Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi to launch flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) in 2007

By Mike Hanlon

January 22, 2007 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced plans to launch a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) in the Brazil market within fiscal 2007. The Company also announced that models are in development for the US market for a fiscal 2009 launch. One of MMC's design objectives is to create vehicles that meet the requirements of the Century of the Environment. This can be seen in the MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle - pictured), a next generation electric car that is a core element in the company's environmental technology strategy, and can also be seen in the next generation diesel engine that is now under development. In addition to these initiatives, MMC and its local manufacturing and sales unit, MMC Automotores do Brasil Ltda (MMCB) have been developing a flexible fuel vehicle for the Brazil market. The FFV can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a mixture of the two, and will be launched in the Brazil market within fiscal 2007. Practical FFV solutions are also in development for the US market, where a fiscal 2009 launch is planned. Read More

Mitsubishi claims seventh successive Dakar Rally Victory

By Mike Hanlon

January 22, 2007 Given that Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart had won the last six Dakar Rallies, it was logical to expect the seventh consecutive victory which came about on Sunday with the top two placings on the podium, but that would not have paid the respect due to the fleet of VW 285-hp 2.5-litre TDI turbodiesel Race Touareg and the massive effort of the Volkswagen factory team. As it was, the Volkswagen team led the event for the first eight days and won ten of 14 possible stage victories, and but for one catastrophic day where the team’s two best placed drivers suffered valve-train failure, the results might have been different. The success was a record-breaking 12th win in the team's 25-year history of competing in the world's toughest and most famous off-road rally. The French crew of Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret won the event for the third time in four years in their Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero Evolution and beat their team mates and defending champions Luc Alphand and Gilles Picard by a margin of just seven minutes 26 seconds, after 15 days of bruising competition across Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal. Read More

Mitsubishi Prototype-X concept

By Mike Hanlon

December 18, 2006 Mitsubishi will unveil the Prototype X concept for a next-generation high-performance 4WD sport sedan at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (Detroit Motor Show) on January 7. The Prototype-X concept is an advance development model for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched in 2007. Prototype-X features styling based on the current Lancer but was developed to project a visibly higher performance image. The concept model is fitted with Mitsubishi's S-AWC*1 (Super All-Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics system and handling control together with a new turbocharged MIVEC2 engine with an aluminium cylinder block and a 6-speed manual transmission. Read More

i Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (i MiEV)

By Mike Hanlon

October 12, 2006 Mitsubishi will display a new research vehicle, the Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) at the 22nd International Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Symposium & Expo (EVS-22) in Yokohama later this month. The next-generation "i MiEV" electric vehicle will be used for joint research programmes with power companies that will conduct field tests, gather data and evaluate the commercial viability of the vehicle. Based on MMC's "i" mini-car, it is powered by a compact and lightweight motor and high-energy density lithium-ion batteries which replace the i's rear-midship combustion engine and surprisingly few modifications were required in the conversion. Unlike previous Mitsubishi elevctric vehicles, the I MiEV uses a single 47 kW motor to drive both rear wheels instead of four in-wheel electric motors. The car has a top speed of 130 km/h Read More

Mitsubishi launches Lancer Evolution IX MR and Lancer Evolution Wagon MR

By Mike Hanlon

August 29, 2006 Mitsubishi’s new Lancer Evolution IX MR high-performance 4WD sports sedan (GSR/RS) and Lancer Evolution Wagon MR high-performance 4WD sports wagon (GT/GT-A) went on sale at affiliated dealerships throughout Japan today. The MR designation is an abbreviation for Mitsubishi Racing, and is restricted to the most prominent sports model in Mitsubishi's line-up. The new models are the second group of MR models released by Mitsubishi, the first being the Lancer Evolution VIII MR launched in February 2004. The new models mark the 14th iteration of the series that began with the Lancer Evolution in October 1992 and both sedan and station wagon are third-generation compilation models and are designed with a focus on on-road sports driving. Read More

Mitsubishi Colt CZC Premiere at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show

By Mike Hanlon

January 18, 2006 Two years after the launch of the Colt hatchback and a year after the introduction of the Colt coupe, Mitsubishi will unveil the third variant of the European Colt family at the 76th Geneva Motor Show: the sporty Colt CZC coupe-cabriolet. Designed in close collaboration between Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Design Europe and legendary Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, the 2006 Colt CZC echoes Mitsubishi Motors’ first ever show car, the Colt 600 Convertible, unveiled at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show. Read More

Mitsubishi Introduces "Attainable Exotic" 2007 Eclipse Spyder

By Mike Hanlon

January 11, 2006 Mitsubishi unveiled the all-new 2007 Eclipse Spyder at the North American International Auto Show this week and in so doing, promised a showroom floor (due in April) model of modest price and exotic capability. Based on the fourth-generation Eclipse coupe introduced in 2005, the GT specification Eclipse Spyder combines 260-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 performance with a convertible top and outstanding value. The 2007 Eclipse Spyder arrives in Mitsubishi dealerships in April. Read More

Mitsubishi unveils hybrid MIEV 4WD sport compact concept

By Mike Hanlon

January 10, 2006 Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) used the NAIAS to unveil the Concept-CT yesterday, a groundbreaking concept for a hybrid-powered small car that may influence future development of Mitsubishi models. The key to the Concept-CT's roomy packaging, performance potential and fuel efficiency is the Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, which employs an electric motor in each of the vehicle's four wheels. The ultra-compact four-door hatchback combines practicality, fun-to-drive performance and low fuel consumption. Read More

Mitsubishi moves to dominant position on last Mauritanian stage of Dakar Rally

By Mike Hanlon

January 9, 2006 As the Dakar Rally moved into its second half today, the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team continued to tighten its grip on a sixth successive victory in the 28th Dakar Rally, as overnight leaders Stephane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret extended their overall lead in the daunting 599 kms special stage between Nouakchott and Kiffa in Mauritania. As the Volkswagen Touareg challenge faded, Mitsubishi teams now hold first, second and fourth in the car section. Read More

Mitsubishi 2007 Eclipse Spyder and Concept-CT MIEV

By Mike Hanlon

December 7, 2005 It’s show-and-tell-time for the big automotive manufacturers who are preparing for the upcoming 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Mitsubishi will unveil two world premieres - the 2007 Eclipse Spyder and the Concept-CT MIEV. The '07 Spyder will further develop the theme of an affordable 2 + 2 exotic convertible - a powerful MIVEC engine, 650-watt audio system, and a few other surprise features usually reserved for high-priced convertibles and cabriolets. The Concept-CT's inspiration was to create a "city-technology" model and will feature a hybrid powertrain with Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electronic Vehicle (MIEV) technology. As usual, sketches will be shown now and photos towards the end of this month. Read More

Further collaboration for Mitsubishi and smart

By Mike Hanlon

October 29, 2005 In 1998 the Smart City Coupe was launched with its three-cylinder engines anticipating what is now just emerging as a downsizing trend in other makes of car: a small and economical engine employing a turbocharger (and charge air cooling) to boost it to the sort of power level which is expected of small cars today. Though old in terms of leading edge automotive concepts, smart’s three-cylinder petrol engine remains one of the most economical petrol-engines available today. But time stands still for no automotive manufacturer and with the smart’s ultra-short two-seater now sold in 36 countries (as the smart fortwo), there’s no doubt a huge and growing market exists and smart is currently developing the next-generation model for launch in 2007. Given that the smart was so far ahead of the pack last time, it will be interesting to see what the innovative company comes up with next time, and a huge clue was dropped yesterday Mitsubishi announced it had signed an agreement with smart to supply the turbo-charged engine it had developed for use in its i concept minicar. The smart fortwo and the new MMC i are pictured - the fortwo is on top. Read More

