Mitsubishi blog
Review: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart takes aim at the competitionFiled under: Performance, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, 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.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOLContinue 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. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMitsubishi Lancer earns Top Safety Pick award, first Mitsubishi to pass new rollover test [*UPDATE]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.
[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. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE ready to smoke some rubberFiled under: Videos, Mitsubishi
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE - Click above to watch the video after the jump
Mitsubishi is hyping its latest entrant into the Lancer Evolution X family with a new video of the SE tackling two of California's greatest racetracks.
The Special Edition blends the GSR and MR models to create a mid-range Evo that's slightly easier on the wallet, but it doesn't skimp on the good stuff. A Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission is mated to the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four, while two-piece Brembo front brake rotors, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs round out the performance mods. Mix in the same "diamond black" paint job from the SE edition of the Evolution IX, a rear lip spoiler, Xenon XID headlamps, heated Recaro bucket seats and a set of 12-spoke wheels and you've got yourself a genuinely special Evo on your hands. Hit the jump to see the SE taking to track, complete with gratuitous powerslides and tire-shredding four-wheel drifts.
[Source: YouTube]Continue reading Video: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE ready to smoke some rubber Video: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE ready to smoke some rubber originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Mitsubishi targeting sub-$30k MSRP for U.S. i-MiEV EVFiled under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Electric 
Mitsubishi i-MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery
When Mitsubishi launched the production version of the i-MiEV electric car in Japan last year, it came in at a frighteningly high price - almost $50,000 before tax incentives. That's a lot of coin for a small car with a limited range, but Mitsubishi has said repeatedly that it wants to bring the home-market price down to about $22,000 by 2012.
Before that happens, the i-MiEV is due to arrive in the U.S. market in 2011 and Nissan has already moved aggressively to price the Leaf at under $33,000. With that in mind, Mitsubishi is aiming for a sticker price of under $30,000 for its EV before the $7,500 federal tax credit. The real world range of the i-MiEV is likely to be as low as 50-60 miles, with no range extension capability. And for such a low range, the diminutive EV will need an appropriate price to get any traction in the market.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]Report: Mitsubishi targeting sub-$30k MSRP for U.S. i-MiEV EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsFirst Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is right-sized at the right timeFiled under: Crossover, Mitsubishi, First Drive 
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.
Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.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. Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE melds the best bits of the GSR and MRFiled under: Sedan, Performance, Mitsubishi 
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you're hankering for a dual-clutch equipped Mitusbishi Lancer Evolution X, but can't manage to shell out the $40,000 or so for the top-of-the-line MR, Mitsubishi will begin offering the next best thing later this year.
The Evo X SE packs the same TC-SST transmission as its 335i-challenging sibling, complete with three driving modes - Normal, Sport and Super-Sport - channeling all 291 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque to its S-AWC all-wheel drive system.
On the outside, it's a predictable blend of GSR and MR kit, including a GSR front fascia and black vents, along with an MR rear diffuser and upgraded Bilstein shocks. Inside, cloth Recaros come standard - our preferred choice compared to the MR's leather-lined thrones.
Pricing won't be announced until next month, but expect the SE to carry a sticker of around $35,800 - undercutting the standard MR by around $3,000 and a little less than a $2,000 premium over a comparable GSR.
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE melds the best bits of the GSR and MR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentseBay Find of the Day: 9,800-mile 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSi lays claim to world's bestFiled under: Classics, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Auctions, Hatchback, Chrysler, Mitsubishi 
1987 Chrysler Conquest TSi - Click above for high-res image gallery
We've got to say, we're inclined to give this one to the seller. The 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSi you see above has only managed to rack up a mere 9,800 miles in its 23 years on this planet, and as such, the car looks like it's spent the last two decades in a vacuum-sealed baggie. The current owner claims to have done a little bit of work to keep the car looking its best, including having the wheels refurbished (though the original tires are still in place), painting the front splitter and replacing the stock exhaust system with a cat-back kit from Magnaflow (hopefully he saved the original plumbing). The windows have also been tinted, but that's removable.
