Mitsubishi has played around with a bunch of different ways to get power to the wheels over the years. It’s not just about the standard manual or automatic. They’ve had some pretty unique ideas, like the Super Shift with its extra levers, or the quick-shifting SMG and TC-SST transmissions. This article takes a look at what made these Mitsubishi gearbox options special, from the old school to the more advanced tech.
Key Takeaways
- Mitsubishi’s Super Shift system, found in models like the Colt in the early 80s, offered eight forward gears using two separate levers for ‘Power’ and ‘Economy’ settings, aiming to improve fuel efficiency but was often confusing for drivers.
- The Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) is essentially an automatic transmission that lets the driver choose gears manually, often via paddle shifters or the gear lever, without a clutch pedal, offering faster shifts than traditional manuals but a different feel.
- Mitsubishi’s Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) is a dual-clutch system that allows for very fast, smooth gear changes by pre-selecting the next gear, offering both automatic and manual modes with different driving settings like Normal, Sport, and S-Sport.
- The TC-SST integrates with vehicle dynamics, using sensors to select the optimal gear for cornering and driving conditions, and offers manual control through paddle shifters or the console shifter.
- While advanced transmissions get a lot of attention, Mitsubishi still offers modern manual gearboxes in performance models, designed for higher torque capacity and a direct driving experience.
Exploring Mitsubishi’s Unique Gearbox Innovations
Mitsubishi has a history of playing around with how we shift gears, sometimes in ways that really make you scratch your head. They weren’t always content with the standard setup, and that led to some pretty interesting, if not always practical, transmissions. It’s like they were always asking, ‘What if we tried this?’ and sometimes the answer was a resounding ‘Why not?’
The Evolution of Mitsubishi Gearbox Technology
Think about how cars used to be. Gearboxes were simpler, sure, but also less refined. Mitsubishi, especially in the earlier days, seemed to be on a mission to push the boundaries. They looked at existing designs and thought, ‘How can we make this different?’ This often meant adding extra levers or rethinking how the driver interacted with the transmission. It wasn’t just about making cars go faster; it was about exploring new ways to control that power. This drive for innovation sometimes led to transmissions that were ahead of their time, and other times, just plain confusing.
Understanding Key Mitsubishi Gearbox Features
When you look back at Mitsubishi’s gearbox history, a few things stand out. You’ve got these systems that tried to give you more gears than seemed necessary, like the ‘Super Shift’ with its dual levers. Then there were the early attempts at automated manuals, which were a step towards what we see today with dual-clutch systems. These features weren’t just random additions; they were often attempts to improve fuel economy or offer a sportier feel, even if the execution wasn’t always perfect. It’s a mix of clever engineering and maybe a bit of overthinking.
Historical Context of Mitsubishi Gearbox Designs
Back in the 1980s, fuel economy was becoming a bigger deal, and manufacturers were looking for ways to squeeze more miles out of every gallon. This is where ideas like the Super Shift came from – trying to give drivers more control over their gear choices to save gas. At the same time, performance was also on people’s minds. So, you had these competing desires: efficiency and sportiness. Mitsubishi’s gearbox designs from this era reflect that tension, trying to offer solutions that could do a bit of both, even if it meant a more complicated driving experience. It was a different automotive world back then, and these gearboxes are a product of their time.
The Enigmatic Mitsubishi Super Shift
Back in the early 1980s, Mitsubishi tried something pretty wild with their ‘Super Shift’ gearbox. It wasn’t your typical manual. Imagine a regular four-speed manual, but then add a second lever. This second lever had two positions: ‘Power’ and ‘Economy’. So, what did this actually do? Well, instead of changing gears in the traditional sense, it essentially altered the final drive ratio. In ‘Power’ mode, you got a shorter, more responsive drive, good for getting up to speed. Switch to ‘Economy’ mode, and it gave you a taller final drive, making the gears longer for better cruising and, supposedly, better fuel economy. It was a bit like the splitter gears you find on big trucks, but applied to a small passenger car.
This system showed up on models like the 1981 Mitsubishi Colt (known internationally as the Mirage) and briefly on the Cordia. The Colt, with its front-wheel-drive setup and this Super Shift, managed some pretty decent fuel economy for its time, especially considering it was still using a carburetor. People often found it a bit confusing, though. Most folks just used the ‘Economy’ setting in fourth gear to get a higher top speed on the highway. It wasn’t exactly intuitive for the average driver, and by the mid-80s, Mitsubishi moved on from it. It was a unique experiment, for sure, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a car with this twin-stick setup today.
The Super Shift system was an interesting, if somewhat complicated, attempt to give drivers more control over their car’s gearing for different situations, aiming for a balance between performance and fuel efficiency that was ahead of its time for many mainstream vehicles.
| Model Year | Featured Model | Transmission Type | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Mitsubishi Colt | 4-Speed Manual + Super Shift | Dual Gear Levers (Power/Economy) |
| ~1982 | Mitsubishi Cordia | 4-Speed Manual + Super Shift | Dual Gear Levers (Power/Economy) |
Mitsubishi’s Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG)
Mitsubishi’s foray into the world of Sequential Manual Gearboxes, often abbreviated as SMG, represented an interesting middle ground between traditional manual transmissions and fully automatic systems. The core idea was to offer the engagement of a manual with the convenience of automated shifting. This meant you got a clutch, but it was managed by the car’s computer, not your left foot. You could typically choose between a fully automatic mode or a manual mode where you’d initiate shifts yourself, usually via paddle shifters on the steering wheel or by nudging the gear lever. It was a way to get quicker shifts than a typical driver could manage, and it certainly felt different from a standard automatic.
The Functionality of SMG Transmissions
At its heart, an SMG is a manual gearbox that has been automated. Instead of a driver operating the clutch and selecting gears, electronic and hydraulic actuators do the work. When you’re in manual mode, the car’s computer monitors your input – whether it’s a pull of a paddle or a nudge of the shifter – and then precisely operates the clutch and selects the next gear. This process is designed to be faster than a human could typically achieve, minimizing the interruption of power delivery during shifts. The system essentially takes the mechanical components of a manual transmission and adds a layer of electronic control to manage the engagement and disengagement of the clutch and the movement of the gear selectors.
Driver Experience with SMG Systems
Driving a car with an SMG transmission was a unique experience. For those accustomed to traditional manuals, the absence of a clutch pedal could feel a bit strange at first. You might even find yourself doing a sort of
The Advanced Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST)
Mitsubishi really went all out with the Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission, or TC-SST, as it’s more commonly known. This isn’t your grandpa’s automatic, that’s for sure. It’s essentially two manual transmissions working together, managed by a computer, to give you super-fast gear changes. Think of it like having two clutches: one handles the odd gears (1, 3, 5) and the other handles the even gears (2, 4, 6). When you shift, one clutch disengages while the other immediately engages. This means there’s almost no interruption in power delivery, making shifts feel incredibly quick and smooth.
TC-SST: A Dual-Clutch System Explained
The magic behind the TC-SST is its dual-clutch setup. It uses electro-hydraulic controls to manage two wet multi-plate clutches. One clutch is linked to the input shaft for odd-numbered gears, and the other is for the even-numbered gears. While one gear is engaged and power is being sent to the wheels, the transmission’s computer is already pre-selecting the next gear on the other input shaft. When it’s time to shift, the computer just swaps which clutch is engaged. This whole process happens in a fraction of a second, with the engine control module often
TC-SST: Performance and Control Features
The Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission, or TC-SST, really changes the game when it comes to how you interact with your Mitsubishi. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about how you get there. This system is designed to give you the best of both worlds: the engagement of a manual with the convenience of an automatic.
Paddle Shifters and Console Shifter Operation
You’ve got a couple of ways to tell the TC-SST what to do. There’s the familiar console shifter, which works much like a regular automatic with positions for Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. But when you want to take charge, you can slide it over to the manual slot. Then, pulling back on the shifter selects a higher gear, and pushing it forward drops you a gear. Alternatively, if you’re in Drive and decide you want to shift yourself, just grab one of the cool magnesium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Pulling either one instantly puts the transmission into manual mode, with the right paddle for upshifts and the left for downshifts. Once you’re in manual mode, the transmission won’t shift for you automatically, giving you full control.
TC-SST’s Integration with Vehicle Dynamics
This transmission isn’t just sitting there; it’s actively talking to the rest of the car. The transmission’s computer constantly checks things like engine speed, how much power is being sent, and even what the steering wheel is doing. It also syncs up with Mitsubishi’s Super-All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. What this means for you is that the TC-SST tries to pick the best gear for whatever situation you’re in, especially when you’re going around corners. It’s like having a co-pilot who knows the car inside and out.
Understanding TC-SST Shift Logic
The real magic of the TC-SST is how it shifts gears so quickly. It basically works like two separate manual transmissions, each with its own clutch. One clutch handles the odd-numbered gears (1, 3, 5), and the other handles the even-numbered gears (2, 4, 6). When you shift, one clutch disengages while the other engages almost instantly. This
Modern Manual Transmissions in Mitsubishi
Advancements in Mitsubishi Manual Gearboxes
While Mitsubishi has certainly explored some wilder transmission ideas over the years, they haven’t forgotten about the good old-fashioned manual. For performance models, especially the Lancer Evolution, the manual gearbox has seen some serious upgrades. Think about the 2008 Lancer Evolution GSR, for instance. It got a brand-new 5-speed manual, codenamed W5M6A. This wasn’t just a minor tweak; it was designed to handle more power, which is pretty important when you’re talking about a car like the Evo. They managed to pack in this higher torque capacity without making the transmission case any longer, which is a neat bit of engineering. It’s the kind of stuff that keeps the driving experience pure and engaging for enthusiasts.
Torque Capacity and Gearbox Dimensions
Let’s get a little more specific about that W5M6A transmission. To boost its torque handling, engineers had to get creative with the gear dimensions. They increased the width of the gear faces, but instead of just making the whole gearbox bigger, they found ways to keep it compact. One clever trick was how they handled the Reverse gear. Instead of a separate gear, it’s actually created by meshing the 1st and 3rd gears together, with some fancy synchronization to make it work smoothly. This helped keep the overall length down. Also, the synchros got an upgrade. The older versions had single synchros on the higher gears, but this new one added double synchros on 4th and 5th. This makes them tougher, especially for track use where you’re shifting a lot at higher speeds. They even tweaked the shifter cable routing to make shifts feel smoother and reduce friction, thanks to changes in the engine and exhaust layout.
The Role of Manual Transmissions in Performance Models
Even with all the advanced automatic and dual-clutch options out there, the manual transmission still holds a special place, particularly in Mitsubishi’s performance lineup. For many drivers, there’s just a certain connection you get with a manual that you can’t replicate. It’s about being in complete control, feeling every shift, and being an active participant in the driving process. While the TC-SST offers incredible speed and convenience, the manual gearbox provides a raw, unfiltered experience. It’s a choice that speaks to a driver’s passion for the mechanical aspect of driving. For those who truly love to drive, the manual transmission remains the ultimate choice for engagement and feedback.
Mitsubishi’s approach to manual transmissions in performance cars shows a commitment to the enthusiast driver. They’ve focused on strengthening components and refining the shifting feel, proving that the traditional manual gearbox still has a vital role to play, even in the face of increasingly sophisticated automated systems. It’s about offering a choice that caters to different driving preferences and priorities.
Wrapping It Up
So, Mitsubishi really played around with how we shift gears, huh? From the wild Super Shift that gave you eight speeds with two levers – which, let’s be honest, sounds like a lot to keep track of – to the slicker, race-car-inspired sequential boxes and the fancy TC-SST found in cars like the Lancer Evolution. It’s clear they weren’t afraid to try different things. While the Super Shift might be a bit of a forgotten oddity now, the ideas behind making shifting more responsive or offering more control definitely stuck around. It just goes to show that even with all the modern tech, the way a car connects you to the road through its gearbox is still a pretty big deal.