Mitsubishi to Phase Out Most of its U.S.-made Models by 2014

Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko today announced that the automaker will kill most of its current lineup of U.S.-made vehicles by 2014, as part of the company's “Jump 2013” mid-term business plan. The decision affects the Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder sports cars, Endeavor crossover and Galant sedan, which are going to be replaced with global vehicles built at the manufacturer’s Illinois plant. The Outlander crossover, Outlander Sport small crossover and Lancer sedan will provide the underpinnings for the new models.

According to Mr. Masuko, these changes won’t affect U.S. sales. In fact, he predicted that sales and production numbers will increase, albeit no target has been specified.

“Our sales in North America will increase”, Masuko said. “We'll still be selling cars brought in from Japan, and we'll be adding the global small car as well”.

When it comes to combined sales, Mitsubishi expects the Japanese, North American and European markets to register a jump of 90,000 units over the next three years.

Furthermore, the company is exploring other possibilities to gain much needed market share as well.

One plan of action will see Mitsubishi rolling out no less than eight electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by early 2016, including a small commercial truck version of the i-MIEV and plug-in hybrid SUV based on the Px-MiEV concept car shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Mitsubishi also wants to bring its new global small car to the U.S. and target emerging markets with new models, such as a 1-ton pickup truck that could be jointly developed with Nissan.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Autonews

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

DAMD goes Low-Key with Mitsubishi Outlander Sport [RVR / ASX]

In what could be one of the most subtle proposals to come out of the DAMD tuning shop yet, the Japanese aftermarket company presented a rather tasty styling kit for the new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which as you probably already know, is called ASX in Europe and RVR in Japan.

DAMD's modifications include an aero/styling kit with a front lip spoiler, side sills a central rear apron with add-ons on both corners of the bumper, and a roof spoiler. All parts can be ordered in the same color as the rest of the car or in a matte black finish, which looks pretty cool on the white Outlander Sport pictured here.

The tuning firm also adds a sports exhaust and the option of 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels from Crimson wrapped around 245/35R Bridesgtone tires.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander with New 2.2-liter Diesel and 2WD Variant Announced for the UK

Following the limited release of the special edition Outlander Juro in July, Mitsubishi UK has announced details and pricing on the series production version of the facelifted SUV. On sale now, the 2011 Outlander with the Evo-like snout is offered with two turbo diesel engines, a new Mitsubishi-developed 175HP 2.2 Di-D matched to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 154HP 2.2 Di-D turbo diesel SST PSA unit combined with a twin clutch automated manual transmission.

For the first time in Britain, Mitsubishi is also presenting a two-wheel drive diesel variant of the Outlander which is available only with the 175HP unit that returns a combined fuel economy of 46.3mpg UK compared to 43.5 mpg UK of the equivalent 4WD model.

Prices, including 17.5% VAT and the delivery costs but not Government Road Fund Licence and First Registration Fee, start from £21,549 for the base model with the 154HP diesel and 4WD.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Online Test Drive is GTA IV with Only One Car and No Crime

Clearly taking its inspiration from those throwaway iPhone / iPod games loved so much by Volkswagen and its subsidiaries, the North American arm of Mitsubishi Motors will let a select few test drive the new Outlander Sport compact [called ASX in Europe] remotely through "Mitsubishi Live Drive".

In a world first, customers will be able to take the compact crossover around a closed circuit course, controlling the actually vehicle through an "interactive remote control" from the comfort of their own internet-connected PCs. I wonder what a "non-interactive remote control" would be...

When developing the Live Drive experience, Mitsubishi consulted robotics expert, Dr. James Brighton who was instrumental in constructing the online test drive program

The 5-seat CUV was rigged with multiple video cameras, servo motors that move the pedals and steering wheel and electronic receivers that pick up on the driver's control inputs.

Mitsubishi boasts that, "participants will enjoy the feeling of literally being in the driver's seat." You know, without G-force or inertia or any other feeling you might get from actually driving a car.

Those who use the Live Drive program will also have the opportunity to collect "feature pods"; you know, like the coins Mario picks up. Only these ones tell you about the features on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Riveting!

Oh well, it sounds more interesting than listening to a dealer drone on and on about this and that at the dealership for hours on end, though I'd still rather take a shot at controlling one of the vehicles in the DARPA Urban Challenge though.

If you are 18 years old, live in the United States and have a valid driver's license you can sign up on the car's microsite from the 15th of October. The Live Drive days will be held between the 1st and 10th of November, coinciding with campaigns in other media including television and print.

By Tristan Hankins

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Mitsubishi Releases 2.0-liter Versions of New and... Old Outlander in Japan

As a rule, when an automaker goes ahead and facelifts one of its vehicles, the previous version is expelled from the range. Apparently that's not the case with Mitsubishi and its Japanese domestic market Outlander. The company has just released two new variants of the compact crossover, one called Roadest that's based on the new model with the EVO snout featuring a sporty body kit, and the other on the pre-facelift model.

Both variants are fitted with a new entry-level 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 148PS at 6,000 rpm and 20.1kgm of peak torque at 4,200 rpm.

The base Outlander 20E (pre-facelift body) is available with 2WD or AWD and is priced from 1,995,000 Yen, which comes to around US$21,800 or €15,100.

The Outlander Roadest 2.0 with the sporty aero parts, also offered with 2WD or AWD, starts from 2,475,900 Yen, or about US$27,100 / €18,800 at today's exchange rates.

Redesigned 2010 Outlander with EVO Facsia Teased on Mitsubishi's U.S. Website

We can't say that we're surprised, but while Mitsubishi has yet to issue an official release on its archaic and infrequently updated U.S. media site, the facelifted 2010 Outlander has made its appearance on the company's public website... As with the Chinese and Australian market versions of the compact SUV, the U.S.-spec 2010 Outlander gains a newly designed front fascia with different headlamps, reshaped bumper, hood and front fenders along with a "jet fighter" look grille that brings the vehicle's styling in line with the brand's latest models.

There's no word if the U.S. market model benefits from any other cosmetic tweaks, mechanical upgrades or equipment improvements, but what we do know is that, according to the company's website, the 2010 Outlander will go on sale in the States in November.

Unless Mitsubishi decides at some point to share any information with the press, we'll probably have to head over to one of the firm's dealers to find out more on the '10 Outlander...

Link: Mitsubishi USA

Aussie Debut for 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander EVO...lution

For some reason, Mitsubishi has decided to launch its updated 2010 Outlander SUV, which is inspired from the 2009 NY Show Outlander GT concept, first in markets such as China and now, Australia, before Europe, the USA and even its own home market in Japan. The big news for the 2010 model year is the adoption of the Lance EVO-like front fascia with the company's trademark "jet fighter" grille complemented by the reshaped front bumper and headlamps, side mirrors, fenders and bonnet. A new rear bumper and side sills complete the styling upgrades on the outside.

Other improvements for the Australian-spec Outlander include the addition of a Hill Start Control to automatic transmission models and Super All Wheel Control system, which uses a front limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled four-wheel drive coupling to prevent wheel slip between front to rear and side-to-side, to the V6 models.

In Australia, the 2010 model year Outlander continues to be offered with two gasoline engine choices. The base 2.4-litre 4-cylinder unit produces 125kW / 168HP and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Drivers that want more power can opt for the 3.0-liter V6 that generates 169kW / 227HP, or 7kW more than the previous unit thanks to various improvements including a reduction in intake restriction plus optimized camshaft timing and compression ratio. The V6 is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode sequential style gear shift change.

Via: Autoblog.com

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Facelift with EVO Snout Breaks Cover in China

While all eyes were (and continue to be, for that matter) focused on the Frankfurt Show premieres, Mitsubishi quietly took the wraps off its gently refreshed Outlander in China. As you can see from these photos that come to us from China's Auto.sohu, just like the Outlander GT Prototype that was displayed at the New York Show this past April, the 2010 model year Outlander obtains a more aggresive fascia with some heavy Lancer influence in that 'jet-fighter' grille.

Unless we're missing out on something , the reshaped front bumper, side mirrors, fenders and hood pretty much complete the cosmetic upgrades for the Chinese market model.

We're not sure if the Japanese automaker will use the Frankfurt Show to launch the European market 2010 Outlander, but if it does, it will most likely feature the same styling tweaks as the Chinese market model.

Pics: Auto.Sohu