The Mitsubishi-built beastie (which was also sold as a Dodge model previous to 1987) is miraculously clean, and the seller says that the car comes with a raft of original paperwork and trinkets, including the original Chrysler keychains. If you want it, get ready to shell out some serious coinage, though. The car is on eBay Motors with a buy it now of $18,900. As we write this, there are six days left on the auction and 10 bids have brought the price to $15,099, suggesting that a BIN taker might not be far behind.
[Source: eBay Motors]eBay Find of the Day: 9,800-mile 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSi lays claim to world's best originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutocar: Next Subaru STI to go diesel, rival Mitsubishi Evo going hybridFiled under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Rumormill, Diesel 
2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery
Rumblings about a diesel-powered Subaru WRX STI first surfaced more than two years ago, and now they're back. The realities of meeting CO2 emissions limits in Europe and elsewhere may have increased the likelihood of a high-performance diesel Subaru, and an oil-burning STI would probably generate at least 200 horsepower and well over 300 pound-feet of torque, suggests Autocar. According to the UK rumor-traffickers, gasoline engines will almost certainly remain in the mix, albeit with reduced displacement. A new engine based on the 1.5-liter boxer in the base Impreza could offer suitable power if mixed with other technologies like direct injection. Even if Subaru does indeed develop a diesel STI, there's no guarantee that such a model would ever make it to North America.
Of course, the WRX doesn't live in a vacuum. Its longtime rival, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo may also ditch the spark plugs and also add a hybrid system. Earlier plans for a gas hybrid were reportedly canceled in favor of the diesel. The plan is to retain the Evo's sophisticated all-wheel-drive for acceleration to 60 mph in under five seconds and CO2 emissions below 200 grams per kilometer. Thanks to everyone for the tips!
[Source: Autocar, Autocar]Autocar: Next Subaru STI to go diesel, rival Mitsubishi Evo going hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsKBB names coolest cars under $18k... do you agree?Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Crossover, Hatchback, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Suzuki 
Kelley Blue Book Top 10 Cars for under $18k - Click above for high-res image gallery
Being in the market for a cheap new car used to mean resigning yourself to time bombs like the Chevrolet Citation or windups like the Geo Metro or Ford Aspire, but the times, they are a-changin', and the good folk at Kelley Blue Book have worked up their very own top 10 list of cool cars for under $18,000.
Not surprisingly, the 2011 Ford Fiesta nabbed a mention thanks to its 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway EPA rating and mile-long standard feature list. Likewise, the new 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring received a spot on the list. The Korean automaker's new long roof manages 23 city and 30 mph mpg highway thanks to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The base Mitsubishi Lancer also made the cut - another 2.0-liter bruiser, the baby brother of the Evolution nabs 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Suzuki also got some love on the KBB list with its SX4. When optioned with the five-speed gearbox, the car walks away with 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Rounding out the list is the ever lovable 2010 Honda Fit. Just like the Suzuki, if you want a few more miles per tank, you'll need to opt for the manual transmission. Thusly equipped, the little Honda can 28 mpg city and up to 35 mpg highway.
Want to see what else made the list? Hit the jump or visit KBB for the whole list.
[Source: Kelley Blue Book]Continue reading KBB names coolest cars under $18k... do you agree? KBB names coolest cars under $18k... do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentseBay Find of the Day: 1991 Dodge Stealth is the Indy 500 Pace Car that never wasFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chrysler, Dodge, Mitsubishi 
1991 Dodge Stealth Indianapolis 500 Official Car - Click above for image gallery
Way back in 1991, Chrysler was charged with providing a pace car for the 75th running of the Indianapolis 500. At the time, the company was blood brothers with Mitsubishi, and the automakers had decided it would be worth everyone's while to rebadge the popular 3000GT as a Stealth and sell it under the Dodge banner. Chrysler was thrilled to have something resembling a sports car on its dealer lots and wanted to get the word out by handing pace car duties to its newest creation. Only there was a problem. Once the public got wind that Chrysler wanted to run a Japanese-built car out front of the red, white and blue Indianapolis 500, near riots ensued, with the United Auto Workers among the most critical parties.
Chrysler pulled a 180 and decided to roll out a Viper prototype for the race, but not before it built a Stealth for pace duty. The car was dipped in some very visible yellow paint, and safety equipment like a roll cage, racing harnesses and a communication system was installed. The car was never called to pace at the Brickyard, however, having been relegated to the duty of an official festival car. Thereafter, it spent its years parked in the Walter P. Chrysler Museum instead.
Now, that very would-be pace car is up for auction on eBay. With just 8,000 miles on the clock and an opening bid of $25,000, the car is someone's chance to own one very odd piece of Detroit history - the Indy 500 pace car that never was. Check out the auction here.
[Source: eBay Motors]eBay Find of the Day: 1991 Dodge Stealth is the Indy 500 Pace Car that never was originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Mooning spectator causes New Zealand rally crashFiled under: Motorsports, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Mitsubishi, Humor, Racing 
Mark Tapper under the full moon - Click above to watch video after the jump
Let's take a moment for quick lesson in target fixation courtesy of New Zealand rally driver Mark Tapper. Earlier this month, Tapper was participating the Rally New Zealand in his WRC Mitsubishi Evo. From the looks of things, the driver was keeping a pretty good pace until he saw something a little out of the ordinary - a full moon.
A spectator on the left side of the course took it upon himself to drop his pants and give Tapper both cheeks, at which point the driver lost his concentration and came into the next corner too hot. The resulting carnage was predictable. The Evo's tail slapped an embankment, causing the whole kit and caboodle to go shiny-side down. Go ahead and hit the jump to see for yourself, but be warned - Tapper's response to the incident isn't what we'd call safe for work. Thanks for the tip, Adam!
[Source: Performance Car]Continue reading Video: Mooning spectator causes New Zealand rally crash Video: Mooning spectator causes New Zealand rally crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMitsubishi giving Peugeot/Citroën version of ASXFiled under: Budget, SUV, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Citroën, Diesel 
Mitsubishi ASX - Click above for high-res image gallery
Mitsubishi, Citroen and Peugeot have announced a partnership that should have a new small SUV in French show rooms by early 2012. The Japanese automaker has agreed to share its ASX platform with PSA Peugeot Citroen in an effort to move more models for everyone involved. Mitsubishi says that while it is providing the bare bones for the project, respective models from the two European automakers will incorporate unique bodywork as well as their own engine.
While the French-Japanese creation will use a 1.6-liter diesel four-cylinder culled from the PSA Citroen Peugeot parts bin, buyers will be able to choose between front-wheel and four-wheel drive models.
The partnership should move an additional 50,000 platforms out of Mitsubishi's doors and onto the streets of Europe. PSA Peugeot Citroen believes the small SUV segment will explode in the near future, with sales leaping by as much as 60 percent by 2015. Hit the jump to see the full press release.
[Source: Mitsubishi]Continue reading Mitsubishi giving Peugeot/Citroën version of ASX Mitsubishi giving Peugeot/Citroën version of ASX originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsNew York 2010: Mitsubishi hopes 2011 Outlander Sport will be their volume leaderFiled 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.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.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. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMitsubishi announces UK pricing for i-MiEV, £33,699Filed under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, UK, Electric 
Mitsubishi i-MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV isn't getting any cheaper as availability expands beyond Japan and the next market to get the lil' electric runabout will be the United Kingdom. Including the 17.5 percent value added tax, the i-MiEV will run British buyers a cool £33,699 before a £5,000 government subsidy. That equates to about $50,500 at current exchange rates, and even bearing in mind the UK's inflated auto prices, it still seems well above the pre-subsidy price in the low $40K range in Japan.
