ZINGER - Mitsubishi Motors

In 2005, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) performed
the first full model change in eight years on the
FREECA, a vehicle with versatile passenger-carrying
and commercial capabilities that have made it popular
in Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Vietnam,
and other countries. For the full model change, MMC
evolved the FREECA concept of meeting diverse passenger-carrying
and commercial needs. The resulting
new model, which is named the ZINGER, was launched
in Taiwan by China Motor Corporation (CMC) in
December 2005.
1. Targets
In Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia, there is great
demand for multipurpose vehicles that can meet commercial
needs and passenger-carrying/leisure needs.
Consequently, MMC developed the ZINGER in line with
a concept that’s summed up by the phrase “MICS-RV”
(Fig. 1).
The letters of the concept phrase have the following
meanings:
• M: Multi-purpose
• I : Interior roominess and riding comfort
• C: Compact body size
• S: Sophisticated styling
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Fig. 1 Concept key word
ZINGER
• R: Rough-road running capability
• V: Value for money and affordable price
In addition to reflecting each element of the concept
phrase in the ZINGER, MMC provided the ZINGER with
many storage spaces with a view to pursuing superior
convenience (Fig. 2). MMC also sought to expand the
versatility for commercial and passenger-carrying
needs by specifying extensively rearrangeable seats
including front and rear seats that can be folded fully
flat and a rear seat that can be slide-adjusted.
2. Features
2.1 Exterior design
For international acceptability, the ZINGER has progressive
styling that marries the utility of a commercial
vehicle, the toughness of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV),
and the luxury of a minivan by well-balanced proportions
that appeal to users whose priorities are as diverse
as family transportation and sporty driving. The
strength of the Mitsubishi sports DNA that the ZINGER
inherits can be seen in the front face that features large,
stylish headlamps and in the side view in which sportiness
and toughness of SUV are expressed by a wedgestyle
belt line and by flare garnishes that emphasize
large-diameter wheels. At the rear of the body, the tail
lamps have a passenger-car-style horizontal design that
combines with a tailgate garnish to convey a sense of
stability. At the same time, front and rear underguard
garnishes emphasize a sense of SUV taste.
2.2 Interior design
The original exterior design is complemented by an
interior design with futuristic relaxing wavy lines, fresh
coloring and textures brought together in way to express
quality and utility. The meters have bright blue illumination
that gives them a futuristic look, and the steering
wheel and floor console have silver-colored accents that

Secret tray
(ex; Coin, Pocket tissue)
Big pocket
(LH: Plastic bottle & ashtray
RH: Utility box)
Gate lamp
Plastic bottle holder
Room lamp
Removable ashtray
Map lamp
add a taste of sportiness. The instrument panel and door
trim have two-tone coloring whose contrasting colors
help to create a sense of openness and refinement. The
air conditioner switch panel has large, colorful, easy-touse
knobs, and the audio panel is distinguished by a
wood-grain finish that adds a taste of high quality. The
trim coloring for high grades is maroon and beige (a
combination that conveys a sense of high quality). The
trim coloring for standard grades is blue and grey (a combination
that conveys a sense of youthful sportiness).
2.3 Packaging
The ZINGER’s overall length, overall width, overall
height are similar to those of the previous model, so the
ZINGER combines the high maneuverability of the previous
model with a class-leading interior roominess.
Notably, the ZINGER surpasses the previous model by
225 mm in terms of interior length and by 40 mm in
terms of interior width. At the same time, a longer
wheelbase and wider treads promise high level performance
of handling stability and ride comfort.
The seats have large dimensions that promote relaxation.
Together with ample head clearance, they help a
comfortable environment for the driver and passengers.
Utility box
(ex; Handy phone)
Sunglass holder
Cup or bottle
holder x 1
Door pocket
(ex; A4-sized map)
Console box
Fig. 2 Multi purpose: Utility
Cup holder x 1
(ex; CD x 12)
Cup holder x 2
(ex; PET bottle)
Upper box (ex; CD x 5)
Glove box
Convenience hook
(Pass. side)
2DIN space for audio
(1DIN audio + 1DIN box
or 2DIN audio)
(ex; A4-sized map)
Seat back pocket
(ex; A4-sized map)
2.4 Performance
2.4.1 Powertrain
Whereas the previous model had a 2.0-liter MPI
gasoline engine, the ZINGER has a 2.4-liter engine
whose larger displacement permits superior running
performance. For transmission an electronically controlled
four-speed automatic transmission is combined.
2.4.2 Handling stability and ride comfort
A newly designed high-rigidity chassis frame, front
double-wishbone suspension, and rear three-link coilspring
suspension (an improvement over the previous
model’s rear leaf-spring suspension) achieve a superior
SUV-level combination of handling stability and ride comfort.
Whereas the previous model was lacking in terms of
ride comfort, the ZINGER’s ride comfort is improved not
only by the newly specified rear three-link coil-spring suspension
but also by passenger-car-type radial tires.
2.4.3 Quietness
The ZINGER is one of the quietest in the class.
To suppress noise and vibration, the ZINGER adopts
high-rigidity chassis frame, a high-rigidity body, double
door seals, spherical joints in the exhaust system, optimally
positioned silencer and insulator and foam filler.
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2.4.4 Body and steering-wheel vibration
Vibration in the body and steering wheel is suppressed
not only by the high-rigidity chassis frame but
also by superior rigidity in the joints of the deck crossmembers
and by optimal tuning of the rubber components
used to mount the body on the frame.
2.4.5 Crashworthiness
In line with MMC’s crashworthiness policy, the
ZINGER’s body is based on MMC’s Reinforced Impact
Safety Evolution (RISE) body structure. Even for markets
where high crashworthiness is not legally required,
the ZINGER satisfies European requirements including
those for occupant protection in a 64 km/h impact with
an offset deformable barrier. High hip points for the
seats (more than 700 mm from the ground) make the
ZINGER exempt from side-impact requirements.
Nevertheless, in line with MMC’s collision-safety policy,
the ZINGER offers side-impact safety corresponding to
the demands of relevant regulations. Pretensioner- and
force-limiter-equipped seatbelts are used in airbagequipped
model of the ZINGER. Also, the steering column
has a structure that prevents steering shaft from
protruding into the cabin in the event of a collision.
2.4.6 Rough-road performance
Whereas passenger cars and minivans typically have
minimum ground clearance of 150 – 160 mm, the ZINGER
has minimum ground clearance of 180 mm for superior
driveability on rough, flooded, and otherwise difficult road
surfaces. Large approach and departure angles further
promote the ZINGER’s driveability in difficult conditions.
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2.4.7 Corrosion resistance and environmental compatibility
In line with MMC’s strategy on corrosion resistance
and environmental compatibility, the ZINGER has superior
corrosion resistance that promotes durability and
reliability. In addition, none of the ZINGER’s components
contains environmentally harmful substances.
2.4.8 Equipment
To meet commercial, passenger-carrying, and recreational
needs, the ZINGER has passenger-car-level
equipment specifications. Highlight equipment items
are as follows:
• Powered driver’s seat (P and X lines)
• Leather seat upholstery (H, P, and X lines)
• Sunroof (P and X lines)
• Driver and front-passenger airbags (X line)
(Pretensioner- and force-limiter-equipped seatbelts
are fitted together with the airbags.)
• High-intensity discharge headlamps (X line)
• Automatic air conditioner (P and X lines)
• Electronic Time & Alarm Control System (ETACS)*
(all lines)
(The ETACS realizes diverse driver-oriented functions
that can be customized using a Multi-Use Tester. It
also has comprehensive diagnosis functions.)
3. Major specifications
Major specifications of the ZINGER are shown in the
following table.

Model
ZINGER
Specifications 5 M/T
M H
4 A/T
P X
Overall length (mm) 4,585
Overall width (mm) 1,760 1,775
Overall height (mm) 1,800 1,805
Overhang
Front
Rear
(mm)
(mm)
800
1,065
Dimensions
Wheel base
Tread
Front
Rear
(mm)
(mm)
(mm)
2,720
1,505
1,500
Seating capacity (persons) 5
Min. ground clearance (mm) 180
Min. turning radius (m) 5.3
Vehicle weight (kg) 1,640 1,660 1,720 1,725
Model 4G64
Valve system SOHC 16 valve
Displacement 2,351
Bore and stroke 86.5 x 100
Engine
Compression ratio
Fuel supply system
9.0 : 1
MPI
Max. output {kW (PS) /min –1 } 93.5 (127) /5,250
Max. torque {Nm (kg·m) /min –1 } 193 (19.7) /4,000
Fuel tank capacity (L) 65
Emission control Unleaded (RON ^ 91)
1st 3.967
2nd 2.136
3rd 1.360 2.826
Transmission Gear ratio 4th 1.000 1.493
5th 0.856 1.000
Reverse 3.578 0.730
Final 4.222 4.636
Suspension
Front
Rear
(mm)
(mm)
Double wishbone, coil spring, with stabilizer
Rigid 3-link coil spring, with stabilizer
Drivetrain
Brake
Steering
Front
Rear
(mm)
(mm)
15-inch ventilated disc
Leading trading drum
Rack & pinion
Tires 205/70R15 225/60R16
Wheels 15-inch steel/full cover 15-inch alloy 16-inch alloy
Spare tire Ground tire/steel Ground tire/alloy
(RV2 Product Development Project, Product Development Group Headquarters: Watabe, Hazama, Kuzuoka, Akita, Yoshioka, Sakai, Kimura)
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