2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Oz Rally Sedan 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Spectator killed in seventh stage of Dakar Rally

Not surprisingly, tragedy has struck at the Dakar Rally this year. A vehicle hit a spectator in the seventh stage of the rally on Saturday, along the stretch between Uyuni, Bolivia, and Salta, Argentina. Running in 52nd place, the Mitsubishi Lancer driven by French contestant Lionel Baud hit a 63-year-old spectator. Emergency medical personnel responded to the accident, only to declare the man dead on the scene. This was the second time a competing vehicle collided with spectators in this year's event. During the Prologue stage a week ago, Guo Meiling drove her Mini into a crowd of spectators, injuring eleven – including a father and son who were hospitalized in critical condition. This is the first time, however, that a death occurred as part of the rally since 2013, when a support vehicle collided with two taxis in Peru and killed two. Though still in progress, this year's rally has been dominated thus far by the Peugeot team. All but the opening Prologue stage have been won by the French team, with Sebastien Loeb winning three out of six full stages run so far. His teammate Stephane Peterhansel has won another two, while Carlos Sainz won the tragic seventh stage on Saturday. Following Sunday's rest day, there remain another six stages before the rally concludes in Rosario on January 16.

Mitsubishi teases world premiere of new PHEV concept ahead of Geneva

It was a little disappointing to find out that Mitsubishi's "return of a legend" for the 2015 Chicago Auto Show would simply be the North American debut of the GC-PHEV concept. The crossover has a chunky, rugged design that's somewhat attractive, but it's not exactly new to the motoring world. Apparently, the Japanese brand understands the desire to see what's next because the company is now teasing the world premiere of a concept for the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March. Mitsubishi promises that the still-unnamed concept "is a 'declaration of intent'" for the company's future. The only real hints that the brand drops about the vehicle is that it features a next-gen, two-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid powertrain and is a crossover. Judging from Mitsubishi's two teaser images, the design appears to be cribbing a lot from the brand's own XR-PHEV concept. Up front, the angular nose and headlight design look almost identical, and the pointed rear with integrated taillights seems basically the same, as well. Hopefully, the Japanese brand has something clever going on here and isn't just slightly tweaking a previous design. MITSUBISHI MOTORS AT GENEVA MOTORSHOW 2015 CONCEPT CAR WORLD PREMIERE – A DECLARATION OF INTENT 27/01/15 TOKYO - "A future-oriented attitude: powerful, fast and dynamic". This is the theme of the 85th International Geneva Motor Show official poster in perfect synergy with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's (MMC's) confident presence this year; from a new dramatic booth design to the sharpness of an all-new concept car. A world premiere in Geneva, the striking concept car is a 'declaration of intent' for MMC's future directions -a powerful embodiment of its next generation 2WD plug-in hybrid electric ("PHEV") technology as well as its bold design renaissance, all contained in Mitsubishi Motors' favorite format of the SUV crossover. The all new Mitsubishi Motors concept - a smart combination of engineering, fluency with a high-output electric motor, low environmental impact, dynamic agility and athletic design. -ENDS -

Ukraine orders 651 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs for national police

While Mitsubishi has seen happier times – with lagging North American sales and a recent fuel economy scandal – there's still at least one ray of hope for the Japanese automaker. Its plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander is quite popular in many markets, and it's about to get a whole lot more popular in another one. The Ukraine has placed an order for 651 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs for use by its national police force. Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Arsen Avakov, first announced the news on Twitter, and linked to a statement going into more detail. As part of a plan emerging from the Kyoto Protocol, the Natspolitsiya (as the police force is called) are ditching their aging, Russian-made UAZ and AvtoVAZ vehicles for the greener option from the less-at-war-with-them Japan. The Outlander PHEV, which was refreshed for the 2017 model year, is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine as well as two electric motors. Its 12-kWh battery provides about 22 miles of real-world, all-electric driving range. It's quite popular in Europe, so we might want to pay attention, as it will arrive in the US later this year. "So, gentlemen, Ukrainian policemen! You will receive 651 new and unique modern powerful eco-friendly hybrid crossover Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV," says Avakov in his statement. "The people of Ukraine hopes that you will be worthy of this innovation! Serve with honor!" No pressure. Furthermore, Avakov quipped in a Facebook post – with a smile and a wink – that his "advertising" for Mitsubishi ought to net the Natspolitsiya a 652nd vehicle. Related Video: