Autoblog

Report: Mitsubishi official says Evo franchise is dead

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Japan, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

To that end, Autocar indicates that Mitsubishi will release eight fully-electric or hybrid-electric cars by the time 2015 rolls around, and make a grab for a big portion of the CO2-reduction market share. It goes without saying that the fun-yet-fuel-swilling Evo just doesn't fit that mindset, particularly since it apes a rally car that no longer exists.

Despite the Evo's huge popularity, Mitsubishi apparently isn't scared of the step and says it's confident that consumers will glom on to the idea and rally behind the brand. By killing the Evo, they're making their intentions plain to an increasingly environmentally-conscious car-buying public.

Eusegi killed dead any notion that the brand would roll out a performance-oriented hybrid as well. "Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles. Maybe then we can enter the market agian," he said.

This report of the Evo's death would seem to stand in contrast to multiple reports that an Evo XI is in the works with a hybrid drivetrain. We're taking this latest Autocar missive with a few grains of salt, as we can see how Eusegi may have simply meant that an Evo that relies exclusively on internal combustion is dead - a hybrid Evo would seem to offer a nice technological bridge to Mitsubishi's more electrically minded future. Hat tip to Dennis!

Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Mitsubishi official says Evo franchise is dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi to offer remote-control test drives of real Outlander Sport over the Internet [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Videos, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Look Ma, no driver! - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Mitsubishi wants people to take notice of its 2011 Outlander Sport. There will be traditional print and television ad campaigns, but the automaker is also exploring new ways of reaching new car buyers. Through its creative agency 180 LA, Mitsubishi plans to put a bunch of car shoppers behind the wheel of the new crossover. Not literally, but virtually.

The automaker is rolling out its Mitsubishi Live Drive campaign that puts drivers behind the wheel of an actual Outlander Sport. They won't be sitting in the vehicle but instead they'll be in front of a computer. The CUV will be controlled remotely via users on the Internet. While we don't want to be anywhere near the car when this is happening, it's certainly a novel re-imagining of the test drive concept.

The Mitsubishi Live Drive event kicks off November 1, 2010 and runs through November 10. If you're interested in testing out your computer driving skills, you can sign up starting October 15 at OutlanderSport.com. In the meantime, you can catch a sneak peak at what's in store by viewing the video and official press release after the jump. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Sources: Mitsubishi, AdWeek, YouTube]

Continue reading Mitsubishi to offer remote-control test drives of real Outlander Sport over the Internet [w/video]

Mitsubishi to offer remote-control test drives of real Outlander Sport over the Internet [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart takes aim at the competition

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, New Car Reviews

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart - Click above for high-res image gallery

There has always been a glaringly obvious gap in Mitsubishi's current Lancer lineup. On the bottom is the... Lancer, a biggish-for-its-class economy car that no one particularly likes - at least that's what the sales charts would indicate. It's slow, filled with cheap plastics and dull. It hasn't even proven to be all that reliable by Japanese small-car standards, but at least it looks good. At the top of the heap and on a wholly different plane sits the Lancer Evolution. It's the giant-slayer, David, the little car that humbles supercars. It's also the hottest of the rally-inspired all-wheel-drive turbocharged pocket rockets. The Evo's only real competition is the Subaru WRX STI and, let's be honest, the Evo has been the better car for years now (Subaru has just updated its warrior for 2011, so a new comparison is in order). Its handling is more precise, yet at the same time more insane. The Mitsu is rawer, rougher, tougher and most importantly faster, even though it's down half a liter on the WRX STI in terms of displacement. Don't read this wrong, the STI is a fine backroad killer. But the EVO is more homicidal.

It looks like a toned down Evo, which is exactly what Mitsubishi wants you to think.

Back to that gap. In the middle of its arch rival's portfolio has long lived the WRX, Subaru's Goldie Loxian sportster, which is very fast, very nimble, but very well priced (it still starts at under $25,000). The WRX has long threaded the needle between excellent all-around performance and the customer not being able to afford a higher monthly payment. Subaru, therefore, has sold a ton of them, for not only does the WRX offer all that power and rally-bred oomph at a low price, it can be had as a wagon. Mitsubishi had nothing until this year, when the Japanese industrial powerhouse brought over two new flavors of its hopped-up Lancer, the Ralliart and the Ralliart Sportback.

Today we're taking a look at the supposedly more practical of those two additions, the five-door Sportback. When the pictures of the Lancer Sportback Ralliart started spilling onto this here internet, Yours Truly was especially excited. The main reason being that for the past eight years, I've owned a WRX wagon in one form or another. Biased? You could say that, but at that same time, I've been driving Evos against STIs and have remained aware (perhaps painfully aware) that the Evo is the sharper blade. Perhaps, then, the Sportback Ralliart could be my next fast and furious wagon, or at least go wheel-to-wheel with its competition from Fuji Heavy Industries? Hop the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart takes aim at the competition

Review: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart takes aim at the competition originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Lancer earns Top Safety Pick award, first Mitsubishi to pass new rollover test [*UPDATE]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Safety, Mitsubishi

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer ES - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the Mitsubishi Lancer one of its top safety picks. The four-door sedan managed to be the first Mitsubishi that the Institute has tested to pass the new roll-over test with a "good" rating. As much as we like entertaining ourselves by thinking about the researchers flipping a bevy of cars and SUVs from 9-to-5, that isn't quite how the institute tests for rollover strength.

Instead, a large metal plate exerts a steady force on the roof of a vehicle until the crash structure deflects by five inches. At that point, the boffins measure the amount of force it took to bend the roof and compare it to the overall weight of the vehicle. From there, a strength-to-weight ratio can be established. Currently, the federal government requires a vehicle's roof to be able to withstand 1.5 times the weight of the car, and in order for a vehicle to earn a "good" rollover rating from the IIHS, the roof needs to be able to stand up to four times the weight of the vehicle.

Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer ES

[Source: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Mitsubishi Lancer earns Top Safety Pick award, first Mitsubishi to pass new rollover test [*UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is right-sized at the right time

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Mitsubishi, First Drives

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

From all outward appearances, Mitsubishi could be considered the Chrysler of Japan. Its products have grown fragmented. Its focus scattershot. Its past interiors... well, the less said the better. So it was a breath of fresh air to hear that Mitsubishi's attention will be centered on two core marques going forward: the Lancer and Outlander.

With the Galant toiling away in obscurity and the Eclipse a heavyweight shell of its former self, the Japanese automaker's compact sedan and crossover lines are the two remaining bright spots in its portfolio (all-electric iMiEV aside).

And if you're looking for a Lancer, Mitsubishi has you covered. In spades. A basic runabout? Easy. A tech-laden, turbocharged, all-wheel drive sports sedan. Done. Name your price and priorities, and there's a Lancer for you.

But what about the Outlander?

According to Bryan Arnett, Mitsubishi's Manager of Product Strategy, the Outlander brand is set to expand in the coming years. In addition to the four trim levels - topped off by the surprisingly entertaining GT - there's room to fill above and below. While the Endeavor currently sits at the peak of the company's CUV pile (for the time being), Mitsubishi needs something on the small side to compete with the new Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan and upcoming Nissan Juke. It's a segment that - according to most automakers - is set to explode in the new few years, and Mitsubishi wants to be a player. Enter the Outlander Sport, a right-sized CUV that takes the core components of its bigger brother and distills them into a smaller, lighter package.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is right-sized at the right time

First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is right-sized at the right time originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2010: Mitsubishi hopes 2011 Outlander Sport will be their volume leader

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Japan, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Let's just go on ahead and make that much needed volume leader. The great economic collapse of 2009 smashed Mitsubishi in the teeth with a much larger brick than most other manufacturers. Thinks have slightly improved, but their February sales were still down 10 percent, and from an already frighteningly low level. Obviously, something must be done.

