Mitsubishi RVR
Encyclopedia
The Mitsubishi RVR is Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...

 compact MPV
Compact MPV
A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...

 introduced in 1991, with the second generation released in 2002, and a compact crossover which was introduced in 2010.

The RVR was Mitsubishi's Recreational Vehicle debut during the Japanese economic boom. The cars were sold at the Mitsubishi Dealership chain called . RVR is an acronym for Recreation Vehicle Runner. In addition, the original logo had a Cyrillic Я on the first letter. It had a convenient size passenger cabin and spacious 4-5 person capacity with a youth-oriented approach. Television commercials in Japan used Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a animated character created in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions, later Warner Bros. Cartoons. Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray rabbit and is famous for his flippant, insouciant personality and his portrayal as a trickster. He has primarily appeared in animated cartoons, most...

 and Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny...

 as spokespeople. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VDild64kRU&feature=related It was also developed and released during Japan's "bubble economy
Japanese asset price bubble
The was an economic bubble in Japan from 1986 to 1991, in which real estate and stock prices were greatly inflated. The bubble's collapse lasted for more than a decade with stock prices initially bottoming in 2003, although they would descend even further amidst the global crisis in 2008. The...

", and had gained popularity due to its ease of use sliding door on the passenger side.

It was a tall wagon, off-road model that sought awareness towards "sports gear" or outdoor lifestyles to other companies, similar to an approach used for the introduction of the Honda City, allowing drivers to setting their own routes, and it had an especially good sales record in the beginning, even with the decline of the RV sales boom. Unfortunately due to declining sales, it was discontinued in August 2002.

The reintroduction of the "Sports Gear" RVR nameplate is an attempt to inherit the popularity of the first generation vehicle, and it was released in Japan on February 17, 2010. Gone is the rear sliding door, due to the current perception that SUVs have conventional doors, and sliding doors are typically installed on family vehicles. The RVR logo does not use the inverted Cyrillic Я on the first letter.

The trim level that is typically used is the grade name "Sports Gear", a move Mitsubishi is reintroducing, such as Airtrek and Grandis.

First generation (1991–1999)

The first RVR, introduced February 1991, is a compact MPV
Compact MPV
A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...

, manufactured between 1991 and 2002. It was known as the Mitsubishi Space Runner in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 and Mitsubishi Expo LRV in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, while export markets in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

 and Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...

 used the Japanese market name. The RVR was also sold by Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....

 as the Dodge/Plymouth Colt Wagon
Dodge Colt
The Dodge Colt and the similar Plymouth Champ and Plymouth Colt, were subcompact cars sold by Dodge and Plymouth from 1970 to 1994. They were captive imports from Mitsubishi Motors, initially twins of the rear-wheel drive Galant and Lancer families before shifting to the smaller front-wheel drive...

and Eagle Summit Wagon
Eagle Summit
The Eagle Summit was a subcompact car produced by Mitsubishi Motors from 1989 to 1996. It was sold as a captive import by the Jeep-Eagle sales division that was created after Chrysler Corporation purchased American Motors Corporation in 1987...

captive import
Captive import
Captive import is a marketing term and a strategy for an automobile part or entire vehicle that is foreign-built and sold under the name of an importer or by a domestic automaker through its own dealer distribution system....

s in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...

.

The Hyper Sports Gear R trim package in Japan used the drivetrain of the first Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was the range-topping version of Mitsubishi Motors' Galant model, available in the sixth , seventh and eighth generations of the vehicle...

; the 4G63T
Mitsubishi Sirius engine
The Mitsubishi Sirius or 4G6/4D6 engine is the name of one of Mitsubishi Motors' four series of inline 4 automobile engines, along with Astron, Orion, and Saturn. The 4G6 are gasoline engines, the 4D6 diesels.-4G61:...

2.0 L
Litre
pic|200px|right|thumb|One litre is equivalent to this cubeEach side is 10 cm1 litre water = 1 kilogram water The litre is a metric system unit of volume equal to 1 cubic decimetre , to 1,000 cubic centimetres , and to 1/1,000 cubic metre...

 16V DOHC turbo straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....

 mated to either a four-speed auto
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...

 or a five speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...

 which was not offered in North America. Open front and rear differentials were used on vehicles equipped with 4WD. Power output was rated at 170 kW. In Japan, the RVR saw competition from the Nissan Rasheen
Nissan Rasheen
The Nissan Rasheen is a small SUV with 4x4 produced from November 1994 to August 2000 by Nissan. A prototype was first shown at the October 1993 Tokyo Auto show. It was offered with three different engines: from the original 1.5 GA15DE, to a larger 1.8 liter SR18DE, and finally a 2.0 SR20DE in the...

, the Toyota RAV4
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV from Toyota. It was the first compact crossover SUV, introduced in Japan and Europe in 1994 and beginning sales in North America in 1996...

