Mitsubishi flex-fuel vehicle

According to a press release issued today, Mitsubishi Motors has launched a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) - the Pajero TR4 Flex in Brazil

It will be launched in July of this year in the Brazilian market by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and local production and sales company MMC Automotores do Brasil Ltda (MMCB).

Derived from the Pajero TR4, this is the first full-feature four-wheel drive flex-fuel vehicle (FFV). The use of different materials, modifications to the engine, and changes to the fuel system 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 redesigned parts of the fuel delivery system add toughness and dependability.

It was reported that the 2.0-liter 16-valve engine that powers the Pajero TR4 Flex delivers similar levels of performance on ethanol-heavy or gasoline-heavy fuel mixes.

The development of FFV is part of Mitsubishi's 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.