1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Gst Convertible 2-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV coming before the end of the year

Mitsubishi was the first automaker to market with an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid crossover, the Outlander PHEV, which went on sale in some parts of the world as long ago as 2013. It hit the U.S. market in 2016 as a 2017 model and was just updated for 2021 with a more powerful electrified drivetrain and a bigger battery pack. But it was still based on the old Outlander architecture instead of the completely new non-PHEV Outlander that launched as a 2022 model and shared a lot of its underpinnings with the Nissan Rogue. Now Mitsubishi says an all-new Outlander PHEV will hit its home market of Japan before the calendar closes on 2021 and will debut in the States in the middle of 2022. As expected, it will be built on the automaker's latest crossover chassis, a vastly improved platform that benefits greatly from the automaker's partnerships with Nissan and Renault. We don't have any specific details, but Mitsubishi says we can expect "improved motor output and increased battery capacity over the current model." That means "more powerful road performance and greater driving range." As competent as the current Outlander PHEV is, more power, greater range and improved driving dynamics courtesy of a new chassis are all excellent benefits, which is good since the Outlander PHEV faces awfully tough competition, particularly in the form of the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Plus, the new Outlander PHEV has an ace up its sleeve: Mitsubishi says this of its upcoming PHEV: "integrated components and an optimized layout allow the new model to accommodate seven passengers in three rows." That's all we know so far. But as soon as we have more details, so will you. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mitsubishi could race in rallies again, but not with a new Lancer Evo

Mitsubishi could make a long-awaited comeback to the world of rally racing in the coming years. It's open to injecting more performance into its range, but its need for speed won't spawn a new version of the Lancer Evolution. Speaking to investors during a shareholder meeting held in Japan, company boss Takao Kato explained the first step towards making quicker, more exciting cars was reviving the Ralliart brand in May 2021. "We plan to expand [Ralliart] to a wide range of models as genuine accessories first, but we will also consider involvement in rallies," the CEO stated, according to Japanese publication Response. Crucially, a racing program has not been approved yet. How a potential return to rallying would be orchestrated remains to be seen. In the past, Mitsubishi's rally superstar was the Lancer Evolution (pictured), which retired without a successor in 2015. The firm's current range consists of crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks with the exception of the Mirage, which is likely too small to credibly turn into a rally car. While it's tempting to speculate a return to racing will bring the Evo back to the range, even without a Lancer to build it on, Kato doused cold water on the years-old rumors mapping out the nameplate's future. He stressed a next-generation Evo is not in the pipeline, even though Mitsubishi's shareholders are requesting one. "Electrification is expensive, and we're still not strong enough. We ended the previous fiscal year with a big deficit," Kato said. "First, we need to revive the company. Then, we'll look into putting out the cars fans are waiting for." His plans to revive the company include launching a number of mainstream models in rapid-fire succession. The Mirage, the Eclipse Cross, and the Outlander Sport recently benefited from an array of updates, most of which were reasonably well received, and the new Outlander was unveiled earlier in 2021 with dramatic improvements. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Mitsubishi celebrates 40 years in the U.S. with special-edition Outlander

Mitsubishi's North American division is celebrating its 40th birthday by releasing a special-edition Outlander called the Anniversary Edition. The commemorative SUV receives a specific two-tone paint job, "40th Anniversary" emblems, and more equipment and features. Dodge and Plymouth sold Mitsubishi models as captive imports for over a decade before the Japanese company established an American division in Fountain Valley, California, in 1981. Sales started in 1982 for the 1983 model year with a range that consisted of the Cordia, the Tredia, and the Starion. Fast-forward to 2023 and the Outlander gets the honor of celebrating 40 years of Mitsubishi in the United States. You don't need to be a seasoned car-spotter to tell the Outlander 40th Anniversary Edition apart from the regular-production model. Visually, it stands out with Black Diamond paint, a bronze-painted roof, a bright "OUTLANDER" emblem on the hood, and a rear bumper protector. Inside, it offers scuff plates on the door sills and an illuminated center console. It's based on the range-topping SEL Premium Package trim, so it's relatively highly-equipped: The list of standard features includes leather upholstery, a Bose sound system, and a head-up display. On sale now across the nation, the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander 40th Anniversary Edition carries a base price of $41,340 including a $1,345 destination charge. For context, the Outlander SEL Premium Package that the Anniversary Edition is based on costs $38,190. The plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander 40th Anniversary Edition offers the exact same list of equipment and edition-specific features but costs $51,340. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.