1994 Mitsubishi 3000gt on 2040-cars

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Ralliart returns to America for 2023

Mitsubishi announced Wednesday that its storied Ralliart nameplate will return to showrooms for the 2023 model year. The company let slip that its performance sub-brand would make a comeback more than a year ago and even revived it for a show car in Tokyo, but this is the first example of a for-real product shipping with Ralliart branding since it was kicked to the curb in 2010 — years before the compact Lancer it most famously graced was formally discontinued.  For now at least, it appears Ralliart will be a largely aesthetic makeover, with alterations limited to "unique body effects, graphics and other rally-inspired touches." We wouldn't be surprised to see larger wheels, sportier tires and perhaps even some suspension adjustments enter the mix down the line, but for now, Mitsubishi seems content to set modest expectations. Look for variants of the Outlander, Outlander PHEV, Eclipse Cross, Outlander Sport and Mirage, all of which will be built in "limited" numbers.  Elsewhere in 2023 model year news, the Mirage is losing its manual transmission option in favor of a standard CVT, and its base price will increase by $1,600 accordingly. The Outlander Sport and Eclipse Cross will now come standard with AWD, and the latter's base price will increase to $27,140 (including $1,345 for destination). Mitsubishi says more pricing and trim information for the lineup will be provided at a later date, along with more information about the new Outlander plug-in hybrid; the car itself will arrive in showrooms in Q4.  Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mitsubishi still wants to bolster US sedan lineup, investigating options

Mitsubishi looked healthy in 2014 with a nice sales boost for the year, but so far 2015 hasn't been quite so pleasant with news of product delays or outright cancelations. The Japanese brand isn't letting the setbacks get it down, though, and is still planning for the future. Perhaps the biggest recent disappointment was that Mitsubishi and the Renault-Nissan Alliance scuttled plans to bring a South Korean-built, midsize sedan to the US under Mitsu's branding. The scheme was first announced in late 2013 and would have given the Japanese automaker a replacement for the long-retired Galant. According to Automotive News, the decision came because high exchange rates with the Korean won and Japanese yen against the US dollar made the Asian-built vehicle too costly. Mitsubishi isn't throwing in the towel on the possibility of a larger four-door in the US, just yet. One solution might be retooling the company's US factory in Normal, IL. According to Automotive News, the plant current exports over half of the Outlander Sport units that it builds. That capacity could switch to a new sedan, some of which could also be for shipment abroad. The Outlander Plug-in Hybrid is also being delayed until the second quarter of 2015 in the US. The electrified crossover has proven popular in other markets but has seen multiple postponements in going on sale here. In the meantime, there are a few new products coming down the line. The Mirage Sedan is eventually launching in the US, and the Lancer is reportedly getting a refresh soon. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Koji Sasahara / AP Photo Plants/Manufacturing Mitsubishi Sedan

Japan plans real-world diesel emissions test after companies fail

Japan's transport ministry plans to start real-world diesel emissions tests after an experiment found four models from Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi that produced more nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than the nation's rules allow, according to The Japan Times. Regulators there usually only perform emissions checks in the lab. The VW diesel scandal has everyone double-checking their figures. Diesel versions of the Toyota Hiace van, Land Cruiser Prado, and Nissan X-Trail produced up to 10 times more NOx than allowed. The Mitsubishi Delica D:5 was up to five times over the limit, The Wall Street Journal reports. There was no evidence of defeat devices in the vehicles. Mazda performed well in the experiment, though. The CX-5 passed with nearly the same results on the road and in the lab. The Demio, better known as the Mazda2, did nearly as well with only slighter higher figures in the real world than in the controlled setting. The experimenters theorized the reason for the excessive emissions was that cold weather caused the engines' software to shut off the exhaust gas recirculation to prevent damage, according to the WSJ. However, this behavior also increased NOx production. Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi don't have to worry about punishment from the transport ministry because this check was just an experiment. Their models already passed the mandated lab tests, which was the only requirement, according to The Japan Times. As governments begin greater real-world emissions tests, the results suggests diesels aren't very clean. A recent check in France found models from Ford, Renault, and Mercedes-Benz that didn't perform up to the standards. Regulators in India conducted similar evaluations and ordered VW to recall over 300,000 vehicles. Related Video: