Detroit Auto Show: Mitsubishi will build small diesel by 2010

Just before he introduced the new 2008 Lancer, Mitsubishi chairman Takashi Nishioka announced that the company is working on a new 4-cylinder diesel engine for its C-segment vehicles. The engine will be developed with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which has an extensive inventory of diesel engines for a variety of heavy- and light-duty industrial applications. Many of the engines already meet European emissions standards. To be legal in the U.S., the engine will have to meet Tier 2, Bin 5 standards. Nishioka said the engines will be available for 2010 model year in the Lancer sedan and Outlander CUV. No other details were available but Mitsubishi is the latest company to announce upcoming diesel products. Honda and Nissan are also on record with plans.