Mitsubishi Targets "Super" Growth for All-Wheel Drive

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. expects sales of vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive—including the company’s super-all-wheel-control system (S-AWC)— to climb from 42% across its global lineup to 60% over the next decade.

The increase will be fueled by the continued growth of the crossover/SUV segment, Kaoru Sawase, chief technology engineer for Mitsubishi’s EV powertrain engineering division, tells WardsAuto. He also predicts more awd installations in China, where the technology is just beginning to make inroads.

In addition to its own models, Mitsubishi is in talks to supply awd to Nissan Motor Co.’s e-Power line of series-hybrid vehicles. Nissan owns a controlling 34% stake in MMC and is the company’s largest development partner.

Mitsubishi displayed a three-motor awd system in the Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept car at the Geneva auto show in February. But that technology isn’t expected to be ready for at least five years.

Mitsubishi introduced the single-motor S-AWC system a decade ago in the Lancer Evolution. The technology adds stability control and predictive handling to traditional awd traction capabilities. Torque is distributed between all four wheels as needed through an electronically controlled coupler and “clever” brake activation, Sawase says.