Motor Authority - blog Category: Mitsubishi

Not so long ago the idea of a hybrid powertrain in a sports car was anathema to enthusiasts. But after this year's Formula 1 season, the debut of cars like the Tesla Roadster and Audi's all-electric R8 e-Tron at Frankfurt and the wider acceptance of hybrids in general by the buying public, it's not so unimaginable anymore. It's also at least a real possibility for the next-generation of one of the biggest performance bargains of the decade--the Mitsubishi Evolution Lancer.

Mitsubishi is set to unveil a new proprietary plug-in hybrid system in the Concept PX MiEV (pictured) at this month’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The new system combines...

Not so long ago the idea of a hybrid powertrain in a sports car was anathema to enthusiasts. But after this year's Formula 1 season, the debut of cars like the Tesla Roadster and Audi's all-electric R8 e-Tron at Frankfurt and the wider acceptance of hybrids in general by the buying public, it's not so unimaginable anymore. It's also at least a real possibility for the next-generation of one of the biggest performance bargains of the decade--the Mitsubishi Evolution Lancer. Mitsubishi is set to unveil a new proprietary plug-in hybrid system in the Concept PX MiEV (pictured) at this month’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The new system combines differential electric motors with Mitsubishi’s Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system--already found in the Evo--and electronically controlled active yaw control. The front and rear wheels are powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors, while a compact four-cylinder MIVEC engine is also used to power the front wheels or act as a generator. According to latest reports, a similar system could be used in the next-generation Lancer Evolution XI (Evo XI for short). The first production models equipped with the advanced plug-in hybrid system is due in 2013 and company insiders say the technology could be directed at the new Evo eventually. However, due to financial constraints, development on the next-generation Evo has been stalled so any launch of a plug-in hybrid Evo is still years away. [Autocar] Read More

Mitsubishi has released pricing for its range-topping 2010 Lancer Evolution MR Touring, which despite its hefty pricetag comes with an awful lot of performance. The MR Touring has a starting price of $40,990 (not including a $720 destination) fee, which brings into luxury car territory, but for this you get a 291-horsepower turbocharged engine and an assortment of performance parts.

The rest of the package includes a six-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST), Mitsubishi speak for a dual-clutch transmission, two-piece front brake rotors with alloy hats from Brembo, weight saving aluminum panels for the roof, hood and front...

Mitsubishi has released pricing for its range-topping 2010 Lancer Evolution MR Touring, which despite its hefty pricetag comes with an awful lot of performance. The MR Touring has a starting price of $40,990 (not including a $720 destination) fee, which brings into luxury car territory, but for this you get a 291-horsepower turbocharged engine and an assortment of performance parts. The rest of the package includes a six-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST), Mitsubishi speak for a dual-clutch transmission, two-piece front brake rotors with alloy hats from Brembo, weight saving aluminum panels for the roof, hood and front fenders, and 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels with Yokohama tires. Other features include a powered glass sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, a rear diffuser, a lip spoiler, Recaro bucket seats, leather trim, a 40 GB hard-disc infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity and a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system. Some optional goodies we’re sure you’ll want to tick include the $425 rear parking sensors, custom side skirts for $900 and a set of wheel locks for $32. Read More

Mitsubishi has introduced a new range of updates for its Japanese-spec Lancer Evolution X as part of the car’s mid-cycle update. Although the changes are limited to the Japanese market they could preview some planned revisions for the North American models as well.

Coming in for the 2010 model year, the car picks up thicker side skirts and a redesigned bumper that’s 3.3-pounds lighter than the current version. The weight saving comes from the use of lighter plastics up front.

The changes continue inside with a new color LCD screen installed in between the speedo and rev-counter. Mitsubishi has also added new interior trim...

Mitsubishi has introduced a new range of updates for its Japanese-spec Lancer Evolution X as part of the car’s mid-cycle update. Although the changes are limited to the Japanese market they could preview some planned revisions for the North American models as well. Coming in for the 2010 model year, the car picks up thicker side skirts and a redesigned bumper that’s 3.3-pounds lighter than the current version. The weight saving comes from the use of lighter plastics up front. The changes continue inside with a new color LCD screen installed in between the speedo and rev-counter. Mitsubishi has also added new interior trim options, with more padding and insulation installed to improve cabin ambience. Finally, the range-topping GSR Premium Edition loses the five-speed manual gearbox option, which means it’s now offered exclusively with the six-speed twin-clutch SST. Read More

Mitsubishi confirmed more than a year ago that its Concept-cX crossover that starred at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show would eventually enter production and today we have the first spy shots of a prototype for the new model. The compact crossover will be aimed at European markets and be positioned below the current Outlander.

As previewed by the original Concept-cX, the production model, which is going by the name of CX, will likely feature a constant all-wheel drive system. The vehicle will be important for Mitsubishi’s European arm as it will also be a showcase for the company’s environmental awareness by debuting a family of...

Mitsubishi confirmed more than a year ago that its Concept-cX crossover that starred at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show would eventually enter production and today we have the first spy shots of a prototype for the new model. The compact crossover will be aimed at European markets and be positioned below the current Outlander. As previewed by the original Concept-cX, the production model, which is going by the name of CX, will likely feature a constant all-wheel drive system. The vehicle will be important for Mitsubishi’s European arm as it will also be a showcase for the company’s environmental awareness by debuting a family of Euro-5 clean diesel engines. The new engine is planned to have class-leading power output courtesy of a high-efficiency turbocharger and high-efficiency combustion characteristics. Some of the technologies include a variable geometry turbocharger, a diesel particulate filter and a diesel oxidation catalyst. The base engine will be a 136-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder unit churning out 206-pound-feet of torque. It will be mated to Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST gearbox and a custom AWD system. If the CX proves popular, re-skinned versions of the compact crossover could also be sold by French automakers Peugeot and Citroen--just as they did with the current 4007 and C7 SUVs based on the larger Outlander. Read More

The theme for next month’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is quickly shaping up to be an electric one, with yesterday Honda showing off its new CR-Z Concept 2009 hybrid sports car and today Mitsubishi revealing a new plug-in hybrid concept based on its Pajero SUV.

Powered by the new proprietary plug-in hybrid system, which significantly extends the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in all-electric mode, the 2009 Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV promises a fuel economy in excess of 117.6 mpg.

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid system combines differential electric motors with its Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system and...

The theme for next month’s 2009 Tokyo Motor Show is quickly shaping up to be an electric one, with yesterday Honda showing off its new CR-Z Concept 2009 hybrid sports car and today Mitsubishi revealing a new plug-in hybrid concept based on its Pajero SUV. Powered by the new proprietary plug-in hybrid system, which significantly extends the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in all-electric mode, the 2009 Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV promises a fuel economy in excess of 117.6 mpg. Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid system combines differential electric motors with its Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system and electronically controlled active yaw control. The front and rear wheels are powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors, while a 1.6-liter four-cylinder MIVEC engine is also used to power the front wheels or act as a generator. In addition, the vehicle comes with the newly-developed plug-in hybrid system in which electronic circuitry automatically switches to the optimum drive mode for different driving conditions and remaining energy in the drive battery to extract maximum efficiency from the electric motors and from the gasoline engine. Designers looked at almost every elements of the car in an effort to maximize fuel economy. For example, LEDs were used for the head and tail lamps as they use less power than conventional xenon and halogen units, while the wheel hubs feature a special design that helps improve brake cooling as well as aerodynamic performance. The interior was designed to give an image of an airplane cockpit, with an instrument panel that envelops the passengers and plenty of LED elements. The vehicle also features a windshield that uses heat-reflecting glass to reduce the amount of heat energy passing through and uses infrared ray blocking glass in the door windows. The body paint also incorporates heat-reflective and insulation technology. Other technologies incorporated in the vehicle include an ‘around’ monitoring system that uses cameras located at strategic points on the body to provide the driver with a combined image of the full perimeter of the vehicle, as well as advanced vehicle-infrastructure safety support system that relies on roadside optical beacons to warn of other vehicles and pedestrians. Also gracing Mitsubishi's stands will be a concept van based on its i-MiEV dubbed the i-MiEV Cargo. Derived from the compact all-electric minicar, the new concept maximizes the economic efficiency characteristics that define the electric vehicle and at the same time adds a generous amount of rear free space to extend the range of uses to which it can be put by corporate users and self-employed operators in particular. Read More

With Subaru's defection from sedan to hatch-only status for the WRX STI, some fans lost their love for the rally-bred monster and started eying the heretic's choice: the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. But fans of the Lancer have so far been stuck with the opposite problem: no hatchback.

That problem is solved, however - or at least nearly so. There won't be a hatchback version of the Evo X, but the previously announced Lancer Sportback GTS and Ralliart models have been priced for the U.S. today, and with starting prices of just $19,190 for the GTS with a five-speed manual and $27,590 for the 237-horsepower, twin-clutch Ralliart... With Subaru's defection from sedan to hatch-only status for the WRX STI, some fans lost their love for the rally-bred monster and started eying the heretic's choice: the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. But fans of the Lancer have so far been stuck with the opposite problem: no hatchback. That problem is solved, however - or at least nearly so. There won't be a hatchback version of the Evo X, but the previously announced Lancer Sportback GTS and Ralliart models have been priced for the U.S. today, and with starting prices of just $19,190 for the GTS with a five-speed manual and $27,590 for the 237-horsepower, twin-clutch Ralliart version, there's sure to be some serious cross-shopping going on for Subaru and Mitsubishi fans alike. Tuning potential for the Ralliart model is huge - it uses a detuned version of the same 4B11 engine found in the Evo X - and with its use of the TC-SST dual-clutch transmission and standard AWD with active center differential, the Sportback Ralliart is one of the best values on the market, priced almost dead even with Subaru's manual-shifted WRX Premium. For more on the Sportback, including details on the GTS and more on the Ralliart, check out our story on their confirmation for U.S. sale.Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart 2009 Read More