The Nude Top Mitsuoka Orochi

By Mike Hanlon

October 25, 2005 Mitsuoka Motors is an eccentric boutique Japanese specialist automotive manufacturer that has been growing in stature over the last decade and is already regarded as a supercar manufacturer thanks to its Orochi concept which was first shown in 2001 at the Tokyo Motor Show, evolved further in 2003 for the next big Tokyo Show and has evolved still further with a “nude top” (convertible to the rest of the world) version of the Orochi for this year’s show that began this week. The Orochi was originally based on Honda’s NSX supercar and although there are no details of the Nude Top Orochi, we suspect it still is. Just before you dismiss this as just another supercar story, check out the Le-Seyde which is just one of seven limited production models manufactured by the company. It has been in production since 1990 and is still based on a domestic 2.0 litre Japanese production model but we think it looks fabby. Great picture gallery inside. Read More

Thai debut for Mitsubishi's new Triton pickup truck

By Mike Hanlon

August 26 2005 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced today the release on the Thailand market of the new “Triton” 1-ton pickup truck. Replacing the current Strada after a full redesign, the new Triton pickup is assembled at Mitsubishi Motors local facility in Laem Chabang, Thailand. Following the Thai launch, the company plans to start shipping this pickup model to other countries and regions, and thus, it is expected to play a major role in terms of the Company’s global market strategy and of achieving the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan. Read More

Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) engine to power the production “i” car

By Mike Hanlon

August 5, 2005 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has developed two Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) aluminium cylinder block engines to power two new models slated for introduction in the domestic Japanese market later this year. The new Outlander SUV, due to debut in showrooms this October, is to be powered by a new 4-cylinder 2.4-liter MIVEC engine. The new-concept minicar i, scheduled to join the MMC lineup in January next year, will use a new 3-cylinder 660cc MIVEC engine. The Smart lookalike “i” concept car was shown at the Frankfurt motor Show in 2003 and was a crowd favourite. The new turbocharged 3-cylinder 660cc MIVEC engine delivers outstanding power and torque, fuel economy and emissions performance. The unit produces 47kW (64PS) and with the MIVEC variable valve timing system, it is expected to return significantly better fuel economy than the concept vehicle which achieved maximum 5-Star ratings (lowest environmental impact) in fuel consumption and emissions testing conducted in Europe in 2003. The engine for the vehicle at that stage was a one litre motor producing 50kW. Read More

Mitsubishi unveils Concept Sportback

By Mike Hanlon

September 9, 2005 UPDATED, NEW IMAGES With less than a week to go before the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mitsubishi has finally released images of the next-generation sports hatchbac "Concept Sportback" it will be exhibiting at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Concept-Sportback is a concept for the 5-door sports hatchback class that is becoming highly popular in Europe. This concept previews a brand new Mitsubishi Motors C-segment platform. The direction Mitsubishi Motors' design is set to take for the near future is readily apparent in the concept's sporty exterior. Read More

Mitsubishi Concept E-boost Wins 2005 Idea Gold Award

By Mike Hanlon

July 4, 2005 Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) has picked up a Gold 2005 Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) gong for its E-boost concept vehicle. The Gold Award was given in the category of Design Explorations. Presented for the last 25 years by the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA), this year's IDEA competition is prominently featured on the cover of BusinessWeek and on businessweek.com web site with more images, additional information and an interactive slide show. The Mitsubishi E-boost concept car introduces a new direction for sports car design, demonstrating the possibilities for expanded performance hybrid systems of the future. E-boost combines the look and performance of an exotic car with sport-coupe fuel efficiency. Many of the design innovations in the E-boost are found in its mechanics with the electric motor also doubling as a performance-enhancing device. The car's evocative appearance and soft, athletic lines are a unique departure from the current automotive trend toward heavy, sharp, boxy forms. The exterior color features a specially developed pigment that appears to glow from within to create the effect of molten metal, while the interior styling is forward thinking with a clean, uncluttered instrument panel centered around an LCD screen. Read More