, the Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a compact suv, now called crossover, manufactured since 1995 by Honda. It was loosely derived from the Honda Civic to satisfy a public demand for a sport-utility vehicle from Honda. There are discrepancies as to what "CR-V" stands for, with Honda sources in different markets...

, the Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is an all-wheel drive crossover wagon manufactured since 1997 by Fuji Heavy Industries and sold under the Subaru brand...

, and the Suzuki Escudo
Suzuki Escudo
The Suzuki Escudo is an off-road vehicle that has been in production since 1988...

.
The RVR was essentially a second generation Mitsubishi Chariot
Mitsubishi Chariot
The Mitsubishi Chariot, is a five door, five/seven seat compact MPV produced by Mitsubishi Motors of Japan from 1983 to 2003. It was based on the SSW concept car first exhibited at the 23rd Tokyo Motor Show in 1979, and named for the battle chariots used during the times of the ancient Greek and...

 with a shortened chassis and sharing the components of the longer vehicle, with two rows of seats, and a tall wagon SUV equipped with a sliding door on the passenger side, similar to the Toyota Raum
Toyota Raum
The Toyota Raum is a small, five-seat mini MPV that first appeared in May 1997. The second generation was released in May 2003. It is currently sold only in Japan....

 and Nissan Prairie
Nissan Prairie
The second generation of the Prairie was introduced September 1988, and it was renamed the Nissan Axxess when sold in North America. The vehicle sold for six years in Canada, and in 1990 only in the United States....

. There was no door for the rear passengers behind the driver; only one sliding door was installed on the passenger side for all trim levels, and for all vehiches sold internationally. This was a different configuration from the larger Chariot in that the longer vehicle had conventional doors on both sides of the vehicle. Also, the Mitsubishi sliding door latched to a "B" pillar
Pillar (car)
Pillars are the vertical supports of the greenhouse of an automobile — known respectively as the A, B, C or D-pillar moving in profile view from the front to rear....

, whereas the Toyota and Nissan vehicles didn't. The rear windows didn't retract into the doors or body, instead they poped out at the back edge of the window. The rear windows on the longer Chariot did retract into the doors.

The fuel tank access door was installed on the right side for all versions sold internationally, however, for vehicles where the driver was on the left side, and the sliding door was on the right side, care needed to be taken to avoid opening the sliding door when fuel was being added to the fuel tank.

The standard installed fixed position rear bench seat arrangement could accommodate three persons and the seatbacks had a 50:50 split: the seat backs could be folded flat upon the seats, and then the seat cushion could be detached from the rear and folded up and forward towards the front seats, leaving a flat floor for large cargo items. The optional sliding bench rear seats could accommodate three people, with the setup allowing rear seat passengers additional leg room by sliding the entire rear seat assembly back. Depending on seating arrangements, the rear seats can then produce a large enough interior space by sliding the seats completely forward, then extending the seatbacks completely flat.

Originally installed with a naturally aspirated 2.0L/1.8L gasoline engine, it was later introduced with a diesel turbo engine model thereafter. The mid-model sports model with a detune type of turbo engine 4G63 is also carried on the Lancer Evolution its "X3" and "Super Sport Gear" and offered an optional sliding metal sunroof
Sunroof
An automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...

. Finally and most powerful model, "Hyper Sports Gear" was added in January 1997.

Hyper Sports Gear Engine is the same as the Lancer Evolution, Lancer Evolution high calling as a version of RV.

Due to platform sharing with the longer Chariot, and the benefit of development time, many of the mechanical components from past Galant contributions with new mechanism improvements, the RVR is basically reliable and robust. However, the individual is about 60,000 km Automatic Transmission capable, greet life with a plug cord about three years, would upset the sensors and around the throttle servo mechanism (such as not idling as symptoms appear), etc.

