2003 Black Mitsubishi Eclipse Gt Coupe 2-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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Mitsubishi rumored to plan a revival of the Lancer Evolution

To the dismay of countless hardcore enthusiasts and JDM fans, Mitsubishi long ago announced that it killed off its sports cars, such as the Eclipse and the legendary Lancer Evolution, to focus more on electric vehicles, hybrids, and SUVs. Rubbing salt in the wound even further was the fact that Mitsubishi repurposed its coveted Eclipse nameplate to a crossover. But now, there could be a light at the end of the tunnel. AutoCarUK reportedly received word that Mitsubishi could be bringing back the Lancer Evolution. There's no official word with the outlet citing anonymous sources, and there's still a cloud of doubt hovering, given Mitsubishi made its near-future trajectory fairly clear. But there could be a smidgen of hope that all is not lost with the tiny Japanese automaker. Should the word be accurate, the new Lancer Evolution XI — as it would likely be called since it would be the 11th-generation model — could get a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant lifted straight from the hot-hatch version of the Renault Megane known as the Megane RS. The same dual-clutch automatic would also find its way into the Evo, though Mitsubishi would supposedly be left to its own vices to develop an all-new S-AWC all-wheel drive system. The Renault Megane RS is quite the hot hatch, so its power and drivetrain wouldn't be out of place in a new Evo. It produces 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the Mitsu's direct rival, the WRX STi, produces 310 hp and 290 lb-ft. But should Mitsubishi proceed, the company seeks to one-up Subaru's limited-edition WRX STi S209, which produces 341 hp and 319 lb-ft. Don't forget, Mitsubishi joined the Renault-Nissan alliance in 2016, and Nissan owns a 43% stake in Mitsubishi. There are even rumors that Mitsubishi could add in a new 48-volt electrical system, which could give the new Evo "mild-hybrid" capabilities. That basically adds an electric motor-generator somewhere on the engine or within the drivetrain that not only doubles as a gas-engine starter and an electricity generator, but a drive motor as well. A 48-volt system would also give the new Evo the ability to house more computing power to allow for more kinds of technology. The new Evo would also utilize the alliance's latest modular CMF-C/D F4 platform that's currently under cooperative development between Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.

Toyo Tires will bring another wild catalog of rides to SEMA

Toyo Tires carts all kinds of toys to SEMA every year, the rubber company planning another 30 or so automotive exhibits this year in two locations. One of them, the Baja 911, comes with a pedigree not usually associated with the bewildering wares hawked at the Las Vegas show. TJ Russell was once lead fabricator for Singer Vehicle Design, now he's the head of Russell Built Fabrication in Sun Valley, CA. Sticking with the marque he knows well, Russell started with a 1991 Porsche Carrera 4 cabriolet, fitted the interior with a full roll cage, then built a hardtop around it to design a desert runner channeling the old Rothmans safari 911s. Underneath that bodywork lives a box-plate trailing arm suspension with 12 inches of travel, working 15-inch Fifteen52 FIA-approved Gravel wheels and 30-inch Toyo Open Country A/T II tires. Power comes from a purpose-built 3.8-liter air-cooled flat-six with about 350 horsepower — 100 hp more than stock — in a car that weighs 400 pounds less than the original. Oh, and as documented on Instagram with the tagline "All race outside, all business inside," the interior's full of quilted, cross-stitched leather, and Toyo says Russell's going to do a low-volume run of the Baja 911 starting early next year. ruffian-ford-mustang-sema-01 View 10 Photos Chris Ashton built a 1970 Ford Mustang Fastback called the Ruffian Mustang, inspired by the Trans Am Racing Series. The exterior changes are more subtle than one might think – the chin spoiler, hood scoop, and side mirrors are barely exaggerated versions of those on the original car, the intake vents astride the front lights and the steel bumpers teleported from 1970. Changes outside include de-chromed and flush-mounted glass, vented hood, front fenders that are dropped an inch, rear fender vents, dual side-exit pipes, and gargantuan fender flares over staggered Signature One wheels and Toyo Proxes 888 tires. The interior's fitted with a roll cage and race car workings. In spite of the Boss 427 badging, the engine's a 625-hp Chevrolet LS3 V8. button-built-ferrari-355-sema-01 View 13 Photos The Button Built Ferrari BB355TT picks up from last year's stanced BB328GTS widebody that gave many Internet denizens heart attacks. Laid up on a 1999 355 Berlinetta, the BB version appends a widebody kit designed Mitchell Button, rendered by Khyzyl Saleem and drenched in Azzuro la Plata, a color from Ferrari's Scagliette palette first used on a 1967 275GTB Le Mans racer.

Long-serving Mitsubishi president Masuko to step aside

Long-struggling Mitsubishi Motors is reportedly preparing for a changing of the guard at home. According to Reuters, Osamu Masuko will step aside in favor of Tesuro Aikawa, currently the company's managing director. Masuko won't be leaving the fold entirely, however - he will take the role of chairman, displacing Takashi Nishioka, who will resign. The shakeup has not been confirmed by Mitsubishi, but word is that the changes will take effect April 1.
Mitsu's US troubles are no secret, but the brand's struggles in its home market haven't been quite so publicized. The company was bailed out by other arms of the Mitsubishi empire, and it just raised $2 billion this month to buy back preferred shares that were issued during the bailout. Masuko served as president for nearly ten years, during which the brand's US efforts utterly stalled out, recalls cropped up in Japan and an alliance with Daimler (which was DaimlerChrysler at the time) disintegrated.
According to Reuters, establishing the kind of alliances that will allow the brand to grow, such as its tie-up with Renault-Nissan, are key to Mitsu's long-term success. The thought is that an alliance will allow the brand to come up with some innovative models that won't be compromised by its lack of production scale. It looks like Aikawa has his work cut out for him.