Mitsubishi WRC's Switch to Mobil 1 Delivers Instant Results
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FAIRFAX, Va.--Oct. 12, 2005--ExxonMobil announced today that Mitsubishi will use Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil in its Lancer WRC 05 for the remaining six rounds of this year's World Rally Championship (WRC).
Since its debut at the 2005 Rallye Monte-Carlo, January's season-opening event, the WRC 05 has undergone a constant evolution, the latest cycle focusing on engine performance and reliability. Supported by ExxonMobil engineers, the Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports team has used the latest generation of Mobil 1 and recorded increased power and reliability gains. The Mitsubishi WRC link-up is another chapter in a history of motorsport successes for ExxonMobil, which also develops the motor oil for Team McLaren Mercedes in Formula One.
"We would have to spend considerably more money developing and tuning engine components to deliver the same performance boost achieved by simply switching to Mobil 1," said Yasou Tanaka, Technical Director, Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports.
The Mitsubishi team first tested Mobil 1 in 2004, and recorded a power increase from their engine without changing any engine parts. The improved performance of the Lancer 05 WRC Rally car is in part due to a new engine for which the team tested a variety of Mobil 1 formulations. Supplying samples of rally-proven motor oils to ExxonMobil technicians for post-event analysis has allowed Mitsubishi to identify the optimum formulation of Mobil 1 for the WRC 05. The team requires a motor oil that delivers increased performance without affecting engine reliability - a key factor in 2005 with the introduction of a two-rally rule for engines (requiring a single engine to last two championship rounds).
"A technology partner like ExxonMobil is a vital component to any successful WRC team," said Isao Torii, Head of Motorsport, Mitsubishi Motors. "Our tests revealed Mobil 1 products deliver a performance and reliability boost in a variety of conditions and temperatures. Our cars perform better, for longer, using Mobil 1."
Mitsubishi continues to dominate the Group N classification category of the championship -- a series incorporated in the WRC championship for production-based road cars. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, currently occupying the top position of the championship, runs with Mobil 1.
"We are delighted to be involved with an innovative team like Mitsubishi," said Iain Stanley, motorsports marketing manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties. "Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sports is just one of the many teams to recognise the performance and reliability benefits from using Mobil 1."
Mobil 1 technology, as used in the WRC 05 cars, is available to all motorists through the range of Mobil 1 automotive lubricants.
ExxonMobil and Mobil 1 are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) or one of its affiliates.
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