Beneath 69 - old MIVEC Resurrected

Since early 2000, there was no replacement or additional model in the valve-lifting MIVEC family. Most of the model that carries the word MIVEC only features the variable valve timing and there weren't any valve lifting. Clearly Mitsu spoilt their rep by naming all of their new line pussy engine with the MIVEC name but without the mighty cam engaging feature. They should have came with another abbreviations instead of MIVEC. Maybe something like MVVT (Mitsubishi Variable Valve Timing) or MCVT (Mitsubishi Continuos Valve Timing) or p-MIVEC (pussy-Mitsubishi Innovative Variable bla bla thingy). So, after so many years, Mitsu came out with a new 2.4 litre, four-cylinder, SOHC engine which utilized the old MIVEC feature. Even though this engine is far from being considered a woww and more to an auwww, this could be an early step for Mitsu to get their ass back to produce more cam engaging engine like they used to before. Enter the 4G69.

Cam profiles switching occurs at an engine speed of 3500 min (the speed at which the torque curve yielded by the low-speed-mode cams intersects with the torque curve yielded by the high-speed-mode cam). The 4G69 large-displacement four-cylinder engine has a long-stroke design for compactness. With this design, valve-diameter size is limited as imposed by the bore. This flawed actually will make the flow velocity of the intake air is extremely high. When combined with MIVEC extra lift feature, this will create a strong scavenging effect thus increasing air intake volume significantly. The result according to Mitsu is much better output than the previous high compression ratio of Mitsu's GDI engines.

This engine will never up to par with Honda's K20A nor the Toyota's 2ZZ-GE motors despite the massive displacement it has. This engine (sadly) is more intended to use as global purpose which mainly will offer good driving capabilities, reduced fuel consumption and its quietness. We hope those white-coated people at the 3-diamond star will come out something spectacular incorporating the awesome valve-lifting MIVEC technology they had before. Imagine a 2.4L DOHC 16-valve MIVEC-MD engine with 6-speed close-ratio gearbox. Owhh, that would be freaking nice.

content was extracted from the technical datasheet of Mit 4G69