1997 Mitsubushi 3000 Vr4 Twin Turbo Awd on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mitsubishi Europe boss says two new PHEV crossovers due next year

In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Mitsubishi's European CEO Bernard Loire told the publication, "In the second half of next year we will have a replacement of the current Outlander. It will be on an alliance platform. There also will be another smaller SUV coming at the same time." The statements came in response to a question about expanding the automaker's plug-in hybrid lineup, leading readers to expect that by this time next year, Mitsubishi will have two crossover PHEVs on the market. The current Outlander has been on the market since late 2012, the plug-in hybrid showing for the 2014 model year. We've already seen fairly polished versions of fourth-generation Outlander prototypes out testing, sporting looks inspired by the Engelberg Tourer concept revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Some suspect the 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the current PHEV powertrain will make way for a 2.4-liter mill as in the Engelberg, paired with high-efficiency motors on both axles. The show car also touted features like all-wheel drive improved with active yaw control and enhanced anti-lock braking software. Figure on an EV range that improves the current Outlander PHEV's 22 miles, going perhaps as far as the Engelberg's 43 miles. Loire didn't give away anything about the second model, but an Autocar report from earlier this year quoted "a senior source" as saying "We will not have a unique nameplate" for the second battery-electric vehicle. The magazine said the Eclipse Cross and Outlander Sport are in line for series hybrid powertrains, without indicating which might come first. Loire told AN the brand's doing fine with respect to Europe's coming CO2 legislation, so it doesn't need to make rash moves. With the Eclipse Cross forming 20% of sales on the Continent, the middle crossover would be a rational choice for the next plug-in hybrid, especially since it's retiring the 2.2-liter diesel option around the end of 2020. On the other hand, the Outlander Sport will be 10 years old next year, a replacement can't be far away. The new plug-ins come with the realignment of Mitsubishi's crossover range. The Outlander, sitting on a new architecture shared among the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, will grow into a proper mid-size choice; the prototype spotted in Michigan is clearly larger than the current vehicle.

Mitsubishi previews 2014 Outlander and 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition

We've seen the new Mitsubishi Outlander in European form a few times already, but the 'ute has yet to make its roaring debut in the States. That's soon to be rectified, as Mitsubishi has formally announced plans to show the US-sped 2014 Outlander at the upcoming LA Auto Show.
Mitsubishi promises that the 2014 Outlander will be "among the most fuel-efficient compact [crossovers] with seven-passenger seating as standard." In addition to its new aerodynamic bodywork, the 2014 Outlander will bring with it advanced tech like Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control, each with its own fancy sounding acronym.

Also on display will be a new Limited Edition of the 2013 Outlander Sport. Said to commemorate the brand's 30 years in America, the LE will boast blacked-out side mirrors, center bumper (whatever that means...), wheel arches and roof rails. Other tweaks include dark-chrome alloy wheels and the necessary badging. Interestinglu, Mitsubishi says it has fitted a new balance shaft to make the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine a smoother operator.

Mitsubishi shows off MiEV Evolution III for Pikes Peak

In May 2012, Mistubishi unveiled a completely unexpected version of the i-MiEV electric jellybean to challenge the climb up Pikes Peak, the MiEV Evolution. In 2013, the company unleashed the MiEV Evolution II. For 2014, well, you can probably guess. Say hello to the MiEV Evolution III. The latest, ahem, evolution of these cars features redesigned chassis and bodywork as well as a 50 kW boost to the electric motors, up to 450 kW, which translates to a 67 horsepower increase up to 603 hp. Two of these bad boys will tackle the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) later this month in the Electric Modified Division at the hands of drivers Greg Tracy and Hiroshi Masuoka. The race starts at 9,390 feet and ends at 14,110 feet above sea level and takes place June 29. Mitsubishi hasn't yet managed to win the EV category in. The first Evolution crashed during practice and last year Masuoka came in second in the EV division while Tracy came in third. The 2013 winner was Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima in the Monster Sport E-Runner. Will the third time be the charm? Mitsubishi Motors to Compete in the 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for Third Consecutive Year Pair of advanced MiEV Evolution III all-electric racecars to compete Mon, Jun 02, 2014 - Cypress, California - Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) will compete in the Electric Modified Division of the prestigious 2014 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) with a pair of technologically-advanced MiEV Evolution III 100% electric-powered purpose-built racecars in the 92nd running of the "Race to the Clouds" on June 29th near Colorado Springs, Colorado. First run in 1916, the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a treacherous 12.42-mile/156 corner road course through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado commencing at an elevation of 9,390 feet and finishing at 14,110 feet – nearly 3 miles above sea level. The Pikes Peak race is the second oldest motorsports event in the United States after the Indianapolis 500. "Pikes Peak is an excellent laboratory for testing our advanced MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) technology," states Don Swearingen, executive vice president Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.