Posted on Thursday 28 February 2008
Mitsubishi may have pulled its manufacturing operations out of Australia but that doesn’t mean the carmaker’s Aussie subsidiary will be totally ignoring this week’s Melbourne Motor Show. Unveiled today in Melbourne was a range of new ‘Panther’ concepts, with the Colt hatch, Lancer sedan (pictured), Grandis people mover, Triton ute and Pajero 4×4 three-door all getting striking black paint and the trademark ‘Panther Claw’ detailing.
Lowered ride height gives all of the Panthers a sporty, aggressive stance and each car receives specific additional equipment to create a unique look. The Lancer version gets 20in chrome wheels, side skirts, fog lamps, scuff plates and a chrome exhaust tip in addition to the custom Panther paintwork and decals.
The Triton concept gets an even tougher look, with 22in wheels, a hard tonneau cover, front and rear bumper extenders, a chrome upper grille surround, upper and lower mesh, chrome head and tail lamp bezels, and scuff plates. The three-door Pajero also gets the 22in chrome wheels, as well as a lowered ride height, custom bodykit, illuminated scuff plates and a chrome exhaust tip. The Colt and Grandis models, meanwhile, make do with smaller 16in wheels and subtle body enhancements.
For now these vehicles are being called concepts but some of the new components will eventually be available for sale.
On 90% of the cases stock wheels, the ones they are designed with straight from the manufacturer, are the ones that look best on a car. I guess Mitsubishi decided to just go straight to the BLING wheels of racer boys and forgo all taste then.
BTW, *Pajero* means masturbator in Spanish. Just thought they’d like to know.
The Triton must be Darth Vader’s official ride. It looks like it came right off the Death Star.
What? You guys aren’t excited about the “Panther Claw” detailing? Somewhere, someone’s whole job was coming up with that integral design component! I can’t believe that you wouldn’t want a pre-scratched car. You’ll never have to worry about stone chips or key-scratches again - it’ll just be another integrated carefully styled design component…