2006 Mitsubishi outlander technical highlights

Engine

The 2.4-liter SOHC four-cylinder engine (4G69) found in the 2005 Outlander utilizes advanced Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control (MIVEC) system technology to improve power output over a wide rpm range without sacrificing emissions or fuel economy in the process.

The MIVEC system features separate cam profiles for high and low engine speed modes, which translates to higher maximum power and increased usable torque in the widest variety of driving conditions. Under low-rev conditions, MIVEC selects the smaller cam profile, which provides stable combustion and lower emissions. But when the throttle is opened wide and engine speed increased, MIVEC allows the valves a longer duration and longer stroke, thus providing maximum and efficient power and torque over a broader range of engine speeds.

Variable Lift Technology

The enhanced power output of the MIVEC system is achieved by its ability to vary the lift and duration of the intake valves. In the MIVEC system, there are three distinct cam profiles that create two engine modes: a low-speed mode, consisting of low- and mid-lift cam profiles; and a high-speed mode. The low- and mid-lift cams and rocker arms - which drive separate intake valves - are positioned on either side of a centrally located high-lift cam. The high-lift cam is directly connected to a T-shaped lever, which controls valve lift and duration of both intake valves in the high engine-speed mode.

At lower engine speeds, the T-shaped levers connected to the high-lift cams reciprocate freely without contacting intake-valve rocker arms, thus allowing the low- and mid-lift cam lobes to control corresponding intake-valve lift and timing. The intake rocker arms contain internal pistons that are retained by springs in a lowered position at less than 3500 rpm, to avoid contacting the high-lift T-shaped levers. The benefit of the dual-profile low-speed mode is to induce swirl within the cylinder, which help create stable combustion and improve emissions.

The high-speed mode opens the valves longer due to its higher lift. At high engine speeds, the pistons within the rocker arms elevate when MIVEC sends increased oil pressure through an oil control valve. The high-lift cams' T-shaped levers are then able to directly contact the elevated rocker-arm pistons, overriding the low-speed cam lobes and fully controlling intake-valve lift and duration.

The 4G69 engine switches to a more aggressive cam profile at approximately 3500 rpm, when the powertrain control module opens the valves longer to increase the amount of intake airflow, resulting in higher engine output. More precisely, MIVEC switches to the higher cam profile at 3600 rpm as engine speed increases, and drops back to the lower cam profile at 3400 rpm as engine speed decreases; the output torque of the low- and high-speed modes overlap at those speeds. This also means that the cam switch operation is virtually transparent to the driver, who is simply rewarded with more power.

Engine Summary

Under low-rev conditions the low- and mid-lift cam lobes drive the intake valves, providing slightly better fuel economy and lower emissions. But when the throttle is wide open and engine speed increased, MIVEC gives the valves a longer duration and higher lift, thus providing maximum and efficient power and torque over a very broad range of engine speeds. Despite its technological complexity, the basic workings of the MIVEC engine system can be expressed quite simply: MIVEC alters the cam profiles, tailoring engine performance to suit your driving needs.

Another feature that contributes to the 2.4-liter engine's responsiveness is a high-velocity runner intake manifold with a cold-air induction system. Drawing air from above the radiator rather than from inside the hot engine compartment, the cold-air induction system allows a cooler, denser charge of air/fuel mixture to be fed to the cylinders. This combination produces a more complete and powerful combustion. The intake manifold runners are tuned for mid-range punch and contoured to increase airflow at both low and high engine speeds.

Also, counter-rotating balance shafts quell the low-speed rumble and high-rpm tremble inherent in large, powerful four-cylinder engines. An induction-hardened steel crankshaft insures stability for the reciprocating assembly. Thanks to a liquid-filled engine mount that isolates the engine from the chassis, the Outlander provides a refined driving experience rarely achieved in a four-cylinder SUV.

Transmission

Four-Speed Automatic with Sportronic(TM) Sequential Shifter

All Outlander's are available with a 4-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic(TM) mode that allows drivers to manually actuate gear changes. In standard Drive mode ("D") an INVECS-II program controls the shifting action to match the road conditions and the driver's accelerator movements. The INVECS-II computer calculates each driver's reaction and tailors the gearbox's reactions accordingly. When the lever is pushed to the right, into the Sports Mode gate, clutchless shifts can be manually actuated with just a push or tug of the shift lever.

Five-Speed Manual (Outlander LS)

The Mitsubishi Outlander offers a 5-speed manual transmission for the LS trim level. Like the transmission in the sporty Eclipse Coupe, double-cone synchronizers on first gear and triple-cone synchronizers on second gear help to ensure smooth gear transfers and ease of use. The optimally spaced gears help maximize the MIVEC motor's powerband. Reverse gear also is fitted with dual-cone synchronizers for easy gear engagement to eliminate gear grinding and help improve reliability. The transmission shifter features a fulcrum-action lever that reduces the range of motion needed to select a gear, providing a more positive feel.

Transfer Case

On all-wheel drive Outlanders, the center differential operates to regulate an equal torque split between front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions torque is split evenly between the front and rear wheels. When the system detects slip in any of the wheels, as may occur at high speeds while in the rain or on pavement, or when driving over dirt, sand or snow-covered surfaces, the VCU (Viscous Coupling Unit) automatically regulates torque split in proportion to the rotational speed differential between the front and rear wheels. This system manages the torque split between the wheels in such a way to deliver optimum traction in all conditions. The Outlander's transfer case design was tested in World Rally Championship competition with the Lancer Evolution series of vehicles.

Suspension

The Mitsubishi Outlander's dual nature as an urban cruising and gravel road SUV required engineers to design a suspension to cope effectively with both environments. Though similar to the Lancer's suspension design, the Outlander's suspension design is revised, upgraded and reinforced in numerous ways to achieve the optimum balance between ride quality, car-like handling, and ruggedness in both urban and light-off road environments.

Front Suspension

The Outlander's front wheels rely on a proven, rugged MacPherson strut arrangement to provide superior all-terrain performance with outstanding handling stability. The struts dampen road harshness with the help of a gas charged insert. By optimizing key suspension characteristics such as toe, camber and other alignment parameters, engineers are able to produce a flexible, responsive vehicle that is fun to drive. The Outlander chassis boasts a significantly reinforced steel front suspension cross member that helps increase suspension mounting point stiffness by 30 percent. Rugged, enlarged, lower control arms pivot from these reinforced mounting positions. The front suspension sway bar, which attaches to the suspension using ball joints and rubber stabilizer links, has been stiffened and its mounting points optimized to suppress body roll. Engineers paid careful attention to the selection of tuned coil springs to help strike a balance between stable, sporty handling and a compliant ride.

Rear Suspension

The Mitsubishi Outlander's rear suspension utilizes a sophisticated multi-link, trailing-arm design. This suspension design includes extended-length trailing arms, an elongated lower control arm, a stiff upper link and additional links that attach to the trailing arm to the unibody for improved lateral stability. Suspension component mounting points have been repositioned and alignment changes made to give this Outlander its unique handling characteristics and superior all-around performance. The Outlander's rear trailing arms are positioned wide to match the increased width of the front track. A reinforced, rear suspension cross member spans the mounting points, and helps inhibit rear deck flex. On AWD models, the rear differential is mounted to this cross member with vibration canceling mounts for a smoother ride.
Most of the rear suspension's mounting points rely on stable, friction-free pillow-ball style bushings for movement. This compact, long travel rear suspension system helps Outlander to offer superior all-weather handling and comfort, while maximizing the useful interior space.

Steering

Outlanders come equipped with either a leather or urethane-covered four-spoke, tilt steering wheel to help accommodate various shapes and sizes of driver. The steering column shaft is designed as a collapsible mechanism that helps absorb impact energy in the event of a collision. All Outlanders are equipped with power rack and pinion steering system.

