2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 on 2040-cars

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2023 Mitsubishi Triton coming after the Ford Ranger overseas

The next-generation Mitsubishi Triton is coming soon to a trail near you — assuming you live outside of the United States. Known as the L200 in some global markets, the truck was shaped by a new, more rugged-looking design language that Mitsubishi calls "Beast Mode." Dark preview images published by the Japanese brand depict a pickup that has been reinvented from the ground up. While the current Triton features rather unusual proportions characterized by a slanted shut line and a super-sized rear overhang, its successor looks a little more conventional, though we'll make the final call when we see it in the metal. We spot a tall, upright front end with LED accents that Mitsubishi describes as "resembling the sharp gaze of a hawk" and a rectangular grille with both "Mitsubishi" lettering and the company's emblem. 2023 Mitsubishi Triton View 4 Photos We're curious to find out what's under the sheet metal. Mitsubishi recently expanded its European range with badge-engineered Renault models, such as the Clio-based Colt. Nothing suggests that the Triton is a badge-engineered version of another truck, and the current-generation Nissan Navara (which is unrelated to our Frontier) is likely too old to provide its platform. Could it be the other way around? Mitsubishi is part of the Renault-Nissan alliance, and the group strives to achieve economies of scale, so the Triton could also preview the next Navara. Of course, this is pure speculation. Nothing is official at this stage, and Mitsubishi isn't ready to release technical details. It hasn't published images of the interior yet, but a preview video embedded above suggests that upmarket models will receive a free-standing touchscreen for the infotainment system and a dial to select one of the transfer case's different options. Broadly speaking, we're expecting that the next Triton will offer a more SUV-like interior to reflect the fact that, even outside of America, buyers are increasingly using pickups as daily drivers. Mitsubishi will unveil the next-generation Triton in Thailand, where the model will be built, on July 26. The truck will be sold in a long list of nations, including several countries in Latin America and in the Middle East, but it doesn't sound like it will be offered in the United States. Elsewhere, the Triton will compete in an increasingly crowded ring against the Ford Ranger, the Volkswagen Amarok, and the Toyota Hilux. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party.

Junkyard Gem: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback GTS

The Mitsubishi Lancer was available in the United States from the 2002 through 2017 model years, and nearly all of those cars were four-door sedans. The exception was the Lancer Sportback, a name first applied to a 2004-only wagon version and then to a hatchback Lancer sold for the 2010-2014 model years. I'm always looking for unusual Mitsubishis during my junkyard travels, be they obscure examples of badge engineering, long-forgotten marketplace failures or confusing special editions. Here's a 2010 Lancer Sportback, found in a Denver self-service yard recently. The Lancer name has a lengthy history in the United States, but all of it during the 20th century involved Dodge models. For 1955 through 1959, the Lancer name was applied to hardtop versions of Dodge's Royal, Custom and Coronet. Then it was used for the Dodge-badged version of the Plymouth Valiant for 1961 and 1962, with the Dart name gradually squeezing the Lancer name to the side during that second year. Lancers returned to American Dodge showrooms as members of the extended K-Car family, with rebadged Chrysler LeBaron GTSs sold here for the 1985 through 1989 model years. Mitsubishi began building its own Lancers all the way back in 1973, and some of those cars were sold here during the 1970s and 1980s as Dodge Colts, Dodge Challengers, Plymouth Sapporos and Plymouth Arrows. Plenty of manufacturers have used variations of the "Sportback" designation over the decades, with one of the earliest being the Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak. Buick sold Regal Sportbacks as recently as 2020, and Audi still uses the term here today. The "Liftback" name enjoyed prominence for quite a while but has faded from mainstream use in recent years, while the "Wagonback" appellation never caught on despite Geo's best efforts. The 2010 Lancer Sportback was available in two trim levels: GTS and Ralliart. The Ralliart got a turbocharged engine, all-wheel-drive and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic shared with the Evo; the GTS had front-wheel-drive and a five-speed manual as base equipment (this car has the optional CVT with paddle shifters). The engine is a 2.4-liter straight-four rated at 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque; the Ralliart had 237 horses and 253 pound-feet. The MSRP for the 2010 Lancer Sportback GTS was $19,190, or about $27,193 in 2023 dollars. This one appears to have endured some lean times during its final months or years on the road, with several field-expedient repairs performed with tape.

Mitsubishi admits to tampering with fuel economy data

Mitsubishi admitted this week to intentionally rigging fuel-economy testing in four of its models sold in Asia. The affected models are all so-called Kei class cars with sub-660cc engines manufactured at Mitsubishi's Mizushima plant in Okayama, Japan. About 157,000 of those cars are Mitsubishi eK wagons and eK Space models, and 468,000 are re-badged Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox cars, which Mitsubishi produces for Nissan. The matter came to light after Nissan found inconsistencies in reported mileage data, which then led to Mitsubishi launching an internal investigation. The fraud was discovered to be related to falsified tire pressure data, which has an effect on mileage results – an important matter considering these kinds of vehicles are marketed by fuel economy. Mitsubishi said it has stopped manufacturing and marketing the affected vehicles. The news caused Mitsubishi's stock to plummet over 15 percent, slicing $1.2 billion off the company's value. When the eK models hit the market three years ago, they were decorated with a Good Design Award by the Japanese Ministry of Economy – a merit that is now surely tarnished. While Mitsubishi has been suffering in the US recently, with news of the Normal, Illinois plant closing, its small Mirage model has sold well. Related Video: Image Credit: Getty Images Green Plants/Manufacturing Mitsubishi Nissan Fuel Efficiency Hatchback Minivan/Van kei cars minicars