Meet the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, or as they're calling it in alphanumeric-loving Europe, the ASX. We've covered this particular small crossover pretty extensively already, so here's the U.S. spec deal. It's 15 inches shorter than the Outlander GT. Like its big brother, it gets magnesium paddle shifters. However, they are connected to a CVT instead of Mitsu's sweet dual-clutch gearbox. Now, no one has driven the Outlander Sport yet, and CVTs have gotten massively better in the last few years, so don't bunch your panties up quite yet.

The real upshot of that CVT is the Outlander Sport's 31 mpg highway figure, a right respectable number for a small crossover. In fact, that means the Outlander Sport is competitive with a small CUV we like a whole bunch, the new Hyundai Tucson. Besides the CVT, Mitsu has installed weight-saving plastic front fenders, electric power steering and has sculpted the Outlander Sport down to a admirably slippery 0.33 Cd. The Outlander Sport can also be shifted from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive and yes, you will be able to order yours in this particularly vibrant shade of show car blue.

Gallery: New York 2010: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

New York 2010: Mitsubishi hopes 2011 Outlander Sport will be their volume leader originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mitsubishi ASX obliterates first month sales goal in Japan

Dan Roth — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Japan, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

What's popular in the Japanese home market isn't always an indicator of worldwide success; check out their obsession with dogs, for instance. On the other hand, the reason Mitsubishi's ASX has pulled down three-and-a-half times the automaker's hoped-for monthly sales in its first four weeks on the market is probably not related to quirkiness.

Tax breaks, plus the ASX's manageable size and just-right equipment level are universal ways to connect with buyers anywhere, and that's what's likely fueled the initial success. North American buyers will get the ASX badged as the Outlander Sport, and it will debut at the New York Auto Show. Interestingly, JDM buyers are nutso for the high-level "G" trim; 75 percent of orders are for the zootiest version. It's not yet clear what the trim levels are going to be for the U.S. market, other than the understanding that Mitsubishi's 2.0 liter MIVEC engine will be standard equipment. With skittish buyers and a still-lagging economy in the States, it could be a perfect time for a Goldilocks-grade mini-ute, especially for Mitsubishi, a company that has lost a lot of ground in the sales race over the last few years.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Mitsubishi ASX

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Automobile]

Report: Mitsubishi ASX obliterates first month sales goal in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:31:00 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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Report: Mitsubishi looking to claw back to 100,000 sales in U.S. in three years

Chris Shunk — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Mitsubishi, Earnings/Financials

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the healthy catches a cold, the sickly contract the flu. Over the past few years, Mitsubishi has been suffering from a degenerative case of bronchial pneumonia, with a side of strep and a nasty rash. In other, less contagious words, Mitsubishi has been faring very poorly during the industry's worst downturn in decades, and it's tough to say if the struggling Japanese automaker will ever leave the intensive care unit.

But to listen to John Koenig, executive vice president of Mitsubishi North America, that will all change over the next few years. Koenig has told Wards Automotive that he sees Mitsubishi hitting 100,000 sales in the U.S. within three years. Mitsubishi only sold 53,986 vehicles in 2009, down 44.5 percent compared to a still depressing 2008, and that's only one sixth of the Japanese automaker's 345,111 U.S. sales in 2002. Koenig says he's had to reassure dealers that Mitsubishi isn't leaving the North American market, adding "that's probably their biggest fear, because they're reading about it in various journals."

To get out of its sales rut, Mitsubishi plans to bolster sales with the help of the 2010 Outlander, a vehicle that we found to be pretty entertaining and capable. Koenig also points to the current Lancer as another vehicle that could help turn sales around.

Will Mitsubishi return to sales of 100,000 units a year in the States? It's difficult to say, really, but given the automaker's performance over the past few years, we're not all that optimistic. The good news though is that most sales problems can easily be cured with good products, and if the Outlander is as good as we think it is we're thinking, Mitsubishi has a shot at staying relevant - though they had better be readying a few new cannons in their arsenal.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

[Source: Wards Automotive - sub. req.]

