Autoblog

Watch a Toyota Tundra tow Space Shuttle Endeavour

Zach Bowman — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Toyota

There are publicity stunts, and then there's using a Toyota Tundra to tow the 145-ton Space Shuttle Endeavour across interstate 405 in Los Angeles. That's exactly what happened Saturday night when Toyota lent a hand pulling the retired spacecraft over a bridge en route to the California Science Center. As it turned out, the Manchester Boulevard Bridge couldn't stand up to the weight of both the shuttle and the traditional tow vehicle, which sent organizers searching for something a little lighter to cover the five-minute drive across the bridge. As a 20-year sponsor of the science center, Toyota stepped in to help out.

The company developed a special tow dolly with Sarens Group, an engineering and heavy-lifting firm, just for the effort. A bone-stock 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4 did the deed, though something tells us this little stunt greatly exceeded the machine's tow rating. You can check out a video of the pull for yourself as well as the full press release below.

Continue reading Watch a Toyota Tundra tow Space Shuttle Endeavour

Watch a Toyota Tundra tow Space Shuttle Endeavour originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volvo, Tesla

As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it's time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we're not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a few vehicles that we're truly going to miss.

The Mazda RX-8, for example, has grown to be one of our favorite sports cars since its introduction in 2003. We love its lightweight construction, high-revving rotary engine and surprisingly functional suicide door design. It's kind of like a Miata with a roof and rear seats. Speaking of the Miata, Tesla's two-seat Roadster - the automaker's first production vehicle - proved to us that open-top motoring can be thrilling even with a stack of batteries driving the wheels.

We'll miss the Honda Element and its rugged, utilitarian nature. We'll miss the Volvo V50 and its capacious cargo area made for Ikea runs. And we'll really miss those large lords of luxury, the Cadillac DTS and Ford Crown Victoria. We've already said goodbye to the faithful but overripe Ford Ranger, and as ridiculous as the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was, it was a shockingly good-to-drive electrified crossover.

There are plenty more models that won't be making the journey to the 2012 model year, so have a look at the full list in our attached image gallery, then let us know which ones you'll miss (if any) in the Comments.

Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi to kill off Eclipse, Endeavor in August, Galant to live on

Chris Shunk — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Eclipse - Click above for high-res image gallery

We first heard back in January that Mitsubishi was planning to kill off the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant by 2013. Now, however, AutoWeek is reporting that the euthanization timeline is a lot closer to summer, with only the Galant receiving a reprieve.

Mitsubishi North America CEO Yoichi Yokozawa has reportedly confirmed that the automaker will stop production on the Eclipse and Endeavor in August, but added that a determination on the Galant won't happen until later. The vehicles are currently being built in Mitsubishi's Illinois assembly plant, but the automaker is looking to make room for the Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi plans to make 50,000 copies per year of the crossover utility vehicle, with half the vehicles tabbed for export.

If you're looking to get your hands on one of the last Endeavor models, you'd better hurry, since Mitsubishi only has a 23-day supply of the outdated model. The Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder will probably take a while to peter out, though, as the automaker currently has a 180-day supply of the coupe and convertible. Either way, for tens of thousands of devotees, it's an ignominious end for a once-proud performance model.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor

[Source: AutoWeek]

Mitsubishi to kill off Eclipse, Endeavor in August, Galant to live on originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mitsubishi to kill Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant

Zach Bowman — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse - Click above for high-res image gallery

It turns out the rumors we heard about the languishing Mitsubishi lineup are true. According to Automotive News, Mitsubishi is planning to drop the axe on the entirety of its American-made portfolio of vehicles in order to begin building new global platforms here in the States. That means that the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant will all be sent to pasture gradually between now and 2014. In their place, Mitsubishi is likely to begin building cars and crossovers off of the Lancer and Outlander bones at the company's Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. At least some of those vehicles will be hybrid or battery powered.

Mitsubishi has made it clear that the company will offer eight hybrid and battery-powered vehicles by 2015 in a move to be better prepared for rising fuel prices. The company saw a sales increase of around three percent last year, and by 2013 or 2014, the automaker says that it plans to see that figure at 37 percent. That would mean Mitsubishi would need to move a total of 1.37 million vehicles by that date.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

[Sources: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Mitsubishi to kill Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi, UAW reach Illinois plant pact - but what will they build there?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi, UAW/Unions

The good ol' Diamond Star Motors plant in Normal, Illinois - where such well-regarded vehicles as the original Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser were built, among others - is apparently getting a new lease on life now that Mitsubishi, the United Auto Workers and laborers at the plant have all approved of a new contract.

At this point, it's unclear what Mitsubishi plans to build in its only North American plant, and the present output of Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant are likely not long for this world. Would it be too much to ask for an Eclipse that hearkens back to the good old days of turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive? Probably, but we'll settle for a new nameplate or two that escapes the automaker's current mire of drab, dated and slow-selling sedans and coupes.

