Autoblog

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalled over brake lamps

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is recalling certain 2013 Outlander Sport models for a couple of brake-related reasons. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the brake lamps may illuminate continuously or intermittently. On top of that, the NHTSA report states that the vehicle's shift lever could be moved out of the Park position without depressing the brake pedal.

A total of 4,539 Outlander Sport models are being recalled for these issues. All of the affected vehicles were built between June 11 and September 11, 2012.

Obviously, both of these issues can be hazardous. If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly, other vehicles may not realize that the car is stopping. And if the shift lever can be moved from Park without touching the brake pedal, the vehicle could roll away unexpectedly.

Mitsubishi will be notifying owners about these issues in the near future, though no specific schedule has been released as of this writing. Scroll down for the official NHTSA release.

Continue reading 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalled over brake lamps

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalled over brake lamps originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi to double production at Illinois plant

Dan Roth — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:43:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi, Russia

According to reports citing Japan's Nikkei daily, Mitsubishi Motors North America will be cranking up production at its Normal, Illinois plant, but not because the company expects a 100-percent increase in demand here to match the 70,000 units the plant will soon be cranking out. Instead, the plant will be making Outlander Sport models intended for export from the U.S. to markets like Russia and Latin America. To make way for the increased Outlander Sport output, the slow-moving Galant family sedan will leave the building. No replacement has been announced.

Mitsubishi has plants worldwide, but those in closest proximity to strengthening markets are reportedly running at full tilt, so the move makes use of plants in markets where demand is slack. Mitsubishi has seen its fortunes in the U.S. atrophy, and even though sales improved somewhat last year, this production shift shows that turnabout is fair play, with the offshore parent using its American assets to make cars for markets that would typically be producing the goods, not consuming them.

Mitsubishi to double production at Illinois plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport plug-in hybrid coming to U.S. in 2013

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Crossover, Mitsubishi

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

According to a new report from Ward's Auto, a top Mitsubishi executive says a plug-in hybrid version of its Outlander Sport is bound for the U.S. in 2013.

Unveiled in concept form at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi touts the hybridized crossover's "environmental and on-road performance," as well as its electrified powertrain, which combines a 1.6-liter gasoline-powered four-cylinder and the necessary hybrid hardware to a lithium-ion battery pack.

The Outlander Sport plug-in hybrid will mark Mitsubishi's second electrified offering in the States. First up is the battery-powered 2012 i hatchback, which is slated to launch in early 2012.

Beyond those two models, Mitsubishi says that six additional electrified vehicles will launch globally before the end of 2015.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport plug-in hybrid coming to U.S. in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport starts at $19,275, tops out near $38K! [UPDATE]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:51:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Mitsubishi

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

Shortly after finding ourselves strapped in the driver's seat of the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, we called it "a right-sized CUV that takes the core components of its bigger brother (the regular Outlander) and distills them into a smaller, lighter package."

Smaller and lighter doesn't necessarily mean cheaper, though. While the Outlander Sport's starting price of $19,275 (*after destination charges) undercuts the Outlander's by about $3,500, it's not terribly difficult to option up a Sport beyond the $30,000 mark.

In fact, ticking off very available Outlander Sport option on Mitsubishi's Build & Price page will darn near double its base MSRP (none of those options is an engine upgrade, either - all Sports use the same 148-horsepower four-cylinder). Granted, a more realistic set of options still keeps the Outlander Sport well under $30k, but even that pricing seems remarkably close to the bigger, more powerful Outlander V6. Hat tip to Clayton!

UPDATE: Turns out you can't really option up the Outlander Sport to $38K in real life. Mitsubishi's online configurator isn't all that smart and will let you add individual options to the car that are already included in other option packages. Thus, if you check all the boxes like we did, you'll end paying twice for expensive items like the navigation system.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

[Source: Mitsubishi]

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport starts at $19,275, tops out near $38K! [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:51:00 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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Video: Pro wakeboarders jump floating Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback

Chris Shunk — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Click above to watch the video after the jump

When we think of the best possible ways to market a vehicle, somehow placing it on a floating platform and letting wakeboarders jump over it just doesn't crack the top 10. That didn't stop Mitsubishi from offering up an all-new Lancer Ralliart Sportback for All-ActionSports.com's mid-week wake up. Wakeboarders from all over the U.S. lined up to hit a ramp at full speed, jump over ten feet in the air while flipping and flopping over the Mitsubishi wagon.

Hit the jump to watch the skiing daredevils take on water, gravity and the Sportback at the same time.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Pro wakeboarders jump floating Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback

Video: Pro wakeboarders jump floating Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:58:00 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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