on 17 october 2006, mitsubishi launched the second generation model, dropping the "airtrek" in japan in favour of adopting the global name. it features a new dohc 2.4 l 16-valve mivec engine; "invecs-iii" continuously variable transmission (cvt), mitsubishi's awc system which features electronically controlled four wheel drive and stability control, on a stretched mitsubishi gs platform. the north american version, powered by a newly designed "6b31" 3.0 l v6 sohc mivec was shown in april 2006 at the new york auto show prior to its release in october the same year. due to the availability of a v6 engine, mitsubishi returned to offering a shorter version of this vehicle, and reintroduced the mitsubishi rvr on 17 february 2010. the usage of a four-cylinder engine under 2.0 liters offers japanese buyers a vehicle that was in compliance with japanese regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement, which has tax advantages, giving buyers the ability to purchase a vehicle capable of seating seven people without paying the tax penalty of a larger engine.