Mitsubishi developing in-wheel motors for enhanced All-Wheel-Drive performance

By Mike Hanlon

May 12, 2005 Mitsubishi Motors released details of its ongoing development of in-wheel motors earlier this week, hinting that the company’s interest in next-generation electric vehicle technology offers highly promising potential in the ongoing evolution of Mitsubishi's all-wheel control technology. In other words, the company’s firebreathing Lancer Evolution XI or XII models, two or three years from now, might feature hybrid technologies not just for conservation’s sake, but for outright performance. The company statement stated, “an in-wheel motor makes it possible to regulate drive torque and braking force independently at each wheel without the need for any transmission, drive shaft or other complex mechanical components.” Read More

New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

By Mike Hanlon

March 27, 2005 Bred from Mitsubishi’s racing program, the striking new 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX was introduced this week at the New York International Automobile Show. Loaded with power and aerodynamic enhancements culled from Mitsubishi's rally-racing success over the past decade, the compact sedan's turbocharged, intercooled engine now features advanced MIVEC technology, producing higher torque and better overall performance. This latest edition to the Lancer Evolution model line stacks up well against far more expensive sports cars by combining brute power and agility. Read More

Mitsubishi Nessie

By Mike Hanlon

February 18, 2005 The rise and the rise of the SUV as a mode of transport in many western nations is fueled some fascinating concept vehicles over recent times as the world’s automotive manufacturers attempt to read public opinion and develop the next generation look for the once humble and workhorse 4WD. That was never more obvious than the recent North American Motor Shows, and the trend continues at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show with the release of Mitsubishi’s Nessie, styled by Italdesign Giugaro in collaboration with Mitsubishi and the Linde Group. Read More

Mitsubishi Design Concept encompasses L.A. lifestyle

By Mike Hanlon

Los Angeles January 7, 2005 Mitsubishi today unveiled a futuristic design concept at the L.A. Auto Show that is designed as the perfect Los Angeles-area vehicle. Portrayed in the form of a special two-dimensional "Ultimate L.A. Machine" sketch, the design concept is entered as part of the show's first annual Design Challenge. "Los Angeles is one of the few places where within a one hour drive you can go surfing at the beach, hiking in the desert, snowboarding in the mountains, and still make it out for a night on the town in the infamous L.A. club scene," said Jon Hull, a designer from Mitsubishi Design America, "so we decided to design a vehicle that can take advantage of all that L.A. has to offer." Read More

Mitsubishi FUSO Concept

By Gizmag Team

October 29, 2004 Mitsubishi showed a radical concept truck at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, exhibited as a concept known simply as FUSO, which is a bit confusing given that the company's entire truck brand, which began all the way back in 1932, is also named FUSO.

The Fuso was one of a number of exhibits designed to promote and focus upon the future of the company and is described by Mitsubishi as "a concept truck that proposes an entirely new style of commercial transport."

Given the company's well publicised quality problems, we suspect the focus has been moved to future new products, replenishment of the entire range as quickly as possible, and things have shifted quickly in recent months, even in the land of the shortest concept-to-showroom times in the industry. Read More

High-Speed Inclination Escalators from Mitsubishi

By Gizmag Team

October 29m 2004 Mitsubishi Electric is developing an escalator that increases acceleration speed to 1.5-times normal at the slope compared with the boarding zone, redefining the perception that safe means slow whilst speeding up the journey from A to B over long distances. Read More

Mitsubishi displays boost wearable computing market

By Mike Hanlon

Electronics giant Mitsubushi has shown a miniature wearable head-up display which it will release to the public in 2005. Named the Scopo, it will become the first mass market wearable display to augment reality for the everyday person. Designed for mobility and practicality, the Mitsubushi SCOPO wearable display is not the first available such display, but we expect its low cost (US$400) and ready availability will stimulate the market and further accelerate change in portable computing. Read More

Mitsubishi to unveil Eclipse Concept-E at Detroit Motor Show

By Mike Hanlon

The attention of the automotive world will turn to Detroit in January for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) - and manufacturers are already providing a taste of what to expect. Among them, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have announced that the Eclipse Concept-E high-performance sports concept car will make its global debut... Read More

Mitsubishi visualises in-car office

By Mike Hanlon

Mitsubishi recently showed the OMNI concept - a vehicle which quickly transforms into a mobile office. Read More