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Mitsubishi confirms pair of MiEV Evolution II electric racecars for Pikes Peak

Preparing for next month's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Mitsubishi - the presenting sponsor of this year's PPIHC - has unveiled its entrant for the race: the all-electric MiEV Evolution II. Building off last year's MiEV-inspired entrant, the Evolution II has received numerous improvements, including a more powerful electric drive system, a lower center of gravity and even a more traditional racecar look. Driving a pair of MiEV Evolution II models this year will be Hiroshi Masuoka from Mitsubishi vehicle development and six-time PPIHC motorcycle winner, Greg Tracy.
Both MiEV Evolution II racers employ a quartet of electric motors (last year's car used just three), and output has been increased from 280 kilowatts (375 horsepower) up to 400 KW (536 hp). For improved handling, the cars' lithium-ion battery packs help provide lower centers of gravity, and both Masuoka's and Tracy's cars have received active yaw control, stability control and redesigned anti-lock braking systems. Hopefully, this will help them stick to the mountain better. As previously mentioned, even their look has changed, with less of a wide-body i-MiEV feel and more of a racecar appearance. We think the finished product would actually make for a pretty cool Le Mans Prototype racer, or perhaps an electrically powered rival for trackday cars like those from Radical.

2023 Mitsubishi Triton pickup unveiled, rally-bound model announced

Developed for global markets, the new Mitsubishi Triton made its debut with a rugged-looking exterior design, a more modern interior and a new frame, among other improvements. The brand will show off just how tough its new truck is by entering it in a grueling rally later in 2023. Sold as the L200 in some markets, the sixth-generation Triton is new from the ground up. It's bigger than its predecessor, built on a beefier frame, and it wears a more angular design characterized by a tall, upright front end, a boxier cab, and squared-off wheel arches. Buyers can select a single, club or double cab, and the truck's exterior appearance varies significantly depending on the trim level selected. Mitsubishi's press images show a nicely-equipped trim level aimed at private users; more basic trucks designed for commercial buyers are available, too. The same applies to the interior; what you get largely depends on what you paid for. Upmarket trim levels benefit from an almost SUV-like interior with a wireless device charger, USB-C outlets, a touchscreen-based infotainment system and Mitsubishi Connect compatibility. The truck hasn't forgotten its roots, however: all of the switches and knobs were designed to be comfortably used while wearing gloves. Power for the Triton comes from a new, 2.4-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine called 4N16 internally. It's offered in several states of tune. The base engine develops 146 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the mid-range version posts figures of 181 and 317, respectively, while the range-topping variant puts 201 horses and 347 pound-feet of twist under the driver's right foot. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission come standard, while four-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission, or both can be added at an extra cost. Mitsubishi redesigned the suspension system with an eye on on-road comfort, though it stresses that its engineers didn't sacrifice the truck's off-road capacity. The front end carries on with double wishbones, while the back end gets lighter leaf springs and thicker shock absorbers. Several small but important changes round out the updates, including wider side steps and a repositioned engine oil pan drain plug. On sale now in Thailand, where it's manufactured, the new Mitsubishi Triton will gradually be launched in numerous global markets over the next few months. It will notably be available on the Japanese market for the first time in 12 years starting in early 2024.

Nissan to pull out of venture fund with Renault in cost-cutting drive, insiders say

TOKYO — Nissan is likely to pull out from a venture capital fund it runs with alliance partners Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, as part of the Japanese automaker's drive to cut costs and conserve cash, two sources said. Nissan will formally take a decision on whether to leave the fund, Alliance Ventures, by the end of this month, the two Nissan insiders told Reuters, declining to be identified because the information has not been made public. The likely move comes after Nissan's junior partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corp, told an alliance meeting last week that it would no longer continue to inject money into the fund, one of the sources said. The decision to leave the Amsterdam-based fund was all but a done deal, the other source said, adding: "Of course we're out. The house is on fire." A Nissan spokeswoman said it was speculation and declined to comment. A Mitsubishi spokesman said no decision had been made. The move comes as Nissan — which has seen its earnings slump — is now facing a downturn in China, its biggest market, due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. China sales plunged 80% last month. It also highlights the extent of the automaker's cost-cutting under new CEO Makoto Uchida, who is under pressure for a quick turnaround. Alliance Ventures is aimed at finding "learning opportunities" for the alliance through investing in startups, and is supposed get up to $200 million (153.3 million pounds) a year from the three alliance partners, although it never achieves that full amount, the first source said. It was set up under former alliance head Carlos Ghosn, whose dramatic arrest in Japan culminated in an escape to his childhood home of Lebanon in December. Ghosn faces multiple charges in Japan, including of under-reporting earnings and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies. According to its website, the fund was set up with a $200 million initial investment and aims for up to $1 billion by 2023. Portfolio companies include WeRide, a Chinese robo-taxi startup and Tekion Corp, a cloud-based retail platform for cars. "It wasn't established by Ghosn as a way to make money. It was for those learning opportunities we get from investing in smart startups," the first source said. "But given the tough financial situation we are facing, we are looking at investment return." Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by David Dolan/Louise Heavens/Susan Fenton.