MITSUBISHI

Mitsubishi Updates i-MiEV, Slashes Prices and Increases Autonomy 

The electric car war rages on and the latest entrant is Mitsubishi’s new model year version of the i-MiEV that was revealed today in Japan. The most important changes that Mitsubishi made to its all-electric city car is the introduction of a new lower-cost base model and improvements to the standard version in order to extend its driving range. The new budget model is called the ‘M’ and its price comes down to 2.6 million Yen (US$32,070 -€22,170) or 1,880,000 Yen (US$23,190 - €16,040) after Japanese government subsidies. It is powered by an electric motor producing 41-horses and has a reduced driving range of 120 kilometers (75 miles).
The higher-level ‘G’, which will be available for order in mid-August, is equipped with a more powerful electric motor delivering 64HP and can travel for 180 kilometers (112 miles) on a full charge. It is priced at 3.8 million Yen (US$44,400 - €30,700) or 2.6 million Yen (US$32,070 -€22,170) after Japanese government subsidies.
The outgoing i-MiEV was priced at 3.98 million Yen and could run for 160 kilometers miles (100 miles) on a single charge.
To increase the driving range per charge of the i-MiEV ‘G’, which features the same 64HP electric motor as the original model, Mitsubishi linked the brake pedal usage to the regenerative braking system while also fitting an Active Stability Control (ASC) system as standard.
Mitsubishi said that since the original i-MiEV went on sale for consumers in April 2010, it has delivered 4,000 cars in Japan and has exported more than 10,000 units including those supplied to PSA Peugeot Citroen. The company plans to sell around 6,000 examples of the updated i-MiEV in Japan and 25,000 unit worldwide within the next year.

Mitsubishi i EV Priced from $20,490 in the U.S., Close to $5,000 Less than Nissan’s Leaf 

The main reason for which Mitsubishi will drop the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant models from its U.S. range is to focus on developing zero-emissions vehicles like the Mitsubishi i (also known as the i-MiEV in Europe). The Japanese carmaker announced at the New York Auto Show that the plug-in EV will arrive in U.S. showrooms in November 2011, with prices starting from $20,490 (€14,100) for the standard ES model and $22,490 for the better-equipped ES version, government subsidies included. Benefiting from up to $7,500 (€5,160) in federal tax credit, the Mitsubishi i is the most affordable 100% electric-powered mass-market production vehicle available in North America. At $20,490, the i is almost $5,000 cheaper than the Nissan Leaf ($25,280), although the latter is a compact model, while the Mitsubishi i is a sub-compact.
Powered by Mitsubishi's MiEV technology, the rear-wheel drive i features a 66 horsepower synchronous electric motor, a 330V lithium-ion battery pack that can store up to 16 kWh and a single fixed reduction gear transmission. The electric motor produces a peak torque of 145 lb-ft (196 Nm) and allows for a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).
The car has a driving range of 85 miles (137 km) on a complete charge. Full charging takes 6 hours on a 240V/15A Level 2 home EVSE Eaton charging system and 22.5 hours on a conventional outlet. However, the batteries can be charged up to 80 percent of their capacity in 30 minutes at a public quick-charging station. The batteries have an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.
Standard equipment includes an electric air condition system and cabin heater, power windows and mirrors, 4-speaker 100-watt audio system and the MiEV remote system that allows the battery to be charged via timer and the pre-activation of the air conditioning or heater.
The Mitsubishi i will arrive in U.S. showrooms by November 2011 in California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Northeastern U.S. market launch will take place in March 2012, with nationwide availability expected by December 2012.

Last Stand: Mitsubishi Sends Off Eclipse with 2012 SE Special Edition Series 

 

Produced since 2006, the fourth generation Mitsubishi Eclipse is nearing the end of its career and to mark the occasion, the Japanese manufacturer has announced a final special edition for the Coupe and Spyder models. As Mitsubishi will cease production of the Eclipse after the upcoming 2012 model year without offering a replacement model, the SE Special Edition is the manufacturer's way of saying goodbye to a model series produced since 1989.
All Eclipse trim levels (GS, GS Sport and GT) will be available as SE Special Edition versions which includes “SE” side decals, black side mirrors and 18-inch dark finish alloy wheels, along with the high-end standard features available on the Eclipse GS Sport versions of both the coupe and convertible models.
Standard equipment includes leather upholstery with heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat, rearview camera, Bluetooth hands-free phone access, heated side mirrors and a 9-speaker, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio. The coupe version also includes a sunroof.
The Eclipse SE Special Edition will be available with two engine options: a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 162-horsepower (in the GS/GS Sport models) or a 265-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine (for the GT model). The latter is mated to a 5-speed Sportronic automatic transmission that allows the driver to manually select gearshifts when desired. GT-based SE models also get an automatic climate control system.
Prices have not yet been announced.