Automatic Transmission shift lock was mechanism instead of an electrical control, a unique method that deregulation was mechanically wire extending from the brake pedal. This was also the advantage of being unaffected by the battery.
  • History
    • February 1991 - released. Initially, three grades are available, 2WD models is "S", 4WD vehicles, "R" and "X" is set, and set the car 4AT or 5MT to grade any car.
    • June 1991 - The new 1.8L engine with a "Z" is added.
    • October 1992 - "Sports Gear" added. At the same time "Z" to add a diesel engine in 4WD vehicles.
    • May 1993 - "1.8Z" based on a 2WD car, roof rails, grille guard, special edition models equipped with keyless entry as standard "Z Special Version" released.
    • August 1993 - 3-door specifications adopted an open roof in the front seat electric "open gear" added.
    • January 1994 - "1.8Z" based on the 4WD models, the special edition models with standard roof rails and front sports seats and "Special Edition" released.
    • June 1994 - 2.0 "Open Gear" special edition models equipped with keyless entry and a grille guard on the base 2WD models "open gear limited" release.
    • September 1994 - minor. Add a 2.0L intercooled turbo engine, turbo intercooler diesel engine was. You can also change the shape of the headlights and front bumper, the car was designed almost from the RV. Lineup "X2" and the intercooler turbo engine with "X3", "sports gear" with wide fenders and turbo "Super Sport Gear", "open gear" with wide fenders and turbo "Super Open Gear" four grades newly added.
    • October 1994 - 2.0 "sports gear", based on specially designed vehicles equipped with private bars and stripes and large under guard "Wild gear 'sale.
    • May 1995 - some improvements. Diesel vehicles meet the emission control (vehicle type is "Y-" from "KD-" change), and changed some of the body color.
    • June 1995 - "2.0S" roof rail-based, special edition models such as the driver-side airbag-equipped version "S" on sale.
    • October 1995 - special edition models, "Wild Gear" was released again. Only added a large new front grille guard.
    • December 1995 - "1.8 Sport Gear" based on, roof rails, driver airbag, special edition models equipped with keyless entry, such as "Sports Gear Limited 1.8" release.
    • January 1996 - special edition models, "Sports Gear Limited 2.0" and "X3 Special" on sale. The former is a 2.0 "sports gear", based on aluminum wheels with a cassette deck. The latter "X3" is equipped with a spoiler and rear spoiler and front-side based.
    • May 1996 - some improvements. "Sports Gear" will be the only car 2.0L, the new "Sports gear Z" established. In addition, the driver airbag is standard on all models.
    • September 1996 - "Sports Gear" based on, roof rails, keyless entry, and other special edition models employing ABS "Field Express" released.
    • January 1997 - equipped with large-scale aero "Hyper Sports Gear Z" · "Hyper Sports gear R" added. At the same time, "Sports Gear", based on vehicle specifications and special features such as keyless entry ABS "sports gear V20" on sale.
    • July 1997 - "Open Gear" change the specification


Second generation (1997–2002)

The second generation was introduced in 1997. This generation assumed the Chariot name, supplanting the previous RVR name, and the longer previous generation Chariot was changed to the name "Chariot Grandis", while still being the shortened model and sharing the components for reuse. The Chariot is now number three in size, the RVR is the number of looks like a minivan at 5 "GDI RVR" and No. 3 in a crossover SUV "RVR Sports Gear" was divided into two forms. Mechanisms such as sliding doors and rear seat was a long slide that is characteristic of the predecessor remain. It was not sold in North America. In Europe, this car was restyled and sold as the Mitsubishi Space Runner.

The model offers a significant face lift, which was done to mirror the image design of the Chariot Grandis and its brisk sales in 1999 at the time. The new set of cars with rear sliding doors was often also requested. Sports cars were slightly higher and higher gear spare tire carrier, was out in front in the second generation in off-road color, the design load and then focused on "Sports Gear Aero" is set, the young aimed to develop a focus on a new audience.
Standard grades of "X" (later the "Exceed") and type of sport "sports gear" is classified into, the standard type "X" is a 1.8L gasoline engine, "Sports Gear" is a 2.4L GDI engine with a turbo engine or 2L 4G63. Vehicles installed with the 2.4 L. engine were liable for additional yearly tax charges in Japan due to the engine size exceeding the Japanese regulations concerning engine displacement. Furthermore, the high performance model "Sports Gear X3", came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with self-leveling xenon headlights, and the original seat had been a interwoven pattern image of hummingbirds.
  • History
    • November 1997 - Redesigned. Originally "RVR" is "X" · "X2" · "X2 Type S" 3 grades, "RVR Sports Gear" is "2.0X3" · "2.4X" · "2.4X2" was grade 3. In addition, the car 5MT "Sports Gear X3" was only.
    • June 2, 1998 - "X", based on electric retractable door mirrors door handles of the same color bodies, improve the appearance of the plated front grille employs a multi-or AM / FM cassette stereo radio + speaker + 4 equipped with a keyless entry system mode "X Limited" and "X2 (4-seater specification) based on the", "X Limited" AM / FM cassette stereo radio + speaker + 4 looks or equivalent, equipped with automatic air conditioning, etc. the "X2 Limited" is added.
    • January 13, 1999 - special seat cloth decorated in brown color, and produced a more upscale tone adopted mesh and aluminum wheels and woodgrain center panel, the Mitsubishi Multi-Communication System (MMCS), GDI ECO light , Automatic Climate Control, remote control electric retractable door mirrors, equipped with the highest grade and enhanced multi-mode keyless entry system, "Super Exceed" added.
    • February 26, 1999 - Luggage can be stored in boxes and tool capability fishing rod case, rod magnet stand, water-repellent seat cover, handy features with hazard lights, refrigerator temperature, equipped with a portable power sport fishing with a small light The specially equipped vehicles to enjoy a "fishing gear" released.
    • 12 May 1999 - "X2 limited" tilt & slide sunroof-based, voice guided navigation (MMCS), TV tuner, GDI ECO light, 15-inch alloy wheels, driver's seat armrests, roof rails as standard equipped special edition models "EXCEED SUNROOF limited" release.
    • October 4, 1999 - minor. "RVR Sports Gear" is finished in impressive on-road-oriented model sporty interior and exterior refurbished Aero type "Aero" added. Change the rear sliding doors, which also features a driver seat center armrest with GDI ECO light. In addition, the existing grade "X3" only well organized, the new grade, "Aero" is added to a conventional 2WD vehicle did not set. "RVR" system is a grade "X" · "Exceed", "Super Exceed" organized in three grades. "Exceed" and "Super Exceed" along with adopting the sliding doors, interior design has been changed out. In addition, the driver's seat center armrest with GDI ECO light (the latter an "X" itself) were standard. In line with the minor, and no set of 5MT.
    • July 3, 2000 - "Exceed", based on special edition models were priced $ 1,000 cheaper than the base model with standard MMCS "Navigation Limited" and "Aero Sport Gear" MMCS, based on headlamps, AM / FM full logic cassette radio, special edition models with reduced prices rise equipped with a six-speaker "Sports Gear Ltd. Aero Navi" released.
    • December 1, 2000 - Rear sliding doors, sliding door power lock active, 15-inch alloy wheels, multi-mode keyless entry system, power windows with one touch safety mechanism, privacy glass, while the enhanced features such as driver's seat armrest, non-special edition models were fitted navigation system to allow users to freely choose "Exceed L" on sale.
    • January 2003 - Discontinued.