Outlander P/S Gear Specifications

This power steering system is designed and tuned to be responsive to slight inputs on the steering wheel, making the vehicle a snap to maneuver in parking situations. In addition to the light effort gearing of the steering rack, the output and flow characteristics of the pump were also improved to meet more stringent driving demands with higher and more consistent fluid pressure. This easier, more car-like handling nature was a virtue designers sought to include in the Outlander.

Brakes, Wheels, & Tires

All Outlanders come equipped with hydraulic, ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes that are aided by a tandem brake booster system, which helps reduce pedal effort. In addition, larger diameter brake caliper pistons help increase the effectiveness of the brakes without an increase in pedal effort. This system is designed to help ensure ample, stable braking power for the Outlander in all conditions, including deceleration from high speeds. The security of 4-channel ABS is standard in 2006, and includes an EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) system that increases control and safety under heavy braking.

Outlander Brake Specifications

Outlander Wheels and Tires

Two distinct wheels are available on the 2006 Outlander. The base LS arrives with a 16" x 6" JJ steel wheel with an attractive wheel cover wrapped in a P225/60R16 all season, radial tire. For 2006, the SE and Limited ride on attractive 17-inch alloy wheels. The SE wheels have a distinct bright finish. The Outlander's 17-inch wheels wear P215/55R17 all-season rubber.

Unibody and Safety

Building upon basic elements of the Lancer sedan platform, the 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander relies upon a thoughtfully designed steel skeleton to provide high levels of chassis rigidity and safety. The Outlander's all steel unibody is welded together using the most modern methods, such as MASH seam welding and Mitsubishi's RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) design. The resultant steel structure, with its carefully layered pressed metal panels joined by controlled welds, creates a structure that surrounds passengers in a highly impact absorbent front and rear structure. The center of the cabin is a highly rigid compartment designed to offer occupants maximum protection in the event of a collision.

Examples of Unibody Enhancement for Superior Rigidity and Handling

The Outlander's rear hatch aperture is constructed using a skeleton of pressed-sheetmetal pieces strategically joined to create a continuously welded structure. By increasing the thickness of the metal and the amount of overlap at the welded unions, the entire rear hatch opening assembly helps yield a superior level of torsional rigidity for the rear section of the Outlander body. This reduction in unibody flex contributes to the Outlander's stable handling characteristics, making the suspension, and not the unibody, adapt to road conditions.\

Thoughtful Design Refines a Platform

The Outlander's rear suspension spring mount is attached in a low, compact position. The lower profile position of the rear strut mount, and the elimination of a traditional, taller strut-tower structure, helps to increase vertical and horizontal rigidity for improve suspension action. A reinforced metal plate also was welded to the top of the rear strut mount to help further strengthen this suspension mounting point.

The enlarged profile of the upper frame rail combined with a closed section front deck increases the front-end rigidity and helps control front to rear and left to right flexural forces. In addition, the careful positioning of a bulkhead inside of the upper frame helps create highly responsive steering and a quieter, more refined ride.

Structurally-critical, stress-bearing components such as the center-pillar reinforcements, front sub-frame rails, and front-end cross members are constructed using MASH-seam welding techniques which fuse multiple sheets of thinner metal together to produce a more rigid structure.

Noise Vibration Harshness

In keeping with the concept of building a more refined entry-level SUV, the Outlander's designers incorporated several measures to limit the amount of vibration and noise that enters the cabin. Outlander's pillars have been filled with vibration canceling foam, and sound insulating pads have been carefully placed throughout the floorpan. The urethane foam used in the pillars and filler pads located in other structures is especially effective in canceling resonant road vibrations. The surfaces under the floorpan make extensive use of asphalt sheets to help further reduce detectable road noise in the cabin.

Warranty and Manufacturing

Mitsubishi cars and sport utility vehicles are backed by a comprehensive new vehicle limited warranty that covers the vehicle from bumper to bumper for five years/60,000 miles. In addition, the powertrain is covered by a 10-year/100,000 mile limited warranty, while body panels have a seven-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty. The program also includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance with free towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer for warranty-related repairs for five years/unlimited miles.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 570 dealers. 

# # #