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Mitsubishi MI-TECH concept has four electric motors and a turbine engine range extender

Mitsubishi is bringing a new concept car to this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, and itÂ’s already shaping up to be an exciting proposition. We got a teaser photo of the MI-TECH Concept today, and it looks like a short wheelbase convertible SUV. Not only that, but itÂ’s also a two-seater. All this means itÂ’s likely not anything close to what weÂ’ll see in a production car, but the tech onboard is what really grabbed our attention. ItÂ’s a plug-in hybrid, but itÂ’s different than most youÂ’ve seen before. There are four electric motors, two at each axle to provide the best four-wheel drive one could ask for. Then, instead of a traditional gasoline engine generator as a range extender, Mitsubishi is using a turbine engine generator. The Chrysler and GM turbine cars of the 1960s-70s were just ahead of their time, werenÂ’t they? Mitsubishi says this allows the MI-TECH to drive like a series hybrid when the battery pack is depleted. The four-wheel drive system is supposed to provide fantastic performance offroad and also on tarmac, being able to precisely dole out the exact amount of torque to whatever wheel needs it at any given time. Mitsubishi says the entire plug-in hybrid electric system is compact, so as to fit in a small SUV. Think Eclipse Cross or Outlander Sport size. The company already has a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the larger Outlander, but it wants to hybridize its smaller offerings one day, too. We donÂ’t expect the turbine engine to make it into our hands, but this four-motor electric drive system would be sweet in a production car. An augmented-reality windshield is the highlight on the interior of the MI-TECH. It is able to project a variety of information onto the windshield by using optical sensing technology. Hopefully Mitsubishi expands on that when it fully reveals the car in Tokyo. For now, we have the teaser, and it looks pretty neat. Mitsubishi, feel free to release a production version of a roofless, off-road, electrified SUV. We could use something fun in the lineup, as the Evo hole in our heart grows larger by the year.

L200 Absolute Concept is the off-road truck we want from Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi took the wraps off a concept off-road truck called the L200 Absolute at the Bangkok International Motor Show, and we completely approve. The truck isn't just a normal L200 with an appearance package. No, Mitsubishi went in and modified the suspension, added a ton of body cladding and even some carbon fiber. We don't think about Mitsubishi as much ever since the Evo was discontinued here, but this truck provides a bit of hope that one day the Japanese brand could be cool again in America. To begin, Mitsubishi widened the truck's track to make room for the beefy Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires wrapping the black off-road wheels. Then the suspension was modified to give the truck a two-inch lift — it was also given a new shock and spring setup for off-road use, providing more suspension travel. Sadly, Mitsubishi does not say more about it, but we're happy that this truck will be much more capable when the trails get rough. Large and obvious red-accented skid plates are placed in the front and rear to offer some stylish protection. Then check out all the carbon fiber parts on this truck. Mitsubishi uses the material on the tailgate and fender flares. This is not the norm for trucks, nor is it typical of Mitsubishi as of late, but we're totally for it. A big LED lighting package is the last bit that is largely different from the normal L200/Triton pickup truck made in Thailand. We'll hand it to Mitsubishi for this one. The "Absolute" name is even an improvement over the last off-road concept it made called the Engelberg Tourer. Midsize trucks are hot now. This truck in production form could definitely raise some eyebrows in the U.S. with its off-road nature similar to the Colorado ZR2 and Jeep Gladiator. We definitely need something to get excited about Mitsubishi again, especially now with the Evo long in the rearview mirror.

Junkyard Gem: 1978 Plymouth Sapporo

Chrysler began selling rebadged Mitsubishis in the United States in the 1971 model year, when the first Mitsubishi Colt Galants appeared as Dodge Colts here. This relationship prospered as the decade progressed, and the Galant Lambda coupe acquired Plymouth Sapporo and Dodge Challenger badges and went on sale in North America for the 1978 model year. We've seen a MitsuChallenger in this series, and now it's time for an example of its Plymouth sibling, found in a Colorado yard last month. Thanks to the increasingly good reputation of reliable and fuel-efficient Japanese machinery in the United States during the 1970s, the "manufactured in Japan" plaque became a selling point for these cars. The Sapporo had a 1.6-liter straight-four as its base engine, but this car has the optional 2.6-liter Astron. Its 105-horsepower output was fairly serious stuff for a small car in 1978. Later on, turbocharged Astrons powered the legendary Mitsubishi Starions, while naturally-aspirated versions went into Chrysler's K-Cars. The interior sports tri-tone bucket seats, racy-looking steering wheel, and full gauges. In the late 1970s through early 1980s, you needed opera lights on your car to be truly classy. The Chrysler Cordoba had them, the Lincoln Continental Town Car had them, the Oldsmobile Toronado had them, and this Sapporo has them. AM/FM stereo radios (or any radio, for that matter) and power remote mirrors were expensive options on most cars in 1978. The 1972 Winter Olympics took place in Sapporo, Japan, so the name had some recognition. Mitsubishi didn't start selling cars under its own badging here until the 1983 model year, and the Galant (sedan only) didn't arrive on these shores until 1985. The interior in this one got pretty well roasted from long-term outdoor parking (apparently in Nebraska, if we are to judge by the 2002 license plate I found inside the car). These cars aren't worth very much even in good condition, and so I still find numerous Malaise Era sporty Chryslerbishis during my junkyard travels. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. What a deal! This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. In the Sapporo's homeland, the TV ads for the Galant Lambda were less about cheapness and more about the glamorous Lambda lifestyle. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences.