1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs Hatchback 2-door on 2040-cars

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Mitsubishi rumored to plan a revival of the Lancer Evolution

To the dismay of countless hardcore enthusiasts and JDM fans, Mitsubishi long ago announced that it killed off its sports cars, such as the Eclipse and the legendary Lancer Evolution, to focus more on electric vehicles, hybrids, and SUVs. Rubbing salt in the wound even further was the fact that Mitsubishi repurposed its coveted Eclipse nameplate to a crossover. But now, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. AutoCarUK reportedly received word that Mitsubishi could be bringing back the Lancer Evolution. There's no official word with the outlet citing anonymous sources, and there's still a cloud of doubt hovering, given Mitsubishi made its near-future trajectory fairly clear. But there could be a smidgen of hope that all is not lost with the tiny Japanese automaker. Should the word be accurate, the new Lancer Evolution XI — as it would likely be called since it would be the 11th-generation model — could get a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant lifted straight from the hot-hatch version of the Renault Megane known as the Megane RS. The same dual-clutch automatic would also find its way into the Evo, though Mitsubishi would supposedly be left to its own vices to develop an all-new S-AWC all-wheel drive system. The Renault Megane RS is quite the hot hatch, so its power and drivetrain wouldn't be out of place in a new Evo. It produces 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the Mitsu's direct rival, the WRX STi, produces 310 hp and 290 lb-ft. But should Mitsubishi proceed, the company seeks to one-up Subaru's limited-edition WRX STi S209, which produces 341 hp and 319 lb-ft. Don't forget, Mitsubishi joined the Renault-Nissan alliance in 2016, and Nissan owns a 43% stake in Mitsubishi. There are even rumors that Mitsubishi could add in a new 48-volt electrical system, which could give the new Evo "mild-hybrid" capabilities. That basically adds an electric motor-generator somewhere on the engine or within the drivetrain that not only doubles as a gas-engine starter and an electricity generator, but a drive motor as well. A 48-volt system would also give the new Evo the ability to house more computing power to allow for more kinds of technology. The new Evo would also utilize the alliance's latest modular CMF-C/D F4 platform that's currently under cooperative development between Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.

US expands probe into ZF-TRW airbag failure-to-deploy to 12.3 million vehicles

DETROIT — U.S. auto safety regulators have expanded an investigation into malfunctioning airbag controls to include 12.3 million vehicles because the bags may not inflate in a crash. The problem could be responsible for as many as eight deaths. Vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler from the 2010 through 2019 model years are included in the probe, which was revealed Tuesday in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It involves airbag control units made by ZF-TRW that were installed in the vehicles. The control units can fail in a crash, possibly because of unwanted electrical signals produced by the crash itself that can disable an air bag control circuit housed in the passenger compartment, according to NHTSA documents. The electrical signals can damage the control circuit, the documents say. ZF, a German auto parts maker which acquired TRW Automotive in 2015, said in a statement that it's committed to safety and is cooperating with NHTSA and automakers in the investigation. The case is another in a long list of problems with auto industry airbags, including faulty and potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators. At least 24 people have been killed worldwide and more than 200 injured by the inflators, which can explode with too much force and hurl dangerous shrapnel into the passenger cabin. The inflators touched off the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history involving with as many as 70 million inflators to be recalled by the end of next year. About 100 million inflators are to be recalled worldwide. On April 19, NHTSA upgraded the ZF-TRW probe from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, which is a step closer toward seeking recalls. So far, only Hyundai and Kia and Fiat Chrysler have issued recalls in the case. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles. NHTSA opened an investigation in March of 2017 involving the TRW parts in Hyundais and Kias. The upgrade came after investigators found two recent serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the airbags did not inflate. One person was killed. Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit consumer group, said the ZF-TRW case shows the auto industry thus far has learned very little from Takata.

Mitsubishi XR-PHEV Concept is a chronicle of an Outlander Sport foretold [w/video]

Mitsubishi's current Outlander Sport has done a yeoman's job since it came on the market for the 2011 model year. The affordable crossover has been one of the few bright spots in the perennially troubled automaker's lineup - it's the brand's best seller in the US and sales are up nearly 40 percent this year. The subcompact CUV has become an increasingly important part of the Mitsubishi lineup, which is why you should pay attention to this XR-PHEV Concept - it's said to presage the next-generation model.
Stylistically, this is a pretty bold little CUV, with a striking face framed by bold zig-zags of chrome that underline the narrow headlamps and frame the massive lower fascia. The profile has a dramatically tapered greenhouse with bold sheetmetal contours and a funky blacked-out A-pillar that emphasizes the hood's height. The rear end is no less dramatic, with dual-pane rear tailgate with a particularly fast rake.
As shown here, the XR-PHEV (pronounced "Cross Runner") is a four-seat CUV that motivates its front wheels through a turbocharged 1.1-liter, three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower paired with a 120-kW electric motor. In pure-electric mode, the 14-kWh battery is said to be good for 52 miles of cruising range and the combined fuel economy bogey is 66 miles per gallon on Japan's lenient testing cycle.