Continue reading Report: Mitsubishi looking to claw back to 100,000 sales in U.S. in three years

Report: Mitsubishi looking to claw back to 100,000 sales in U.S. in three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi releases updated JDM Outlander Roadest with unique look

Dan Roth — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Japan, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Roadest - click for high-res gallery

Normally when an automaker updates a model, even if it's just a quick cosmetic change, the earlier version is treated like cheek meat - nobody wants it unless it's a real good deal, and the dealers just want them gone. Mitsubishi evidently thinks its home-market will be kinder to the compact crossover-ute-thing we know and love as the Outlander.

While a new Evo-esque beak has been grafted onto our Outlander for 2010, the softer, older version will continue to be offered to JDM buyers alongside a more cosmetically aggressive model. To avoid confusion, a country-specific rhinoplasty-enhanced model will be branded Outlander Roadest (note that the fascia and, grille and foglamps are all distinct from the U.S. model), while the older bodywork model will continue on as just plain "Outlander." Regardless of the looks, both iterations will get a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, good for 148PS (about 146 horsepower). The offal-likeness is in play with pricing as well, with the new-old Outlander selling for just ¥1,995,000 (about $22,000) while the Roadest will command ¥2,475,900 ($27,100).

Gallery: Mitsubishi Roadest

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Mitsubishi releases updated JDM Outlander Roadest with unique look originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy Geek Squads to start testing Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Specialty, Electric

Mitsubishi Geek Squad i-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

While Mitsubishi didn't unveil any new vehicles at the LA Auto Show today, company president Osamu Masuko did announce the latest step in his company's plan to bring plug-in vehicles to North America. The vehicle - well, one of them - is an all-electric i-MiEV plastered with Best Buy's Geek Squad logo. The electronics giant will start using them in January (after they're shown off at CES) at some Geek Squad locations in California. Details have not yet been totally worked out, but the Geek EVs will start with a fleet of four vehicles and then expand and rotate to other stores over the course of three years. Most likely, the i-MiEVs will be doled out in pairs and the probable early cities where these vehicles will make house calls include Chicago, New York, Portland and San Francisco.

Best Buy plans to use the i-MiEVs just like any other fleet car, with the exception that they will be right-hand drive. Best Buy's Senior Vice President of emerging business, Rick Rommel, told AutoblogGreen that the idea is to learn "how these will fit into a Geek's daily life." The plug-in vehicle tests with Geek Squad are unrelated to how select West Coast Best Buy stores are selling electric bikes. That said, Rommel admits that the key thing is that Best Buy likes to conduct new experiments, and these EVs fit into that general concept.

Gallery: Best Buy Geek Squad i-MIEV

Continue reading Best Buy Geek Squads to start testing Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Best Buy Geek Squads to start testing Mitsubishi i-MiEV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UPDATE: U.S. bound Mitsubishi Colt will be an all-new global small car

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Yesterday, we reported that Mitsubishi is bringing its small, B-segment Colt to our shores. And that's true, mostly. What we've learned between now and then is that Mitsu isn't bringing over the current Colt, but rather the replacement for the current Colt, i.e. the next Colt. In fact, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. President Osamu Masuko said as much during last month's Tokyo Motor Show. Here's what he told Automotive News:

"Mitsubishi will follow that with a global small car in 2012. That car will be smaller than the Colt, which is sold in Japan and Europe, and will have a 1.0- to 1.3-liter gasoline engine. A plug-in hybrid version and all-electric version of the global small car are scheduled for 2013. Mitsubishi is studying which of those would best suit the United States.

The scoop, then, is that this new global small car will be called Colt. As opposed to say, Havasu.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

UPDATE: U.S. bound Mitsubishi Colt will be an all-new global small car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi's new sub-CUV will be called RVR in Japan... what will it be called when it hits the US?

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi RVR - click for high-resolution gallery

Mitsubishi is dusting off and old name for its new compact crossover. The new RVR that will be released in Japan next spring is nothing like past Mitsus wearing the moniker, a model we knew here as the Expo LRV. The RVR shares the Mitsu family's nose and physique, though the compact body is being described by officials as lightweight.

When it launches in Japan, the RVR will carry a 1.8 liter four-cylinder, and the MIVEC engine figures to keep the appetite for fuel in check. Mitsubishi is staggering the RVR's rollout, so its spring 2010 arrival in Japanese showrooms will be first, but North American sales are promised eventually. From where we sit, the RVR and Colt are two bits of triple-diamond excitement to look forward to in the coming year, especially if the company goes all Ralliart-crazy on both. Official press release posted after the jump.

Gallery: Mitsubishi RVR

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi's new sub-CUV will be called RVR in Japan... what will it be called when it hits the US?

Mitsubishi's new sub-CUV will be called RVR in Japan... what will it be called when it hits the US? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors

Michael Harley — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Evo X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Potential corrosion of the front impact airbag sensor has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall up to 29,353 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution models. NHTSA is concerned that long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt thrown up by other vehicles on the road may cause the wintery mixture to adhere to the front impact sensor and lead to corrosion over time. In the event of an accident or collision, a damaged sensor may short-circuit and delay airbag deployment possibly causing driver or passenger injury. The recall is currently limited to states where heavy road salt is used in the winter (i.e., Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin, etc...).

Mitsubishi dealers have been instructed to replace the airbag sensors with a redesigned model with improved corrosion resistance. Of course, the service will be performed at no charge. While the safety recall isn't scheduled to begin until November 27, 2009, owners may contact Mitsubishi Customer Relations at 888-648-7820, contact NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or visit NHTSA on the Internet at www.safercar.gov. Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors

Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:11:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi has put its plug-in hybrid Concept PX-MiEV crossover concept on a pedestal here at the Tokyo Motor Show, touting the CUV's "environmental and on-road performance," as well as its serial and parallel modes and wireless charging capabilities.

The crossover's design language represents another refinement for Mitsubishi, and although it's markedly less provocative than the newly re-shnozzed 2010 Outlander, it presents a pleasing collection of shapes and could point the way for a future iteration of the softroader. Inside is typical concept car fare for "linking man and car interactively" - which means it's far too cool for us to actually get on the road - but hey, where else are you going to find a cocochi interior with a yoke-style steering wheel?

The real story here is arguably the drivetrain, where Mitsu has combined a 1.6-liter gas engine and a hybrid system with lithium-ion batteries.

In any case, you can check out the PR info after the jump, and visuals in the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face

Tokyo 2009: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV shows its more conventional face originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York: Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype gets a EVOplasty snarl

Chris Paukert — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi's Outlander GT Prototype vehicle isn't slated for a reveal until tomorrow morning, but we caught the raced-up crossover lurking uncovered in the darkness as the Japanese automaker was preparing for a run-through of tomorrow's presentation.

As you can plainly see, the concept vehicle is essentially a lowered Outlander that's been given a bit of Evoplasty up front. The new mouth breather look is significantly more aggressive than the current happy-faced model, but changes beyond that are minimal, including OZ split-spoke wheels and a few badges.

While Mitsubishi has yet to announce that this new face will make it to production, the handwriting and spy photos are on the wall for the aggressive new look to become a brand hallmark, what with the recent introduction of the production Lancer Ralliart Sportback sporting a similar front graphic. The fact that this is called a "prototype" and not a concept is a further clue in Mitsu's production intent.

No word yet on what (if any) modifications have been performed under the skin, but a quick peek inside before the press conference rehearsal began seemed to indicate a stock leather-lined interior. We'll keep you in the loop as we learn more, but for now, enjoy the gallery below and the preview press release after the jump.

Gallery: New York: Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype

Gallery: Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype

Continue reading New York: Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype gets a EVOplasty snarl

New York: Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype gets a EVOplasty snarl originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another one bites the dust: Mitsubishi pulls out of Detroit Auto Show

Michael Harley — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Mitsubishi

Eight weeks from now, the 2009 Detroit Auto Show will open its doors at Cobo Hall. And... Mitsubishi won't be there. Like a handful of other high-profile manufacturers who have pulled out (including Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Ferrari, Suzuki, and Porsche), the Japanese automaker based its decision on cost - the market for Mitsubishi automobiles in the Detroit area just isn't significant enough to warrant the expenditure in today's economy. The automaker's move is rather significant as the Detroit show is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. However, skipping the 2009 show doesn't prevent Mitsubishi from coming back in 2010. Regardless of whose left at the show come the second week of January (hey, at least Chinese automaker BYD will exhibit), Autoblog will be there to cover everything in detail.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Another one bites the dust: Mitsubishi pulls out of Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi Evo X

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Mitsubishi

Click for a hi-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Evo X

Some cars look bad-ass, while others have a bad-ass image. The latest Mitsubishi Evo ticks both boxes, and ticks them off with a big X. Despite being based on the run-of-the-mill, work-a-day Lancer sedan, the Evo X has all the attitude you could ask from a performance icon, with the actual performance to back it up.

With the Evolution X now upon us, Mitsubishi has released no fewer than 35 new jumbo images of the beast, which we've added to our ever-growing high-resolution gallery for a total of 89 images to thrash your desktop into submission. Check out what happens when the Evo comes to town by clicking the thumbnails below.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Pics Aplenty: Mitsubishi Evo X originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Auto Show: Mitsubishi Prototype X concept

Eric Bryant — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:10:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Mitsubishi

UPDATE: Additional 33 live shots added to the gallery for a total of 109 high-res shots!

click above image to view an incredible gallery of 109 high-resolution images

Highly anticipated by fans of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, a preview of what we can expect from the automaker's tenth-generation sports sedan was revealed today at the Detroit Auto Show in the form of the Prototype X.

The big news under the sheetmetal is the automated manual six-speed gearbox, although no indications are currently available as to whether it uses a single layshaft and clutch or if two are used to minimize torque drop during shifts (a conventional five-speed manual will be offered on the production Evo X). The S-AWC automatic center diff splits the power to the front and rear, with Mitsubishi's Active Yaw Control rear diff and Active Skid Control stability control keeping all that turbocharged fury under control. And just how much fury might we expect? Mitsubishi states that final ratings are not available pending ongoing development, but promises that this will be the most powerful Evo ever, aided by an "over-engineered" open-deck block and reciprocating assembly that were optimized for use with high boost levels.

Click through for more thoughts, the full press release from Mitsubishi, and please do yourself a favor and check out the Prototype X's high-resolution gallery with 88 pics that deserve to be a good desktop wallpaper.

Click here to see 78 more high-res images!

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Mitsubishi Prototype X concept

Detroit Auto Show: Mitsubishi Prototype X concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York Auto Show: Mitsubishi Outlander ready to roll in North America

John Neff — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:06:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, SUV, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi has already sold over 20,000 units of its new Outlander since the unibody ute went on sale in Japan about five and a half months ago. Today the embattled carmaker will be unveiling the North American version in Javits, but we've got some early info for you.

The 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander is going to combine compelling hardware wrapped in a very attractive package. It will be powered by an all-aluminum, 220-hp MIVEC V6 that's joined at the hip with a six-speed Sportronic transmission. Magnesium paddle shifters on the wheel are also an option for those who crave the illusion of F1 racing.

The Outlander will be available with either AWD or FWD, the latter developed specifically for us folk in the New World. The all-wheel drive system mis called All-Wheel Control and has the ability to operate in front-wheel drive mode for better fuel economy or "4WD Auto" to leave the delegation of power up to the Outlander.

Look for live shots of the Outlander and more deets as the day progresses.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

New York Auto Show: Mitsubishi Outlander ready to roll in North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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