June 26, 2007 Mitsubishi is to launch the first full-feature four-wheel drive flex-fuel vehicle (FFV), onto the Brazilian market. The Pajero TR4 Flex will be launched in July and is derived from the Pajero TR4 currently assembled and sold in Brazil. The Pajero TR4 Flex features several modifications including the use of different materials, modifications to the engine, and changes to the fuel system that allow the vehicle to run on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. Modifications to the engine control unit allow for optimum combustion with any fuel mixture, and the 2.0-liter 16-valve engine delivers similar levels of performance on ethanol-heavy or gasoline-heavy fuel mixes.
Running on 100% gasoline it develops 98kW and 177Nm of torque; on 100% ethanol it develops 99kW and 186Nm of torque.
MMC is currently pushing forward development of FFV as part of its response to the global trend towards alternative fuel sources. The company is also currently working on a flex-fuel model it plans to bring into commercial production for the U.S. market in fiscal 2009.