In any case, we're told to expect a detailed product plan from Mitsubishi that will lay out the steps it will take to become relevant in the United States once again. And, incidentally, the Japanese automaker apparently has no intentions whatsoever of leaving the U.S. market... which means whatever it's cooking up at the moment had better be rather impressive.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Mitsubishi, UAW reach Illinois plant pact - but what will they build there? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor hangs on for another year with bundled features

Noah Joseph — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor SE - Click above for high-res image gallery

Initially introduced back in 2004, the Mitsubishi Endeavor is growing a little long-in-the-tooth. And despite facelifts carried out for the 2006 and 2010 model years, the mid-size crossover never really managed to meet Mitsubishi's sales targets, and it wasn't even produced in 2009 while the Japanese automaker tried to sell off remaining stock. Yet the Endeavor is set to soldier on for at least one more model year, carrying a few updates to help it along.

For the 2011 model year, the Endeavor SE gains satellite navigation, a sunroof and a backup camera, previously offered as optional equipment but now included as standard on the uplevel model. Pricing jumps up by about two grand with the inclusion of the equipment and buyers can still choose between two- or four-wheel drive. Full details to be found in the press release after the jump, along with a fresh gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor hangs on for another year with bundled features

2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor hangs on for another year with bundled features originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mitsubishi could kill off Galant, Eclipse by 2013

Zach Bowman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Crossover

Mitsubishi Eclipse - Click above for high-res image gallery

Things aren't looking good for the Mitsubishi lineup of American-built vehicles. According to AutoWeek, the Japanese automaker is channeling all of its resources into building a new global small car. That means that between now and 2012, we won't be seeing too many updates to the likes of the Galant, Endeavor, Eclipse or Eclipse Spyder. All of those past-their-prime vehicles ride on the same platform and are built in the company's Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. As of right now, AutoWeek says that the Japanese automaker hasn't decided what to build at that plant once cars like the current Eclipse go the way of the dinosaur.

Mitsubishi has been planning a new global car for a good while now, and while details are still murky at the moment, we're told to expect a fuel-thrifty 1.0 or 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. The car is expected to show up in either late 2012 or early 2013, which leaves Mitsubishi to soldier on with only two other planned additions to its lineup between now and then - the i-MiEV electric vehicle and the Outlander Sport.

Us? We're a bit more pessimistic. If cash-strapped Mitsu offs a significant portion of its lineup amidst slumping sales, will a new inexpensive small car and the Outlander and Lancer lineups make U.S. dealers enough money for them to stay in business?

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Mitsubishi could kill off Galant, Eclipse by 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 Galant

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Recalls, Safety, Mitsubishi, Off-Road

Mitsubishi is recalling both the 2004 Endeavor SUV and 2010 Galant sedan over possible corrosion issues that could cause flammable fluids to leak. The safety recall affects approximately 56,113 Endeavors and 2,307 Galants across the United States.

The Endeavors in question are those that were originally sold or currently registered in states where road salt is used to clear away snow and ice in the winter. According to NHTSA, road salt, mixed with other debris, can become trapped between the Endeavor's fuel filler pipe and a reinforcing bracket, which can cause corrosion and potentially a fuel leak. As for the Galant, the automatic transmission oil cooler pipe on some vehicles may have insufficient corrosion-preventing plating. If so, this pipe can develop a hole, meaning transmission fluid can potentially seep out.

The official safety recalls begin in March for the Galant and July for the Endeavor, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners can contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037 for more information regarding either recall. Click through the jump to read the full details in NHTSA's press releases.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 Galant

Mitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 Galant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva-bound Mitsubishi ASX coming to America this fall as Outlander Sport

Chris Paukert — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi ASX/RVR/Outlander Sport

While we have known for some time that Mitsubishi will introduce a new compact crossover dubbed RVR in Japan and ASX in Europe, what we didn't know was what designation the car would carry when it hit North American showrooms. We do now. A source at Mitsubishi tells Autoblog that the inexpensive four-cylinder crossover will be called Outlander Sport, a nod to Mitsu's larger and more-established three-row Outlander CUV.

Astute carspotters will note that this isn't the first time that the Japanese automaker has used the 'Sport' moniker in this capacity, attached to the name of another more expensive and well-known model in its lineup. Back at the beginning of this decade, Mitsu marketed its Montero Sport (a vehicle that was eventually supplanted by the slow-selling Endeavor), a body-on-frame SUV that rode the coattails of the more established and luxurious Montero.

When the five-passenger Outlander Sport arrives in North America this fall, it will carry a Lancer-derived 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder backed by a CVT gearbox, and it will arrive with electronically controlled all-wheel drive. Other drivetrains remain a possibility, but the focus of the 2.0-liter setup will be fuel economy, with Mitsu engineers targeting a highway figure of 30 miles-per-gallon or better (the larger Outlander achieves a maximum of 25 mpg). A front-drive, six-speed manual model will be available in other markets, but its fate remains undecided for North America.

Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but we expect it to undercut the front-drive Outlander's MSRP of $21,605 (including destination) as it takes on vehicles like Nissan's Rogue and Hyundai Tucson. The new model will be revealed at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Mitsubishi ASX

Geneva-bound Mitsubishi ASX coming to America this fall as Outlander Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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