On the EU test cycle the range estimate has dropped from the 100 miles measured in Japan to only 80 miles and real world results will likely be less than that.
Even with an electrical operating cost of about $214 for 12,000 miles of annual driving, it's going to take a long time
to come out ahead financially. The standard gas engined i is not available in the UK, but the sub-compact Colt starts at just £8,999. On the other hand, early adopters are helping to subsidize the future, if they can afford the present.
[Source: Mitsubishi]Continue reading Mitsubishi announces UK pricing for i-MiEV, £33,699 Mitsubishi announces UK pricing for i-MiEV, £33,699 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsEight vehicles you can still buy new... seriouslyFiled under: Car Buying, Convertible, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Etc., Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, GMC, Mazda, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Pontiac, Saab 
Eight vehicles you can still buy new - Click above for high-res image gallery
Was your heart crushed when vehicles like the Mercury Sable, Pontiac Grand Prix or Dodge Durango got the axe? Well, fear not - these hot little numbers (and many more!) are still available from dealerships all across the country.
Automobile magazine has detailed a list of eight cars that are still on sale - brand new - even though they aren't 2010 models. And while these vehicles don't necessarily represent the sexiest cars currently sitting on dealer lots, it's probably safe to assume that they're all being offered with substantial incentive packages, not to mention full warranties (we hope).
Click through the gallery below to see high-res shots of all eight rides, and head over to Automobile to read the full details.
[Source: Automobile]Eight vehicles you can still buy new... seriously originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Mitsubishi ASX obliterates first month sales goal in JapanFiled 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.
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. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMitsubishi recalls 2004 Endeavor, 2010 GalantFiled 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. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRalliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi?Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Mitsubishi 
In a letter issued to its customers, Ralliart, a Japanese high-performance subsidiary of Mitsubishi, has announced that it is closing its doors. The company's business case has apparently faded, a victim of the wilting domestic aftermarket scene as well as its lack of continued motorsports involvement.
Naturally, we wondered if and how the closure of the company responsible for its high-performance parts and related merchandise would impact the development, production and marketing of Mitsubishi vehicles sold here in the States - more specifically, the Lancer Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart models. To answer that question, we spoke with Mitsu spokesman Maurice Durand, and he informs us that the closure of Ralliart will not, in fact, have any affect on the availability or continued marketing of these models (or any future branded offerings), as Mitsubishi owns the rights to the name, logo, and so on. Furthermore, all licensing agreements in foreign countries remain intact.
So, while you may not be able to get a genuine JDM Ralliart strut-tower brace or shift knob, you can breath easy that the SportBack that you've been saving your lunch money for will still be at your local dealer by the time you've got enough scratch. Official press release after the jump.Continue reading Ralliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? Ralliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Mitsubishi ASX is U.S. bound as Outlander SportFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mitsubishi
2010 Mitsubishi ASX - Click above for high-res image gallery
Signaling a new path for Mitsubishi's assault on the automotive market, the 2010 Mitsubishi ASX will take the three-diamond brand away from its concentration on SUVs to "a manufacturer of non-mainstream environmentally friendly passenger cars & crossovers, retaining a presence in the 'authentic off-roader' sector."
Combining the atmosphere of the Outlander with the "on-road attitude" of the Lancer, the four-wheel-drive ASX will show up in America later this year as the Outlander Sport with a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder from the Lancer and an Outlander-besting 30-or-so miles per gallon. Get a good look at Mitsubishi's way forward in the gallery of high-res photos below, and feel free to read the good news in the press release after the jump.
Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mitsubishi ASX is U.S. bound as Outlander Sport Geneva 2010: Mitsubishi ASX is U.S. bound as Outlander Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva-bound Mitsubishi ASX coming to America this fall as Outlander SportFiled 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.
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. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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