2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Sedan 4-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mitsubishi hopes you'll trade driving data for a cheaper oil change

Companies and cities love it when you supply driving data, but how do they convince you to hand it over? In Mitsubishi's case, it's simple: shower people with gifts. The automaker has launched a mobile app that asks American commuters to share data on their driving habits with insurance companies in return for badges they can exchange for rewards. Mind your road manners (such as staying within the speed limit or avoiding sudden braking) and you can get discounts on oil changes and car accessories. You should also receive free coffee and gift cards by the end of 2018. Insurers and local governments have tried similar strategies, but this is the first of its kind directly from a car company. Mitsubishi's Bryan Arnett described this to the Wall Street Journal as a way to "stabilize the business" with alternate sources of income if car sales slip. The catch, as you may have guessed, is that insurers will have your data. The Mitsubishi project will help insurers understand driving patterns and adjust their risk profiles, potentially lowering your rates if you drive safely. However, you're potentially subjecting yourself to scrutiny for every little decision you make on the road, often without context. If you push past the speed limit to get out of a big rig's blind spot, will Mitsubishi know the difference between that and genuinely reckless driving? Probably not. Simultaneously, there's a concern that insurance companies may try to make this kind of data collection mandatory if you want to avoid stiff premiums, rather than a bonus. If they did, you wouldn't have much choice but to sacrifice privacy if you wanted to drive. The move draws attention to the practices of the car makers themselves, for that matter. Many of them are aware that car ownership might not last forever, and they may increasingly turn to data harvesting strategies like this to offset any potential sales drops.This story originally appeared on Engadget, your guide to this connected life.Related Video:

Limited-edition Mitsubishi 311RS Evo X coming to Minneapolis Auto Show [w/video]

It's not terribly often that we have news to report coming out ahead of the Minneapolis Auto Show. We say that not to disparage the Twin Cities, which are lovely, but new product reveals are few and far between for the show. This year, however, it seems that event will play host to the debut of a rather special limited edition Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. Though not coming directly from the Mitsu factory, we think the 311RS shows loads of potential for Evo fanatics.
The 311RS is the brainchild of circuit racer Ryan Gates, who has apparently spent the last three years developing what he believes is an Evo perfect for both racing and road driving. Starting life as a bog-standard Evo X, the Gates team has swapped out the factory intake, intercooler and exhaust system for more potent AMS pieces; resulting in output figures of 353 horsepower and nearly 359 pound-feet of torque. A new suspension from JRZ, brakes from Girodisc and 18-inch custom Rays wheels shod with high-performance Nitto tires represent significant updates to the underpinnings, as well.
Of course, the 311RS is also rocking a full body kit, too, with a more aggressive front air dam and a subtle lip added on to the stock rear wing. The blue and white racing livery, with matching blue wheels, looks racy without being too childish, we think.

Mitsubishi recalls Mirage in snowy states for airbag delay

The Basics: Mitsubishi is recalling 25,185 examples of the 2014-2015 Mirage, built between August 7, 2013, and September 2, 2015, sold or ever registered in states that use salt to melt ice on the road during the winter months. Those include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The Problem: Snow with road salt tracked in on boots could cause a wiring connector to short out behind a kick panel next to the driver's footrest, potentially delaying the deployment of the front airbags. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The fix: Mitsubishi dealers are being instructed to inspect the electrical connectors, replace any corroded ones, and fit a waterproof sheet to prevent any further corrosion. No timeframe has been set as of yet. If you own one: Try not to track in too much snow. Watch out for the SRS warning light on the dashboard, which will alert you if there's a problem with the airbags. Expect to hear from Mitsubishi Motors North America in due course to arrange for your vehicle to be checked out at a local dealer. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Air Bag Deployment may be Delayed due to Corrosion Report Receipt Date: DEC 04, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V815000 Component(s): AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM All Products Associated with this Recall Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured August 7, 2013, to September 2, 2015 and originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and District of Columbia. If the driver enters an affected vehicle with their boots covered with snow mixed with road salt, the melting snow may soak through the carpet and cause corrosion to a wiring connector located in a junction box behind a kick panel to the left of the driver's footrest. CONSEQUENCE: In the event of a crash, corrosion of the connector could delay deployment of the frontal air bags, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and the front seat passenger.