Third generation (2010–present)

The third generation RVR is a compact crossover vehicle, first released in the Japanese domestic market on February 17, 2010. In Europe, Australia and Perú it is sold as the Mitsubishi ASX (an abbreviation of "Active Sports Crossover"),and as the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in the United States. In Canada it is sold as the Mitsubishi RVR, while in Puerto Rico it keeps both the ASX and Outlander Sport titles as well. It is based on the design of the Mitsubishi Concept-cX prototype first exhibited at the 62nd Frankfurt Motor Show in July 2007. It is a return to the original concept of offering the platform used for the longer Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Airtrek was first introduced to the Japanese market on June 20, 2001, priced from ¥1.7–2.3 million. It offered a choice of either a 4G63 2.0 L or a 4G64 2.4 L GDI, mated to a standard INVECS-II 4-speed semi-automatic transmission. Both front- and four-wheel drive were available...

 with reduced seating capacity to five people, while sharing components of the longer vehicle, demonstrating a corporate decision to return Mitsubishi to smaller, fuel efficient vehicles in favor of larger, truck-based products. It was also exhibited at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...

 in September the same year.
The Asian RVRs are powered by the 4B10 1.8 litre gasoline engine mated to an INVECS-III continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...

. North American, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

an, Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

, Malaysian, Philippine
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

 and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n vehicles will get the larger 4B11 2.0 L, while the European ASX will use a new 4A92 1.6 litre gasoline engine. In Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

 the 4N13
Mitsubishi 4N1 engine
The Mitsubishi 4N1 engine is a family of all-alloy four-cylinder diesel engines developed by Mitsubishi Motors, produced at the company's powertrain facility in Kyoto, Japan for use in Mitsubishi's small to mid-sized global passenger cars....

1.8 L direct-injection turbodiesel engine will be also be available as options. The whole range of petrol engines - 1.6L (117 hp), 1.8L (140 hp) and 2.0L (150 hp) will be offered in the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n and Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...

 market.

Mitsubishi has concentrated on emphasizing the RVR's fuel economy and low emissions, as part of the company's plan to reposition itself as a maker of smaller and more efficient cars, in contrast to its previous successes building large SUVs. The vehicle is both eligible for an eco-car tax reduction in Japan, and Euro-5
European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...

 compliant in Europe.

The European ASX was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, while the North American Outlander Sport/RVR was revealed at the 2010 New York International Auto Show
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...

. In North America, the Outlander Sport has a similar approach to the Subaru Outback Sport, known in Europe and Australia as the Subaru Impreza XV. It also is an alternative to the Nissan Juke and the Suzuki SX4
Suzuki SX4
The Suzuki SX4 is a compact car developed by Japanese automaker Suzuki and sold by Suzuki and by Fiat and produced since 2006.-History:...

.

External links

  • Feb 1991: RVR, Mitsubishi Motors Web Museum
  • Mitsubishi RVR specs, English.auto.vl.ru website
  • Review of 1993 Expo LRV at the Orlando Sentinel
    Orlando Sentinel
    The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. As of 2005, the Sentinel’s president and publisher was Kathleen Waltz; she announced her resignation in February 2008...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK