INVECS I-III is a smart transmission control system developed by Mitsubishi Motors for both classic automatic and CVT gearboxes. It can adapt to the driver’s style and also features clutchless manual gear shifting. This technology was first presented in 1992, and Mitsubishi Galant was the first car equipped with this system. The third generation of INVECS transmissions is now installed on current models.
How the INVECS I-III works
The first generation of INVECS was a complex system that adjusted the operation of the transmission, drivetrain, steering control, and suspension. It worked together with a conventional automatic gearbox equipped with a hydraulic torque converter and planetary gear sets.
In its second generation, the INVECS system was again paired with a conventional automatic gearbox, but with significantly expanded functions, such as the ability to adapt to individual driving styles and a manual mode with sequential-style shift changes.
The third generation of this system is designed to work with a stepless gearbox, which allows an extremely smooth gear ratio change and efficient use of engine power. Sport Mode for manual control has 6 simulated gears.
The gear lever is used for controlling INVECS I-III transmission in the manual mode, and some cars also feature paddle shifters.
Popular INVECS I-III transmissions
| INVECS generation | Debut year | Gearbox code | Transmission type | Number of gears | Max engine capacity, L | Car layout | Model applications |
| I | 1992 | F4A33 | Automatic with a torque converter | 4 | 3.0 | FWD | Mitsubishi Galant; Mitsubishi Diamante |
| W4A32 | Automatic with a torque converter | 4 | 3.0 | AWD | Mitsubishi Galant; Mitsubishi Diamante | ||
| II | 1994 | F4A42 | Automatic with a torque converter | 4 | 2.8 | FWD | Mitsubishi Carisma; Mitsubishi Galant; Mitsubishi Space Star; Mitsubishi Lancer |
| F5A5 | Automatic with a torque converter | 5 | 3.8 | FWD, AWD | Mitsubishi Galant; Mitsubishi Eclipse | ||
| III | 2000 | W1CJA (JF011E) | CVT | – | 2.5 | AWD | Mitsubishi ASX; Mitsubishi Lancer; Mitsubishi Outlander |
Common malfunctions of INVECS I-III transmissions
| Malfunctions | Transmissions |
| The bushes and seals get damaged due to wear of the torque converter elements, causing leaks to appear. | F4A33; W4A32 |
| The friction plates burn out due to overheating, which causes problems with gear shifting. | F4A33; W4A32 |
| The solenoid contacts get soiled. | F4A33; F4A42; W4A32 |
| The lubricant level drops, causing breakdown of the transmission pump. | F4A42 |
| The flow control valve of the transmission pump breaks down. | W1CJA (JF011E) |
| The bearings of the input and output shafts wear out. | W1CJA (JF011E) |
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