Mitsubishi Flexis Concept Study: David Cardoso’s Ford C-Max Rival 

 

The current generation Mitsubishi Grandis is a good representation of the Japanese automaker as a whole. Plastic-y interiors, underdone ride and handling and anodyne looks combine to make the Grandis a poor substitute for the vastly superior and better selling Toyota Tarago [Australia]. With its South Korean competition having long ago stepped up to the plate, it’s disappointing to see Mitsubishi lagging so far behind. David Cardoso, the artist who in the past has brought us design studies such as Renault Twist MPV and Audi Hydron, has envisioned a possible successor to the Grandis in the form of the Flexis. Appearing to be smaller than the Grandis - with seating more likely for five instead of seven - the Flexis takes it’s styling cues from the Opel Meriva, Peugeot 3008 and 2012 Ford Focus.
Overall it’s a good expansion on Mitsubishi’s current design language, and a far sight better than when Mitsubishi tried applying its new corporate face to the aging Colt. You can check out our full gallery below or voice your opinion in the comments section below.

Mitsubishi Unveils New Concept-Global Small in Geneva, Previews Colt Replacement 

 

The 81st Geneva Motor Show saw Mitsubishi taking the wraps off its new Concept-Global Small vehicle that will essentially lead to a replacement for the firm's Colt supermini. The troubled Japanese automaker said the actual production version will be revealed towards the end of this year, prior to a start of production scheduled for early 2012 at a new plant currently being built in Thailand, the company's third factory in the region. The automaker said its new B-segment model will be proposed as an entry vehicle for emerging markets as well as a fuel efficient car in developed markets.
Other details on the production model remain scarce with Mitsubishi simply stating that powertrain options will include 1.0-liter to 1.2-liter engines, and that depending on the market, certain versions will be equipped with with a regenerative braking system and start-stop technology, as well as a new-generation CVT and low rolling resistance tires.

Vilner Joins Forces with Overdrive to Tune 400HP Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 

After tuning several American and European cars, Vilner has now turned its focus on a Japanese model, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X. For this project, the Bulgarian tuning house joined forces with a company called Overdrive, which took over the performance upgrades. As you can see in the two videos after the jump, (the exterior photo was shot before the light modifications), Vilner replaced the standard Lancer EVO X's headlamps and tail lights with brand new LED units.
Inside, the Bulgarian studio gave the Lancer a black leather upholstery treatment with white colored accents and stitching, along with a black alcantara roof lining and carbon trim on the steering wheel and gear lever. A pair of OMP front bucket seats and the piano black decorative trim round off the interior changes.
On its part, Overdrive fitted the Japanese sports sedan with carbon elements on the outside along with 18-inch Weds Sports alloy wheels, a Greddy exhaust system, an adjustable K-sport suspension and finished up with a power kit that boosts the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine's output to 400-horses.

Mitsubishi GalEA Four-Door Sportcoupé Design Concept by Gábor Farkas 

In the beginning of the year, we showed you a very production-like concept study for a new generation of the Colt sub-compact called the Concept CS, which was created by Gábor Farkas. The independent designer has now sent us yet another Mitsubishi study, this time for a replacement to the Galant sedan. The concept is named GalEA and is said to draw its inspiration from the previous, sharper-looking eighth generation Galant of the late 1990s, while sharing similar design cues with the smaller Concept CS. In a 180 degree turn, the designer re-imagined the Galant as a more distinct and aggressive looking four-door coupe model with a long hood, sloping roof, pillarless doors and a stumpy rear end.
Follow the jump to read Gábor's description of the project and to get a closer look at the sporty Mitsubishi saloon in our high-res gallery and CGI videos.





MITSUBISHI GALEA [From Gábor Farkas]
Mitsubishi GalEA is a design study that uses styling elements of the recent Mitsubishi 'jet-fighter' design language. It was born to revive the 1997 Galant EA as a four-door coupé. The EA inspired the 'jet-fighter' design language and now it returns as a four-door sportcoupé.
This time, the design of the car was teased via the Mitsubishi GalEA Facebook page and the final result has been refined at some point according to user-reactions.
At the front you can recognize some details that were borrowed from the Mitsubishi Concept RA but the other parts of the body have an individual new styling with waving lines which have already been introduced on the Mitsubishi Concept CS.
The wheelbase and the proportions of the body also hint at a front engine with rear wheel drive layout. In the inside you can see premium materials and four individual seats. The dashboard has clear and elegant styling.
About the name: it refers to the Galant EA but also has another meaning. A galea was a Roman soldier's helmet. Some gladiators also wore a bronze galea with a face mask and a decoration, often a fish on its crest.

Main dimensions

length: 4745 mm (186.8 in)
width: 1948 mm (79.7 in)
height: 1343 mm (52.9 in)
front track: 1722 mm (67.8 in)
rear track: 1706 mm (67.2 in)
wheelbase: 3070 mm (120.9 in)
length/wheelbase ration: 1.55
wheels: 205/40 R 18

Mitsubishi Flexis Concept Study: David Cardoso’s Ford C-Max Rival 

The current generation Mitsubishi Grandis is a good representation of the Japanese automaker as a whole. Plastic-y interiors, underdone ride and handling and anodyne looks combine to make the Grandis a poor substitute for the vastly superior and better selling Toyota Tarago [Australia]. With its South Korean competition having long ago stepped up to the plate, it’s disappointing to see Mitsubishi lagging so far behind. David Cardoso, the artist who in the past has brought us design studies such as Renault Twist MPV and Audi Hydron, has envisioned a possible successor to the Grandis in the form of the Flexis. Appearing to be smaller than the Grandis - with seating more likely for five instead of seven - the Flexis takes it’s styling cues from the Opel Meriva, Peugeot 3008 and 2012 Ford Focus.
Overall it’s a good expansion on Mitsubishi’s current design language, and a far sight better than when Mitsubishi tried applying its new corporate face to the aging Colt. You can check out our full gallery below or voice your opinion in the comments section below.

Mitsubishi Releases No-Frills Lancer 1.5 Juro Special Edition for the UK 

The Mitsubishi Lancer nobody really wants but almost everyone gets across the pond has become a bit more desirable in the UK with the launch of a new special edition, which as usual translates to additional equipment at a more competitive price. The new edition is called Juro and is based on the Lancer 1.5 GS2 hatchback, which is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine gasping out 107-horses and 143Nm or 105 lb-ft of peak torque. The Lancer Juro comes equipped with black leather seats and an integrated Kenwood multimedia system that comprises Garmin Satellite Navigation, Parrott Bluetooth, iPod connection lead and reversing camera as standard.
Other standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, alarm, leather steering wheel with audio controls, electric windows, mirrors and locks, and a color-keyed rear spoiler to keep all those ponies close to the ground.
In the UK, the Lancer 1.5 Juro hatch is priced at £14,749, which includes free metallic paint and VAT.

No Really, this is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider and it's Powered by a Subaru Turbo Boxer! 

Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break. 

Mitsubishi to Phase Out Most of its U.S.-made Models by 2014 

Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko today announced that the automaker will kill most of its current lineup of U.S.-made vehicles by 2014, as part of the company's “Jump 2013” mid-term business plan. The decision affects the Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder sports cars, Endeavor crossover and Galant sedan, which are going to be replaced with global vehicles built at the manufacturer’s Illinois plant. The Outlander crossover, Outlander Sport small crossover and Lancer sedan will provide the underpinnings for the new models. According to Mr. Masuko, these changes won’t affect U.S. sales. In fact, he predicted that sales and production numbers will increase, albeit no target has been specified.
“Our sales in North America will increase”, Masuko said. “We'll still be selling cars brought in from Japan, and we'll be adding the global small car as well”.
When it comes to combined sales, Mitsubishi expects the Japanese, North American and European markets to register a jump of 90,000 units over the next three years.
Furthermore, the company is exploring other possibilities to gain much needed market share as well.
One plan of action will see Mitsubishi rolling out no less than eight electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by early 2016, including a small commercial truck version of the i-MIEV and plug-in hybrid SUV based on the Px-MiEV concept car shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
Mitsubishi also wants to bring its new global small car to the U.S. and target emerging markets with new models, such as a 1-ton pickup truck that could be jointly developed with Nissan.

Mitsubishi Lifts the Wraps on New Global Small Concept before Geneva Salon Debut

It all started with a teaser sketch in early December '10, but today, Mitsubishi released the first real life photo of its Concept Global Small vehicle. The design study previews an upcoming subcompact model that is planned for production in March of 2012 at the Japanese firm's new third factory in Thailand, which will have an initial capacity for around 150,000 units per year. Mitsubishi has not yet confirmed the markets for launch or detailed specifications on the production version of the new entry-level model. However, the company did note that the Global Small concept car will feature a fuel efficient 1.0-liter / 1.2-liter engine equipped with a regenerative braking system and start-stop technology, as well as a new-generation CVT and low rolling resistance tires.
We'll have more details on Mitsubishi's new sub-compact model after its debut at the Geneva motorshow, which opens in the beginning of March.