exterior with a Spartan 'driver's car' image, and a highly functional, high-quality interior that encourages concentration on driving. Overall, the design aims for a clear-cut and determined form that is consistent with function.
• Mechanically, in addition to the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC)*³ all wheel control system built around a 4WD system, the concept features a newly-developed aluminium block MIVEC turbo engine mated to a high performance six-speed automated manual transmission. There are also many other examples of the latest technology from Mitsubishi Motors, including the use of aluminium for parts of the body panels to save weight.

3. Next Generation Mitsubishi Diesel Engine outline

• The design for the new engine includes a lightweight aluminuim block, a common rail system with piezo injectors to provide good responsiveness, and a VG/VD turbocharger with boost pressure controllable over a particularly wide range by combining a variable geometry (VG) for variable turbine flow with a variable diffuser (VD) for variable compressor flow. This combination of features will result in a diesel engine that is both very powerful and efficient.
• The exhaust gas cleaning system is designed for compliance with both U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 and Japanese post-new long term emissions regulations, utilising combustion control technology to reduce NOx, together with a DPF + NOx trap catalyst to clean NOx from the exhaust and reduce emissions.

4. Mitsubishi Motors lineup at 2007 Detroit Motor Show