Mitsubishi's honored engineering prowess assisted by a smoother ride from Dunlop and Yokohama
Tires from Yokohama and Dunlop are hitting the ground running as critical factory fitments on two Mitsubishi models being celebrated for their technological innovations.
Coming as standard equipment on the on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the automaker’s advanced Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system has been tagged as the “Best New Technology” for 2009 by the independent Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
And where the rubber hits the road, you’ll find ultra-high-performance Yokohama A13C tires in size 245/40R18 mounted on either Enkei cast aluminum or BBS forged aluminum alloy wheels, depending on the model level.
Mitsubishi’s S-AWC system was chosen to be honored from a list of seven entries by a panel of AJAC members with specific technical qualifications who regularly report on industry engineering and technical trends for north-of-the-border publications.
“The AJAC Best New Technology award was established to allow a group of technical writers to identify new and innovative technologies of significant benefit to the consumer,” explains awards committee chairman Richard Russell. “The significance of the Best New Technology award has been growing steadily over the past few years as has the degree of rigor to which entries are submitted.”
S-AWC is not just another all-wheel drive system, according to Mitsubishi, but rather it’s an “advanced vehicle dynamics control system that reads and reflects driver intent in real time.” It regulates drive torque at each wheel by controlling a network of dynamic handling technologies, including Active Center Differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential, Active Stability Control (ASC) and Sport ABS brakes.
The ACD uses an electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch to vary the front/rear distribution of torque up to a ratio of 50:50 during acceleration and deceleration to improve overall traction and cornering.
The AYC rear differential enables the electronic control of torque between the left and right rear wheels to assist cornering. It also limits the “yaw moment” acting on the vehicle as traction conditions change. The system additionally employs a helical-type limited-slip front differential that constantly biases torque to the wheel with more traction.
Mastered by the S-AWC system, ASC works in concert with Sport ABS to further control vehicle behavior by regulating torque transfer to each wheel through braking when necessary. It can be turned off for racing on the track. The entire system is enhanced by choosing one of three modes to match road surface conditions: Tarmac, gravel or snow. “When employed, these components allow for heightened safety and unparalleled driver control,” the company reports.
The Yokohama tires are standard equipment on all trim levels of the Lancer Evolution, more commonly called the EVO.
“The EVO brings together Mitsubishi’s rally-inspired technology and engineering in a series that went on sale in Japan 16 years ago,” says Jeff Carpenter, the tire maker’s director of OE sales and marketing. “In addition to the state-of-the-art tire technology used in the Yokohama tires, the EVO comes with a 291-hp 2-liter turbocharged and intercooled engine and (the recent award-winning) all-wheel-control dynamic handling system to regulate drive torque at each wheel,” he explains.
“We’re pleased that Mitsubishi has chosen Yokohama for this important new vehicle,” Carpenter continues. “The Lancer EVO is a performance icon.”
Dunlop’s ultra-high performance all-season SP Sport 2030 tires are affixed to Mitsubishi’s zero-emission urban transportation vehicle – the pure-electric i-MiEV, which has been named as one of the top three contenders in the prestigious World Green Car of the Year competition. (The other finalists are the Honda FCX Clarity and Toyota iQ.)
The i-MiEV was selected from an original list of more than 20 cars-by an international panel of 59 automotive journalists. The winner will be announced at the New York International Auto Show on April 9. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption and use of a major advanced power plant technology aimed specifically at increasing a vehicle’s environmental responsibility are all factors under consideration during the judging.
Scheduled to go on sale in the Japanese market this summer and currently undergoing U.S. testing with Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison, “the i-MiEV offers an intelligent combination of useful performance with small physical and carbon footprints, plus a roomy interior for four adults and a sensible range of upwards of 100 miles” provided by a lithium-ion battery pack consisting of 22 modules. Each of the modules has four cells that can be installed in either a vertical or transverse position under the i-MiEV’s floor.
The SP Sport 2030 tires feature JLB, which is Dunlop’s Jointless Bond Technology to help maintain the tire’s structural integrity while enabling a smooth ride at highway speeds. A triple tread radius presents a wider contact patch during cornering for better traction and control, with the performance further enhanced through a fine-tuned groove depth, the company says.
For more information, visit www.mmsa.com, www.yokohamatire.com and www.dunloptires.com.
