1991 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gsx on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Nissan and Renault shelve merger plans, will repair their alliance

Renault and Nissan have shelved plans to push towards the full merger former leader Carlos Ghosn craved and will instead fix their troubled alliance to try to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, five senior sources told Reuters. Nissan has long resisted Renault's proposals for a full-blown merger as executives felt the French carmaker was not paying its fair share for the engineering work it did in Japan, sowing discord that some feared could wreck the partnership. Now, with carmakers around the world reeling from the pandemic, the partners are planning to overhaul an alliance that largely failed to convert its global scale into a competitive advantage beyond the joint procurement of parts. Both struggling carmakers are set to announce mid-term restructuring plans this week that will serve as a peace treaty designed to resolve the long-standing tensions, five people familiar with the overhaul told Reuters. "After the rain, the earth hardens," said one senior Nissan source, citing a popular Japanese proverb that means relationships become stronger after a period of strife. All five sources within the alliance, which also includes Mitsubishi, declined to be named because they are not authorized to speak with media. Nissan and Renault are each planning substantial restructuring and cost cuts that could affect tens of thousands of jobs, with the Japanese company to announce its measures on May 28 and its French partner likely to follow the next day. Before that, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Renault are holding a joint news conference on May 27 during which they are expected to outline the philosophy behind their new "leader-follower" approach to the alliance. The sources said the companies were unlikely to disclose many details at the events this week of how the new approach will be used to share costs as the companies were still working on specific projects. However, the crisis at both carmakers has accelerated efforts to resolve the disagreements that have stymied collaboration and cost-sharing in technology and product development for five years, the sources said. Mitsubishi, Nissan and Renault all declined to comment officially about alliance plans. 'Leader-follower' The alliance has steadily ramped up output over the years, delivering over 10 million vehicles for the first time in 2017, the first full year after Mitsubishi joined the partnership.

Mitsubishi turning Montero into crossover, Outlander Sport may get PHEV variant

Mitsubishi is getting more and more forthcoming about its plans for the US market. Among the tidbits revealed during a chat with Edmunds at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, MMNA Executive Vice President Don Swearingen said that "We are committed to huge investments in capital as well as huge investments in R&D." The marquee product of that investment could be a new Montero for the 2017 or 2018 model year, suggestions of which were raised with the Concept GC-PHEV at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and again at the end of last year. Swearingen said the proposed SUV is a little smaller than a Ford Explorer and that dealers have seen a picture of it. A decision on whether to bring it to the US will be made later this year.
Below that, incremental improvements will come to every model over the next couple of years. The Outlander will get a facelift next year before a major restyle in 2016, when the Outlander PHEV is also expected to finally make it here. In 2015 the Outlander Sport will be fitted with larger engine and a new, quieter CVT returning better acceleration and fuel economy. In 2016 it will also be redesigned, and it will be equipped with the company's new telematics system that goes into the Outlander the following year.
At the other end of the line-up, the Mirage will get a big dose of love in two years. Detail changes like better fabric inside and outside-mirror indicators are slated for 2015, and in 2016 the bargain hatchback gets "a sleek, aerodynamic" reskin. The Mirage G4 sedan could join the US range if the Canadians turn out to be fans of it. The Lancer gets only meager attentions, while the i-MiEV gets the cold shoulder and won't change at all. We get the cold shoulder as far as a next-generation Evo - Swearingen didn't say a word about that, apparently.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport gets power bump

Mitsubishi is working to keep its products up to date. While the prospect for a midsize sedan might be on hold, and the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid keeps seeing delays; the Outlander Sport is at least getting a more powerful, optional engine for two trims in the 2015 model year. The Japanese brand's compact crossover is now offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, and it's hooked up to a CVT. That works out to a jump of 20 hp and 22 lb-ft over the current 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Outlander Sport. Fuel economy is rated at 23 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive version or 23/26/24 for all-wheel drive models. The larger engine is only available on the ES and GT trim levels. Prices for the 2.4 ES start at at $21,295, plus an $850 destination charge on all models, and it also gets a black center bumper. The 2.4 GT rings up for $23,595 and adds things like a power driver's seat, black roof rails and LED turn signals in the mirrors. Additionally, customers can option the GT Premium Package for an upgraded stereo, moonroof and auto-dimming rearview mirror. There's also the GT Touring Package with leather seats and a seven-inch navigation system. MITSUBISHI MOTORS INTRODUCES MORE POWERFUL 2015 OUTLANDER SPORT New 2.4-liter engine produces 168 horsepower – 20 more horsepower than currently offered 2.0-liter engine The 2.4l engine will be available in two trim levels: 2.4 ES and 2.4 GT Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has introduced a more powerful version of the 2015 Outlander Sport 5-passenger crossover that includes a larger displacement 2.4-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower – a 20 horsepower increase over the current 2.0-liter engine. With a starting MSRP of $21,295, the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 ES features a black center bumper to visually differentiate this model from the standard ES trim level. The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 GT has a MSRP of $23,595 and includes additional features such as a power driver's seat, leather-wrapped parking brake handle, aluminum pedals, and exterior enhancements including a black center bumper along with black roof rails and outside mirrors with LED turn indicators. The 2.4 GT model includes an optional GT Premium Package that consists of a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate® premium sound system with 9 speakers including 10-in.