Paul Tan's Automotive News » Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution set to take on Pikes Peak

Anthony Lim — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:01:43 +0000

Click to enlarge.

Mitsubishi is set to enter two all-electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Class of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this coming July, and the company is banking on its i-MiEV Evolution to bag the honours in the segment.

The Evolution is a specially-prepared competition version based on the i-MiEV all-electric vehicle – it uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV, but tweaked for performance, and the system is fitted on a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl.

The four-wheel drive vehicle’s three motors (one front, two rear) each delivers 80 kW for a system total of 240 kW, and the single-seater – which will be piloted by Dakar winner Hiroshi Masuoka for Pikes – rides on 18-inch wheels and 245/40 series rubbers.

The second Mitsubishi EV entry for the event will be a 49 kW production i-MiEV, modified with a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment for the climb.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Motors Thailand to export the Mirage to Japan

Danny Tan — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:51:42 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, which builds the Mirage at its Laem Chabang plant in Chonburi, will export the small car to Japan. Export volume has not been confirmed, but shipment starts in July, according to the Bangkok Post.

The Thai-made Mirage will be inspected by MMC personnel from Japan before exports start to ensure quality is on par with Japanese standards. MMC also plans to export the Mirage to ASEAN and Europe, among other markets.

“It is important to maintain the same level of high quality offered by vehicles produced at plants in Japan. I believe that the new Mirage is a highly competitive model that will be widely accepted in markets all over the world. We have high hopes that this global strategic model, the new Mirage, will play a big role in further growth of our company,” said MMC president Osamu Masuko.

The Mirage went on sale in Thailand last month, priced between THB 380,000 to 551,000. So far, 15,000 bookings have been collected and deliveries are expected to start this month. It has been spotted in Malaysia already, and we’re expecting Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia to introduce the car in the near future.

Click here for more info and a full gallery from Thailand.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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SPIED: Masked Mitsubishi Mirage spotted in a parking lot

Chris Ng — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:35:57 +0000

It is only a matter of time that the Mitsubishi Mirage arrives here after its debut at the Bangkok Motor Show. So here are its first proofs that it is in the Klang Valley. Thanks for eagle-eye reader Tan for these pictures.

While the car’s façade and rear end is masked, there are some hints that point to this car being the Mirage. The front bumper and fog lamps resemble that from Thailand, so is its wheels. As for its rear, the fuel cap placement and the bumper design are identical to what was shown.

The picture also tells that the Mirage we will be getting will come with a rear roof spoiler and that one of the colours will be offered is the Eisen Gray Mica. No indication as yet to when the car will be launched or any other information at this point of time.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Mirage production begins in Thailand – 15,000 orders taken for the compact hatch in the first month

Anthony Lim — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:58:08 +0000

Full-scale production of Mitsubishi’s global compact car, the Mirage, has kicked off in Thailand – the car is being produced at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s third factory at the Laem Chabang Plant, which is the company’s largest plant and export hub outside of Japan.

The car made its debut at the Bangkok Motor Show on March 27, and began selling in the Kingdom the next day, with five variants available for that market, all wearing a 1.2 litre 3A92 three-cylinder MIVEC mill offering 78 PS at 6,000 rpm and 100 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

The Mirage has become a hot seller in Thailand since its launch less than a month ago, with more 15,000 orders taken for the little hatch. Japanese sales begin in the summer, and the car is set to be introduced in other ASEAN countries this year – can we expect it to be heading our way?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to launch i-MiEV power box

Chris Ng — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:16:40 +0000

Click to enlarge.

There was a time when only the Nissan Leaf was able to do this: supply electrical power from its internal battery. Now the Mitsubishi i-MiEV can do the same… well, almost.

The unit that makes this possible is called the ‘MiEV power BOX’ that plugs in directly to the quick-charge connector. It converts the energy stored within the battery into AC 100V. A fully charged battery is able to supply up to 1,500 watts of electrical goodness and it is good for a constant supply of up to six hours, which according to Mitsubishi, is the amount of power consumed by an average Japanese household in a day.

Click to enlarge.

The MiEV power BOX is not designed to power an entire house, just the essential electrical appliances. The grand vision is that, with this converter, the i-MiEV can be an alternative power source when you are away from home or in an emergency. Undoubtedly, this will come in very handy when during natural disasters that knocks out the national power grid.

The unit will go on sale in Japan on April 27 for ¥149,800 or approximately RM5,800.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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VIDEO: Mitsubishi Triton VGT Hardcore Powerslide!

Paul Tan — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:29:46 +0000

Here’s a strange video of a Mitsubishi Triton sliding into a corner. No idea what it is about though. It could be part of a campaign promoting the Triton VGT, but then again, it could be anything!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Mirage debuts in Bangkok – five variants in all

Anthony Lim — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:59:51 +0000

The ongoing Bangkok Motor Show saw the debut of the Mitsubishi Mirage compact hatch on Tuesday – the car goes on sale this week in Thailand, and in all, five variants are available for the Thai market.

The range spans two five-speed manual transmission versions, the entry-level GL and the GLX, as well as three CVT-equipped versions, the GLX, GLS and the range-topping GLS Ltd. As mentioned previously, the five-door hatchback will be priced between THB 380,000 (RM38,000) to 551,000 (RM55,100) in the Kingdom.

All versions wear the same mill, in this case a 1.2 litre 3A92 three-cylinder MIVEC unit, which offers 78 PS at 6,000 rpm and 100 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Mitsubishi is heavily touting the frugalness of the unit in terms of fuel consumption, with up to 22 km per litre being bandied in previous reports.

The car features EPS and wears a McPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension as well as front disc/rear drum brakes. All versions ride on 14-inch wheels and 165/65 series tyres, but only the GLS and GLS Ltd versions get alloys; the GL and the GLX manual / CVT come with steel wheels, though both GLX variants get full wheel covers.

Features include 60:40 split rear seats, power folding side mirrors and an engine start/stop button, though the last presumably is only for the range-topping versions. Other numbers: kerb weight starts at 830 kg for the base model right up to 870 kg for the GLS Ltd, and the Mirage is equipped with a 35 litre capacity fuel tank.

Mitsubishi Thailand has a range of optional accessories packages for the car, including Sport bodykit and Platinum dress-up ones, and there are plenty of garnish options available for the Mirage, from a rear spoiler to centre panel accents.

Eight shades make up the choice of exterior colours available for the hatch, with the hero colour being Lemonade Yellow Metallic. There’s also Pop Green Metallic, Cerulean Blue Mica, Red Metallic, Cool Silver Metallic, White Pearl, Eisen Gray Mica and Black Mica.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Triton LITE Turbo – now open for bookings

Danny Tan — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:15:26 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has announced that its order books are now open for the soon to be launched Triton LITE Turbo. Launched in 2008 here, the LITE is the workhorse of the Triton range, and the most affordable one in the family. As the new name suggests, the LITE will now have turbo power.

The new engine is based on the previous 2.5L eight-valve SOHC IDI diesel engine, but with a turbocharger bolted on. It now makes 89 PS and 196 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm, an improvement over the old 75 PS and 149 Nm at 2,500 rpm. That’s a substantial 14 PS and 47 Nm more, and max torque is also made 500 rpm lower.

This should translate to better acceleration and lugging power, things the LITE can do with. Like before, the Triton Lite is only available as a 4X2 and with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Other new things include a “stylish designed ‘sedan’ look” (we have no idea either!), new design 15-inch alloys, chrome finished door handles and side mirrors, plus LITE Turbo stickers for the workhorse. Inside, the new LITE Turbo adds on a dual-tone colour scheme and a new single-DIN head unit with AUX-in jack.

Click to enlarge price list

Available in Cool Silver Metallic or White Solid, the Thai-made Triton LITE Turbo is priced at RM64,053.80 on-the-road without insurance. This is around RM1,600 costlier than the non-turbo LITE, which is fair. Buyers will get two years free maintenance on top of the three-year/100,000 km warranty.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Triton VGT showcased at MV this weekend

Anthony Lim — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:02:49 +0000

If you’ve been wanting to catch the Mitsubishi Triton VGT in the metal, but haven’t yet been able to pop by the showrooms, you can well catch the pickup truck at the Mitsubishi showcase taking place in Mid Valley Megamall, which runs into the weekend.

The showcase began yesterday, and runs until this Sunday, March 25 from 10 am to 10 pm daily, and is located at the Centre Court in the shopping centre.

The variant, as mentioned in our pre-launch story and test drive report, features a 2.5 litre VGT diesel mill, offering 178 PS at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, available earlier in the rev range at 1,800 rpm right up to 3,500 rpm.

Visitors to the Mitsubishi showcase can also expect to view the ASX compact crossover and Lancer GT sedan alongside the Triton VGT, and will also stand a chance to win exciting prizes such as a Samsung Galaxy Note, Issey Miyake fragrances, Rayban sunglasses and Polar Band watches.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Mirage to begin selling in Thailand end-March

Anthony Lim — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:16:10 +0000

Mitsubishi’s Mirage compact is set to begin selling in Thailand starting from March 28, making the Kingdom the first country to market the global offering. After Thailand, the Mirage will be exported to ASEAN countries, then gradually make its way to Japan, Europe and other markets around the world.

The Mirage – which made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year – will be made at a brand-new third factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s Laem Chabang Plant, which is the largest MMC plant outside of Japan.

The Thai-market Mirage will be equipped with a 1.2 litre MIVEC engine, and will offer a fuel efficiency of 22 km per litre, among the best in its class, and above the Thai government’s requirements for an eco-car certification.

The five-door hatchback will be priced between THB 380,000 (RM38,000) to 551,000 (RM55,100), depending on trim level, and plans are to sell 2,500 units per month in Thailand.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Triton VGT launched in Kuching – we drive it!

Danny Tan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:31:09 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia officially launched the Triton VGT last Friday evening in Kuching. Held at the Spring shopping centre in Sarawak’s capital, the event was a great combo of lights and action, and the truck was put through some impressive live demos for mall-goers. How about the truck towing our 11,700 kg media bus with 10 hacks inside as a party trick, eh?

We’ve already posted up full details of the latest Triton variant, but here’s a recap. The Triton has been strengthened with a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) engine and a five-speed automatic gearbox with Sports Mode. There’s also some new equipment and exterior enhancements to fortify the package.

With 178 PS, Mitsubishi is claiming the “most powerful in its class” title for now, but a main selling point is that the improved 350 Nm of torque is now available over a broad range – 1,800 to 3,500 rpm, to be exact. This, plus the extra ratio and manual gear selection, significantly improves the RM106k Triton’s case, as we found out driving it around Kuching.

Continue reading after the jump.

We started from Kuching’s Four Points Hotel and made a big 220 km loop before ending up in Damai. The route was a good mix of on and off-road sections. In fact, I’ve never been to a test drive event with such a big emphasis on off-road driving, short of being a dedicated off-road event. Not complaining though!

Let’s get the less important things out of the way first. The Triton was a revolutionary design when it debuted five years ago, and it still looks modern today, even if some “wow” has been lost due to familiarity. A VGT-powered example can be spotted via the chrome “fangs” on the bumper extender, larger 17-inch alloys and matte black roll bars. I personally don’t dig the shiny stuff up front, but as a whole, the VGT looks bolder and sportier.

There’s some useful new equipment to be had, too. Inside, you’ll find a new Kenwood head-unit with Bluetooth, iPod and USB connectivity. The single-DIN player looks good with blue and white illumination.

The RV multi info meter panel (shows average FC, range, barometer, compass, altimeter, temperature, etc) adds some gadgetry cool to an otherwise simple dashboard. Front parking sensors join the regular rear ones, and there’s a visual display at the base of the windscreen. There’s an on/off switch for the front sensors.

The Triton’s dashboard is attractive for a truck, and is actually more boldly styled than MMC’s own Lancer series, in my opinion. Nothing great material-wise; this is a truck, so the panels feel more robust than plush. Less shine on the main dash moulding and a more attractive texture (pinstripes now) would be good, but it’s not a deal breaker.

Another point on the wish list is more thigh support for the front seats, which are rather flat bottomed. At the back, it’s as good as it gets for a truck. If you want a pick-up truck, but regularly fetch people you love, the Triton is currently the best option.

However, the most important point here is that the VGT improvements really make a difference in the drive. Snail-like Lite aside, the Triton has never been accused for being underpowered, but this VGT engine is significantly stronger in pull.

Give the gas pedal a bootful and you’ll notice that lag isn’t an issue, and the “flat torque” Mitsubishi is so proud of makes a difference – instead of easing off to the next gear ASAP, it’s worthwhile extending the engine here.

The Triton VGT is a big upgrade – besides the engine, MMC has thrown in a new gearbox as well. The old four-speed auto makes way for a five-speeder with Sports Mode.

Usually, this stick-shift driver rarely uses manual selection on good automatic vehicles (if I’m forced to take matters into my own hands, it’s not doing a good job), but the manual override function on the Triton VGT is a valuable addition.

In our off-road stint, which included some steep slopes and declines, the power to choose your gear and utilise engine braking was very welcome. First gear, foot off the gas and rolling down a slope may be the poor man’s Hill Descent Control, but it works.

Engine braking is good to minimise braking on loose ground, and storming through the estate was made more fun. Speaking of that, the Triton is no mere pretty boy, it’s a tough lad that can follow the Hilux anywhere off the beaten path. MMC has more Dakar Rally wins than any other manufacturer, and I’m sure that counts for something!

Back on tarmac, the transmission’s extra ratio benefits cruising economy; MMM says that the Triton VGT does 14.4 km/l at a 90 km/h cruise, which is just 0.1 km/l poorer than the standard 2.5L AT variant, despite the extra firepower. The engine ticks at a subdued 2,100 rpm at 110 km/h.

The pick-up truck market isn’t a cushy place to be in, and it’s about to get more crowded. Good thing then that the improvements introduced in the Triton VGT brings it, to me at least, above every truck on sale now. The combination of stylish looks and great space with more power and more gears will ensure that the Triton will not sink when the big waves come.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV Eco Tourism Pilot Demo Program starts – EV is now available at Four Seasons Resort, Langkawi

Danny Tan — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:01:07 +0000

Langkawi seduces, not for the first time. Peering out from MH1438′s window, the cluster of 99 islands in the blue sea that make up Langkawi immediately calms the mind, and brings a smile. And when the Four Seasons Resort is your home away from home, you’ll want to stay for awhile. But we got work to do, so time to get down and dirty.

Or not, because the car we’re here to drive is as clean as they come. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, which in October last year became the first to register a full electric vehicle in Malaysia, is launching its Eco-Tourism Pilot Demonstration Program, starring the i-MiEV.

If you don’t already know, the i-MiEV is based on MMC’s i minicar, but there’s no internal combustion engine and no need to refuel, because it’s 100% battery powered and rechargeable. Zero tailpipe emissions, too.

And it’s no fancy concept either – the i-MiEV is a production car already on sale elsewhere, and hopefully one day, Malaysia. It was first sold domestically in 2009, before European sales started in 2010. The little car was launched in North America late last year.

Here’s how the program works. MMM is loaning one unit of the i-MiEV to Four Seasons Langkawi, where guests of the five-star resort can use around the island, for free. No money required, just feedback.

This will go on for two months from 23 February. The stated mission is to gain better understanding of customer behaviour and expectations from an EV. There’s some prestige to be had for both parties too, in my opinion, since everyone is flashing their eco credentials these days.

“Fundamentally, eco tourism means making as little environmental impact as possible and encouraging the preservation of environment when visiting a place. 100% electric with zero emissions, yet offering surprising power and a smooth quiet ride, the i-MiEV is the greenest way to drive in Langkawi,” Tetsuya Oda, CEO of MMM proclaimed.

“This fits perfectly into our philosophy of engaging in sustainable practices that conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact,” Philippe Larrieu, Four Seasons Langkawi Resort Manager chipped in.

We understand that after its stint at Four Seasons, WVY 159 will continue to serve Langkawi at another location. By the way, MMM, as pioneer, went through nearly one year of working with various authorities to help chart a new course in a system where tax is charged according to engine cubic capacity (the i-MiEV has none, remember), among other obstacles.

And of course, there’s the usual process of getting type approval etc. If you’re wondering, road tax for the i-MiEV is RM10 per year, after a 50% EV discount. Not sure how they arrived there, though. Notice the road tax sticker says “49000 W” in place of where the engine cubic capacity normally as – it reflects the i-MiEV’s 49kW motor power.

At the event, we also learnt something new from Takayuki Yatabe of MMC’s EV Business Promotion Department. In a “did you know” moment, the Tokyo based exec shared that the i-MiEV is great as an emergency power source, since its lithium ion battery pack stores the equivalent of one and a half days of the electricity used by a typical Japanese household.

He added that MMC is developing tech that will allow i-MiEVs to supply up to 1,500 watts of electricity to power electric jugs, rice cookers, hair dryers, and other small but vital appliances. Not so useful here perhaps, but Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes, which could knock out electricity supply. In fact, 60 units of the i-MiEV were used for relief purposes in the earthquake/tsunami disaster last year, when gasoline supply dried up.

After all that, I hopped into the car for a spin round the block. Having driven various EVs before, including a pre-production i-MiEV, the stint wasn’t as eye opening as it could be, but it’s still a stark contrast from regular motoring. For one, you twist the key (same design as other Mitsus) but there’s no resulting sound or vibration, only a signal from the instrument cluster that the i-MiEV is ready to roll. Step on it and it glides off with a synthesised whirr.

Yes, the sound on take off and low speeds is manufactured and comes out from a speaker. This is for safety purposes, in case pedestrians can’t hear an EV coming. Apparently, the sound has been agreed upon by all carmakers, sort of like an “official EV noise” if there’s such a thing. Sounds very natural, and I wouldn’t have noticed if they didn’t say, honestly.

Keep your foot on the gas and the ample torque (180 Nm from rest) gets you to highway speeds in a blink. It’s like a powerful regular car, just without the engine/exhaust note we’re accustomed to. The rate of acceleration tapers off once you’re cruising along, but one’s not meant to race around in this anyway. Instead, keeping an eye on the Charge/Eco/Power bar becomes second nature. Lower is better, battery lasts longer.

Everything else feels regular, except that tyre roar becomes so much more apparent when it’s the only noise you hear. The steering felt a little heavy for me, although there’s no big issue with the regenerative brakes (some early hybrids with these brakes had odd pedal feel).

The i-MiEV is a great runabout, and I can see myself driving it everyday without compromise. Measured by the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) the car is capable of 150 km on a full charge. Even if we take 100 km as a realistic figure, many daily routines will be covered, and charging can be done overnight (eight hours at 230 volts). Can’t be that cumbersome, since some people charge their smartphones more often than that!

The only thing stopping MMM is cost. EVs and their batteries are currently expensive to make, and it will be uncompetitive without government incentives in the form of rebates and subsidies. If you’re wondering how long the batteries in the i-MiEV will last – Mitsubishi estimates about 70% capacity by the end of 10 years.

To give you an idea, the Japanese government gives a subsidy of 50% of the difference in price between EV and regular model. For instance, if a 660cc Mitsubishi i is RM100k and the i-MiEV’s natural price is RM200k, the subsidy will be worth RM50k. Currently, the G model i-MiEV is priced at JPY 3.8 million (RM145,017), but after subsidy, the price becomes JPY 2.84 million, or RM108,381. In the US, the i-MiEV is priced around $29k after rebate.

Norway is a great example of how popular an EV can be with support. Tax and VAT exempt, the i-MiEV also pays zero toll and can use bus lanes, making it the best selling A-segment vehicle in the country. Is the future electric? It’s all about the money, at the end of the day.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Triton VGT is here – 178 PS, 350 Nm, RM106k

Danny Tan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:41:14 +0000

The Triton VGT has appeared on Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s website, with specs and price. This “Hardcore” Triton comes after the Pajero Sport SUV got the VGT treatment last September. VGT stands for Variable Geometry Turbo, which is more efficient than the fixed geometry type.

The VGT diesel engine is essentially the same 2.5 litre DOHC 16-valve direct injection unit we’re familiar with, but fortified with VGT and new engine management. From 136 PS and 314 Nm, the figures now read 178 PS at 4,000 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 3,500 rpm.

Apart from the 42 PS and 36 Nm advantage, max torque is now available across a broad range (MMM calls it flat torque), as opposed to the fixed 2,000 rpm point of old. Drivability should be much improved as a result.

With 178 PS, MMM is claiming the “most powerful in its class” title from the 174 PS Nissan Navara. In fact, the Triton VGT’s figures shadow the discontinued Triton 3.2′s 160 PS/343 Nm, making the bigger capacity truck redundant.

It’s not just the engine that’s new, but its drivetrain partner as well. Out goes the four-speed auto and in comes a five-speed automatic gearbox with Sports Mode. The option to select gears manually is unique in the segment, for now. No stick shift VGT available here.

Looks-wise, the Triton VGT gets a front bumper extender, matte black roll bar and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, you’ll find a Bluetooth and iPod compatible Kenwood head unit and auto climate control. Front corner sensors with display visual join the rear ones to aid parking.

Dual airbags, ABS/EBD and the multi info RV meter (range, average speed, fuel consumption, digital compass, barometer, altimeter and outside temperature) are standard. Click on the pic below to enlarge the equipment list.

Available in three colours – White Solid, Black Mica and Cool Silver Metallic – the imported-from-Thailand Triton VGT is priced at RM105,997 on-the-road, inclusive of insurance. By the way, the Triton VGT is not a replacement for the non-VGT Triton – both will be sold by MMM alongside the Triton Lite.

A test drive report will be coming soon, stay tuned!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV Prototype racer to take on Pikes Peak!

Paul Tan — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:40:29 +0000

The sketch above is a preview of an upcoming all-electric racer that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will be entering in the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, an annual event set to happen in Colorado on the 8th of July 2012. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an annual automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the 4,300 meter summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado with entrants covering an elevation difference of almost 1,500 meters.

The EV racer is called the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Prototype, and it is based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. You can actually still see the i-MiEV in the middle, but it’s surrounded by what appears to be one mega huge widebody that extends both the length and width of the i-MiEV, presumably to make the egg-shaped car more corner-friendly. MMC will use the data obtained through its participation in the event to enhance the durability and reliability of pure EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs which it will be bringing to market in the near future.

The i-MiEV Prototype will be driven by Hiroshi Masuoka, a legendary race driver whom during the course of decades of racing success took on the brutal Dakar Rally 21 times, winning it consecutively in 2002 and 2003, driving Mitsubishi Pajero and Pajero Evolution models respectively.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi to debut all-new 2012 Outlander in Geneva

Anthony Lim — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:20:20 +0000

The all-new Geneva debutant teased by Mitsubishi last month now has a name and face to it – the vehicle is the next-generation Outlander. The SUV is set for its global premiere at the Swiss show next month.

The European-market specification Outlander will get both petrol and diesel variants – the petrol mill is the 4J11 2.0 litre SOHC MIVEC four-cylinder, which employs an all-new valvetrain, while the diesel job is the 4N14 2.2 litre turbocharged four-pot MIVEC engine, the latter working with a 2WD drivetrain and six-speed manual transmission. There’s no mention of output figures, but Geneva should take care of that.

Among the items in the kitbag are an Auto Stop&Go idle-stop system, an Adaptive Cruise Control System, Lane Departure Warning System as well as a Forward Collision Mitigation System, the last which detects obstacles on the road ahead of the car and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision.

Interior features include a gloss black instrument panel, silver decorative accents for the switches and the use of soft-touch dashboard trim material. Meanwhile, the second- and third-row seats can be easily configured to provide a number of seating patterns and also a long luggage space with a flat floor, and there’s a power-operated tailgate too.

The vehicle is set to be launched first in Russia this summer, after which it will make its debut in European, Japanese, Chinese, Oceania and North American markets. And sometime later this year, a plug-in hybrid Outlander is due to be introduced.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi ASX upgraded for 2012 – now with 17-inch alloys and smart key/push-start ignition, RM138k

Anthony Lim — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:25:06 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has announced the introduction of the upgraded ASX crossover. The 2012 year changes for the vehicle includes new 17-inch alloy wheels and a smart key/push-start ignition system.

Also new to the ASX are auto-retractable side mirrors, and the premium leather seats now feature enhanced comfort and increased lumbar support.

Otherwise, the vehicle continues on as is – the 150 PS 2.0 litre MIVEC mill and six-speed CVT box remains unchanged, as are the rest of the features list, which includes items such as magnesium paddle shifters, coloured LCD multi-info display, 2-DIN touchscreen entertainment system and rear view camera.

The 2012 ASX – which hits the showrooms on February 2 – is available in four colours, these being White Pearl, Mica Black, Red Metallic and Titanium Grey, and is priced at RM138,156 (on the road, exclusive of insurance), complete with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty and two-year maintenance package.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi to produce ASX in Indonesia starting this year

Danny Tan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:11:59 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors has announced it will start production and sales of the ASX (also known as Outlander Sport) in Indonesia. This will happen in the first half of MMC’s fiscal year 2012. FY 2011 for MMC ends on 31 March this year, so assembly will start anytime from April to September. The compact crossover will be put together at P.T. Krama Yudha Ratu Motor Factory (KRM), MMC’s consigned assembler in Indonesia.

“Introduction of the Outlander Sport is going be the beginning of a new history for both KTB (P.T. Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors, MMC’s exclusive distributor for Indonesia) and MMC,” MMC President Osamu Masuko said in Jakarta.

This move is part of MMC’s effort to concentrate resources on emerging markets, a major pillar of its JUMP 2013 mid-term business plan announced in January 2011. The fast growing ASEAN region is high priority.

For Malaysia, MMC announced in September 2011 that it is working on a strategic collaboration with Proton that will see the latter produce engines for MMC. The scope also includes consignment production of Mitsubishi vehicles at Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant, and sharing of components between MMC’s Mirage and Proton’s upcoming “Global Small Car”.

At that time, the ASX was said to be one of the models for CKD, but it looks like Indonesia has got that job now. Of course, the Proton-MMC collaboration was done before the national carmaker had a new owner in DRB-Hicom. Will working with MMC fit in with DRB’s plans for Proton, or not?

The ASX featured in our recent five-fold mega SUV shootout – click here to read that one.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi teases all-new vehicle ahead of Geneva debut

Danny Tan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:10:40 +0000

Click to enlarge image

Detroit has passed and now it’s Geneva’s turn in the annual major motor show calendar, so expect to see teasers and online reveals before the wraps come off in Switzerland in March. Here’s one from Mitsubishi, teasing a new model from the front. While it looks like a development of the Concept PX-MiEV, MMC didn’t give any clue on the type of vehicle, only saying that it’s an all new model.

To be sold within this year, this mystery model marks the start of an all-new generation of global products for Mitsubishi Motors, which is set in MMC’s “Jump 2013” business plan for a greener and more global Mitsubishi. This new family of cars and SUVs will see a “gradual transition to a re-focused design language”.

This new design language is not yet finalised, but it’s said to be flexible enough to suit specific vehicle requirements whilst staging MMC’s famous Three Diamond logo accordingly. The company says that this “engineering-driven look” will be “refined yet assertive”.

Click here to see the Concept PX-MiEV that was shown in Tokyo 2011.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Five-fold mega SUV shootout: Mitsubishi ASX v Nissan X-Trail v Honda CR-V v Hyundai Tucson v Peugeot 3008!

Danny Tan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:35:33 +0000

Granted, the sport utility vehicle segment has a different luster than that of more than a decade ago, when the class was fresh and burgeoning, and manufacturers were falling over each other to fill the slots in the new opening. Then, robustness was generally the operative word, so an SUV had to be tough to tackle terrain and yet be compliant enough for urban use. Not the easiest thing to manage, you can imagine.

Time – as well as trial and error – has seen the category become more refined, and the sparkle these days is probably better at wooing buyers. A more focused scope has come about, with the need to be able to traverse the great outdoors in rugged fashion pretty much left behind, like it should have been in the first place. Today’s SUV is very much a suburban-centric offering, aimed at the urban crowd for which a sedan doesn’t have enough space and presence, and a MPV too much, and boringly so.

Now, most of us know how capable these vehicles are, taken on their own, but how do they fare when pitted against each other? With that in mind, we decided to take a closer look at how they match up, pitting five examples – the Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Peugeot 3008 – in a quintet face-off to see how it all shapes up.

There are other contenders, namely the new Kia Sportage, the Suzuki Grand Vitara, the long-in-the-tooth Ford Escape as well as the likes of the Chevrolet Captiva, for example, but adding more than what we ended up with would have made the task unmanageable. It’s all nice to read a nine or 10 SUV shootout, but doing one is another thing altogether.

That said, on with the show to see which one ends up as the king of this particular hill.

EXTERIOR

Danny says

The five SUVs assembled here range from a big box to one not much bigger than the hatchback it’s based on, from building blocks to fluidic sculptures, so there’s bound to be one to suit one’s taste. Agree?

I’m not much of an SUV kind of guy (the Audi Q5 is another matter), and there is no overwhelming favourite for me either, but I like the blend of sharp lines and compact proportions of the Mitsubishi ASX. This deep shade of red probably isn’t the most flattering, and it could do with a sportier set of wheels, but I like it best.

The most flamboyant of the group by a mile is the Hyundai Tucson. It’s very eye-catching, and like Anthony, I like that muscular rear three-quarters view the best. Not so in love with the fussy face, but this is a great example of a self-confident, expressive design, as opposed to the “play safe, don’t offend” looks of previous gen Koreans. It’s a gamble, but it’s paying off big time for Hyundai.

Never liked the popping eyes + double grille look of the CR-V, which for reasons unknown, brings a startled hippo to mind. The Honda is no longer repulsive thanks to familiarity, but it’s not pretty either, which brings us to the Peugeot. The 3008 is just too odd for me – the proportions, overhangs, and that face – I just don’t get it. Would love to interview the designer someday, just to know what inspired him. I quite like how its MPV sibling 5008 looks, though

One can’t fault the X-Trail for being a box, because that’s wholly intentional on Nissan’s part. The carmaker says that first-gen X-Trail owners (and there are many of them) love their SUV’s macho square cut lines, so they made more of the same. And with more rivals going the crossover route, the “keep it true” X-Trail may find itself serving a large number of taste buds.

As they say, one man’s meat…

Harvinder says

Lets face it. Looks are somewhat important when you talk about cars and it’s correct to assume so in this case. Good looking cars somehow attract us, but at end the of the day, if a car is good looking to one it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good looking to another. All subjective, to say the least.

In the case of these five SUVs I must admit that two cars stand out from the pack. One is the Peugeot 3008, while the other is the Hyundai Tucson. I think you can safely guess why the 3008 is in my standout list. Well, yes, you’re right, it stands out because it does look a little quirky, perhaps a little too modern for today’s tastes.

Don’t get me wrong, the 3008 does have some good angles, but definitely not as many compared to the rest of the line-up we have here. The taillights remind me of strawberries for some reason, while the front makes me think of JAWS. Weird, I know, but that’s what crossed my mind. Then we have the Hyundai Tucson at the end of spectrum, something that has gone through a lot to come this far.

At first glance, the Tucson strikes you as a good looking thing. Very sweet and pleasant from almost any angle. Hyundai’s designers have been working around the clock to come up with the designs they have now, which I must say, are rather appealing. In this case, just like other Hyundais at the moment, the form is treated with the fluidic design concept and it’s working well here.

However, I do feel that the car is a little too ‘fluidic’ for me, if you know what I mean. There’s a tad too much on the design lines, which I consider the only off-putting thing the Tucson has in terms of design. Nevertheless, that’s just me as the design seems to the be cup of tea to many out there, and I can understand why.

As for Nissan X-Trail, I find this one a bit too utilitarian, a little too boxy. It looks as though it has a lot of design elements that doesn’t seem to fit well together. At times, I feel that some design elements on the X-Trail are afterthoughts. The Honda CR-V seems like a decent looking offering, with the right proportions and not overcooked. However, I think the Tucson comes up ahead of the X-Trail and the CR-V in the design department.

Among all the SUVs we have here, I consider the Mitsubishi ASX as the SUV with the right balance in the looks category. I like the fact that it has Mitsubishi’s trademark jet fighter grille. The aggressiveness is a nice touch and it doesn’t breach the “too much” point in the scale. The ASX looks very good from almost every angle, and is the only SUV here that really looks like a car.

Overall, the Hyundai Tucson and the Mitsubishi ASX are my choices in terms of design. Comparing both, I find that the Tucson is a bit too flashy for me, probably like a model who has a little too much make up, while the ASX feels about right.

Anthony says

The assembled bunch looked every bit the motley crew, what with the box-like X-Trail mixing it up with the flowing Tucson, and the ASX and 3008 looking more crossover than SUV. An interesting mix of shapes, to say the least.

From an aesthetics point of view, the X-Trail isn’t going to win any contests for being the curviest creature, or indeed the sexiest thing on four donuts. With a shape that feels like slabs chunked together, this is very much a box on wheels. The utilitarian shape, however, hints at the volumetric scope within, and you just know this one – which is larger than the first-generation model – is going to offer loads of it. Function over form, indeed.

The Tucson takes its place at the other end of the swing, and showboats all those curves and swoops like it’s going out of fashion. Certainly, there’s nothing reserved about how it parades its wares, though I have reservations as to how the lines will hold up as time progresses. I love the rear though, viewed straight on from behind; of the five, it’s the derriere with the most flair and appeal.

As for the CR-V, the third-generation model is heading towards its end of duty tour, but retains a balanced appeal about it. Not the most exciting, the RE, but plying the safe route means the exterior has held up well enough over the four years plus of its life cycle so far. For sure, the buying public has found – and continues to find – its quiet elegance to be more than agreeable, and this includes my other half; the CR-V here happens to be her vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Peugeot rolls into the fray here looking a bit of an oddity, like it doesn’t quite belong. It’s the smallest looking vehicle of the bunch, and the shape drew mixed opinions from the team. I quite like the front from certain angles, but for sure it’s not the type of vehicle you’d gawk at the whole day. The European influence in its lines is unmistakable though, and it does look very solidly hewn compared to the Asian opposition.

Finally, the ASX. It’s the one with the leanest, most athletic stance, essentially looking very much the prowler. The wedge front works for me and the overall lines offer good proportionate scale, despite its lack of overall mass.

Indeed, it’s my pick of the five from the exterior point of view, the ASX. I’ve always preferred my cars lean and on the smaller side, and while the 3008 may also be so, its disposition is a bit too soft and too rounded for my taste. I’ve gotten so used to the CR-V it’s become a familiar shoe, so it doesn’t have quite the charm it once had. You can probably tell the X-Trail doesn’t work at all for me, and it never did even with the first incarnation. The Tucson’s flash is striking though, so it’s a close second in my books.

INTERIOR

Danny says

Throughout our test period, I spent the most time in the Nissan and Peugeot, collecting the former and returning the latter to their owners. I love the X-Trail’s cabin for its excellent view out (lots of glass, square corners) and comfort. The fabric seats are big and cushy, typically Nissan, and there’s nothing to learn or get used to – you just step in and drive.

However, the spartan look and feel may be a disadvantage in the showroom, making Nissan look stingy. But that’s not entirely true either.

While the X-Trail lacks some basic kit such as climate control, leather and buttons for the steering, as well as flashy toys such as the Hyundai’s push start button/panoramic roof, Mitsu’s 2-DIN head unit or Honda’s cool instrument panel, it’s the only car here to come with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat as well bi-xenons, kit that even the “fully-loaded” Euro-spec Peugeot doesn’t have. And if given a choice, I’d have those over auto air con and auto cruise.

It’s a car that that the family will love as well. Tall seating position, high roof, large windows and the useful boot trays with compartments are good for road trips or ronda-ronda sessions.

The Peugeot is a good family car as well, if you have a small family with young kids, that is. The expansive panoramic glass roof is spectacular, but rear legroom is very tight. Passable if someone my height is seated in front, but if they are tall, rear knee-room can go down to almost nothing. The 3008 must be tried for size, because it’s not for all.

It’s for those who want some sports car feel from their SUV. The Pug’s driving quarters is very cozy and enclosed, with a sloping centre stack and a tall centre console that divides the front section into two distinct areas.

It’s very cockpit like, and the driver is boss, which matches the driving character of the 3008. He/she is faced with plenty of toggle switches and twin pod dials. There’s also the much boasted head-up display (HUD), although I personally find this to be rather gimmicky.

Unlike BMW’s version, the image here is shot on a separate screen that can be erected by a toggle switch, and although the image (only digital km/h) can be adjusted for height, I still had to lower eye focus to view it, defeating the very purpose of HUD. The operation of the screen in our test car was also very noisy.

That aside, I wasn’t very comfortable with the angle of the left foot rest, and my idle foot became quite restless as a result. This is an unusual observation, since I’m usually immune to many ergonomic challenges pointed out by Paul and Harve.

Step into the Honda CR-V and it becomes clear why this is THE SUV to have for many upper middle-class households. It doesn’t have as many toys as some other cars in this test, or even as much soft touch plastics, but feels the most premium from behind the wheel. This isn’t easy to explain, but the lighting, that nice MID between the dials, the brushed trim, the tactile quality of the knobs and buttons, and the full house centre stack gives off a full-function, technical and expensive feel.

I also like the abundance of storage spaces and cubbies in the Honda, derived from locating the gear lever on the centre stack. Rear passengers are also in for a treat – legroom is superb in this company, although it could feel even more spacious with a lighter coloured cabin, as opposed to black.

The Mitsubishi ASX, which also has a dark room cabin, is much less spacious than the CR-V inside, something the spec sheets won’t tell you – the ASX’s 2,670 mm wheelbase is actually 50 mm longer than the Honda’s.

The good stuff surrounds the driver – nice sporty steering wheel, long magnesium shift paddles, clear (almost VW/Audi like) dials – but MMC has improved perceived quality over that in the Lancer.

The dash areas closest to occupants are now padded with soft touch plastics, as are the door caps. The multi-info display is colourful and high res, a big improvement over the jagged figures in the Lancer. Also, the instantaneous FC bar also has a “bookmark” for the average done so far, so there’s extra motivation to be light-footed, if that’s your direction.

The head unit is the usual locally-fitted (by MMM) Kenwood system, which isn’t the most user friendly, but it’s feature-packed (reverse camera, DVD player, large full colour touch-screen, etc) and looks impressive, so no complaints.

Last but not least, the Hyundai Tucson. Just like the bold shell, Hyundai has gone for showcar dashboard design that matches the exterior bravado. Lots of sweeping curves and elements means your eyes are in for a workout. There’s this theme of two opposing kinks in the overall dash mould, the centre stack as well as the steering wheel. As with modern Hyundais, the theme is blue. I can understand the modern, techy appeal of the Tucson’s dash, but personally I prefer something more subtle and refined.

Plenty of adjustment available in the Tucson, so driving positions for various sizes shouldn’t be a problem. Outward visibility is not great in this group, a high waistline and shallow windows see to that. Off the shoulder rear view is also poor, but with such a design, you can’t win it all. The showroom appeal and many toys (keyless entry, push button start, integrated stereo with USB, iPod and AUX input) might delay the dreaded knuckle rap, which reveals hard plastics. They don’t feel super nasty or cheap though, and is not an issue to many.

It’s also good that our 2.0 High Spec test car comes with a panoramic glass roof (split into two, like the W211 Merc E-Class, Sonata YF), since the cabin feels rather enveloping and dark in this company.

In terms of design, in and out, the Tucson is everything the X-Trail isn’t, vice versa. One is unapologetically utilitarian and functional, the other designed to wow and impress. I want some from both ends, and like the CR-V’s blend of good comfort and space, plus premium feel dashboard.

Harvinder says

The cabin is one of the most important things one should consider when buying a car, and unfortunately many potential buyers or owners out there spend less time thinking about a car’s interior before making the decision. It is a place where the driver and his passengers will spend most of the time throughout the ownership experience.

Before I continue with my bit on the interior, I must point out that out of all the SUVs we have here, three are Japanese, one is Korean while another is French. Now, I don’t think I need to emphasize that when it comes interior, the European guys have been doing it well and the Asian rivals, although some are pretty good, are still playing catch up in this department.

To me, I feel that is is true in this case at least. The Peugeot 3008 to me, has the best interior when it comes to tactility and comfort for the driver. As soon as you get into the driver’s seat, you’ll instantly tell yourself that “this is not a driver’s seat, this is a cockpit”. The driver’s section is truly like a jet-fighter’s cockpit with the centre dash somewhat focused towards the driver.

Even the switches and knobs make you imagine you are in a car with wings. The tactility of the interior is pretty good as well, with soft-touch materials in the right places. Personally, I take seat comfort seriously and it is important to have something that is able to support your back properly. It pays when you have those long distance drives and to me, the seat also plays a role to making you feel that you are in a premium vehicle.

The French have got it right with the 3008. The front seats are very comfortable and they offer the best support among all SUVs we have here. I particularly like the headrest design, which reminds me of the ones used in the W211 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. You can tilt it forward to better support your lower neck.

Other features like the glass roof, the rear two-piece tail gate, dual zone air-conditioning and electric parking brake is a nice touch too, but I do agree with Danny on the part HUD portion which is a bit tricky to use. The major downside of the 3008’s interior is that the rear legroom is a little on the tighter side of things. It’s not a very comfortable place for large-sized occupants. Also, it would be great to have a fully-electric front seat, at least for the driver.

The Nissan X-Trail is not a bad place to be in either. It does look a bit utilitarian on the inside, with a rather simple feel to things, but it is quite comfortable and the space, including the rear cabin, is pretty good too.

If you’re okay with the simplistic approach, the X-Trail’s interior can be a nice place for you to be in. There are plenty of compartments, including a double luggage floor system, as well as a 6-way adjustable power seat for the driver, which interestingly is not offered with rest of the SUVs we have here.

The Honda CR-V also has a decent interior and for some reason, it does feel a little premium despite not having many soft-touch surfaces. Honda seems to be good in doing this, even with less expensive cars like the entry level City.

To me, the most striking thing about the CR-V’s interior is its rear legroom, which is very good. You’d be a very happy rear passenger; it’s reminiscent of the Civic, which also offers good legroom space. Just like the X-Trail, storage compartments are very much adequate in the Honda. There are also features like dual zone air-conditioning and cruise control, similar to the 3008.

Just like the exterior, the interior of the Hyundai Tucson also has carries over the flowing design. It looks pretty good if you ask me, but there is a let down though. The interior does not feel premium and it is even outperformed by the X-Trail, if you ask me. There are hard plastics everywhere and even for a car that has done over 30,000 kilometers, the interior felt worn a little, which isn’t a good thing.

Don’t get me wrong, the design is nice, but you have to wonder if it’ll last the distance. Things like the start-stop button are nice to have, but it does little to overshadow the flaws. The ASX has a decent interior which doesn’t look cluttered and at the same time, it doesn’t look cheap as well.

The seating position for the driver is just about right, making it a better option for those who like a sporty feel behind the wheel. I find that the full colour high-resolution LCD multi-information display nestled in between the instrument gauges quite a cool feature to have, thanks to a fuel consumption monitor that incorporates both instantaneous as well as average readings. The rear cabin could have used a little more legroom though.

Overall, I find that the Peugeot 3008 has the best interior; I can make do with the smaller rear cabin, although I really feel that an electric driver’s seat should have been included.

Anthony says

From an interior perspective, the differences in character continue to show. With practically most of the time being spent in the driver’s seat during the comparo, there was little time to delve in detail the sub-practicalities of things such as boot space and rear seat comfort levels, save for the CR-V, which I’m, erm, rather intimate with.

First up, the Tucson, which lends its allure through more sweeping contours on the inside, as well as with a host of tech bling – there’s stop-start button ignition and an auto dimming rear view central mirror, for starters. These mask the lack of items such as cruise control and going the manual air-conditioning route.

If there’s a gripe with the Tucson’s interior, it’s with the presentation – no complaints about how the layout is presented, but the design elan notwithstanding, the hard-looking plastics cheapen the visual appeal considerably. There are also questions about material durability. The interior of the evaluator, with more than 30k on the clock, looked a bit worse for wear. For example, the engine stop-start button’s wording was already looking quite worn, hence the questions.

Still, there’s much more fanfare in it than on the likes of the X-Trail and ASX, which both feature rather austere cabins. The ASX, with its blackened interior, feels the more spartan of the two, and is reminiscent of the Lancer sedan’s bare approach. It’s more premium in feel though than the Lancer material-wise, so points for this.

The ASX also doesn’t feel as small as you think it would be. The cabin is intimate, but not claustrophobic, even if larger-sized drivers in the Mitsubishi look like they’re driving a Hyundai Getz (not my words). The driving enthusiast will find much to like in this one, with everything presented in line with the vehicle’s sporty pretensions, as will those who like their porridge plain.

Meanwhile, the X-Trail offers very much the same path, presenting a cabin that looks plain bare upon first glance. The plastics are typically Nissan, serviceable but not the final word in premium. This plainness is offset by plenty of practical features – cubby holes and storage space are to be found galore, and items such as rear air-con vents, for example, add to the list. And that volume suggested from the outside is translated when you’re in the vehicle. It feels downright spacious, the X-Trail does.

A note too about its seat comfort, which is the softest in terms of comfort of all the five vehicles; it is a little bit too soft for my liking, especially over long distances, but many will no doubt value its plushness. The Peugeot’s front seat, however, is the standout for me.

The Peugeot’s cabin also features the best material and trim, clean and unfettered, but all hewn together in solid fashion and very elegant in its presentation. Cabin space, however, feels pinched, and if you have tall occupants in front, it’s bad news for those in the rear, where legroom is concerned.

And the 3008 still feels lacking in open and accessible storage space, as previously noted when I drove it during its original media test drive a good while back – attempts to house wallet, phone, keys and cigarettes without having to call in the large storage box were as challenging as before. I still think there’s a photon torpedo launcher housed underneath that huge-assed centre console tunnel, but the firing button is proving rather elusive to find.

So, of the lot, my pick is with the CR-V’s interior. It’s easy to forget how well Honda gets it right where it matters – aside from the excellent rear legroom, the cabin presentation has a premium feel to it, even if there’s not much bling and fanfare in terms of tech and features.

The plastics may be hard, but they don’t look cheap, and the centre console layout, along with the instrument cluster – especially lit up at night – is fetching. It’s not quite Pug territory, but it’s well ahead of the rest of the group. Storage in the CR-V’s front is more than adequate, though there are quirks elsewhere, like where the 12V socket is placed, which is set too low and difficult to access, especially in the dark.

Still, throw in items such as cruise control and auto climate control as well as the small, almost imperceptible tactile bits (the feel of the switchgear operation is a perfect example) and you can see exactly how the Honda scores where it counts.

PERFORMANCE

Danny says

Although it’s no sports car, the Peugeot is the sports car of the group. It’s the only Continental on call here, and preaches Europe’s downsizing philosophy – direct injection, smaller capacity, forced induction. The 156 hp it makes is no big deal in our 2.0L SUV party, but it’s the turbo engine’s 240 Nm from a mere 1,400 rpm that makes all the difference here.

This gives the 3008 useful punch away from standstill, and good flexibility. Although the pace is subdued a little from the 308 Turbo, which it shares its drivetrain with, possibly due to the extra weight, it should be more than enough go for those shopping in this segment. The official 0-100 km/h time is 9.5 seconds – it practice, the 3008 feels faster than that. As usual, it’s smooth revving and quite linear in delivery.

We must also mention the six-speed automatic gearbox, which is a quantum leap over the “Porsche Tiptronic” four-speeder of old. It’s still not the fastest or snappiest torque converter auto around, but it no longer has a mind of its own, and is competent enough to not annoy.

The “sports car of the group” rep isn’t just from the pace, though. The 3008 feels quite agile and pointy in the bends, and the way the car resists body roll is impressive. This flat stance encourages one to push harder, since there’s no clumsy weight transfer to put you off. No, it doesn’t claw into corners like a hot hatch, but one can at least make the most of what he has in the Peugeot with ease. Sacrifices? Ride comfort is not the best, others soak up bumps better.

If there’s an element from the other SUVs I would want in the Peugeot’s drive, it’s the ASX’s steering. Direct and blessed with good feel, the Mitsu’s helm is as “sporty” as the wheel itself looks. The ASX is also good to drive, but one downside is the lack of cruising refinement. There’s a good deal of road/tyre roar seeping into the cabin. I wonder if a tyre swap would help…

The ASX carries over the Lancer’s 4B11 engine and CVT gearbox. I’m not a fan of CVT, but the transmission works well, and there’s always the manual mode when the mood arises, although it still doesn’t feel 100% natural in those six virtual ratios.

For non-fans, the company in the best position to persuade is Nissan. Their Xtronic CVT works like a charm in the Sylphy and the X-Trail we have here. It’s the CVT, as advertised. Mostly smooth and cohesive like the best torque converter autos (except pedal to metal from rest, perhaps), I never once used the manual mode because I couldn’t have done it better. There’s real connection between the speedo and tacho needle, and the drivetrain feels almost resistance-free as you pull away.

Stats that read 139 PS and 198 Nm look below par on paper, but the X-Trail’s smooth flowing style meant that I didn’t crave for more go. The only time it felt lacking was when we were searching for top speed way above the speed limit – a lot of effort was needed to get past the 130-140 km/h zone.

That easygoing drivetrain is part of a similarly likeable package. The X-Trail’s ride comfort is best of the lot for me, soaking up bumps like they were never there and staying rock steady on the highway. We get our supply from Indonesia, so perhaps it’s the local tuning to suit the harsh roads there at work? Whatever it is, our roads aren’t great either, so it’s all good.

All these fit well with a tall ride height with cushy seats and good all round visibility, making the X-Trail a great urban machine and a soothing long distance one.

The Honda CR-V would have also been a good highway cruiser, if not for its hyper sensitive steering. It’s good for the most part, but I found myself feeding constant small inputs to keep it on course during highway drives. It’s not a major or safety issue, but it meant that I wasn’t fully relaxed, and my hands got tired after awhile.

Other than that, the popular segment leader is typically Honda. The engine revs happily with a familiar mechanical buzz, and is quite nice to work on, although more grunt would have been very welcome here. The five-speed auto is as precise and quick as ever. The CR-V’s well judged ride is firm, but never crashy or noisy.

Which leaves the Tucson. I truly admire Hyundai’s brave new direction with its latest products, which has dramatically increased desirabilty. Their cars are now technically on par with class leaders, if not better, and there are plenty of toys to maximise showroom appeal. For me though, the most effective weapon in their new arsenal is design, capturing the imagination of many who previously overlooked Korean wheels. Perfect cars then?

Not yet. Technically, all’s good, but the Tucson (and Sonata) aren’t class leaders in subjective matters. For instance, while the 2.0 Theta II engine’s 166 PS and 197 Nm sound impressive and provide decent go, the engine isn’t the smoothest revving four-pot around, and is quite resonant in the third half of the rev range. The six-speed gearbox, while competent, isn’t as intuitive as the Honda’s, for instance.

There’s not a lot of mechanical grip either – I’ve seen the ESP light come on in corners where I didn’t expect any help. And steering, a very subjective thing, is something that Hyundai-Kia has yet to master.

But these finer points are invisible to the majority of buyers, so we don’t blame Hyundai for not putting “driving pleasure” and “finesse” as top priority. If I were them, my resources would have went into the exact same areas: on paper spec, equipment to wow and bold design.

Strangely, I ended up preferring the X-Trail in this segment, although the Peugeot’s pace and Mitsu’s steering are on the wish list. For me, SUVs are family cars, and the Nissan’s ride comfort, ease of use and silky drivetrain is the best combo here. Looking in the rear view mirror, my family agrees too!

Harvinder says

Now to the part I love the most. Let us start off with the CR-V. It comes with a 2.0 litre i-VTEC that makes 148 hp and 190 Nm of torque from 4,200 rpm. The numbers are anything but impressive, and unfortunately with 1,540 kg to haul it feels as if the CR-V can do with a more powerful engine.

Acceleration does feel heavy but once you’ve reached a set cruising speed, the power issues fades away, until you slam the accelerator to overtake the car in front of you, that is. The shifting of its five-speed automatic is decent enough and the electric power steering feels a little heavy at times, but it’s not really an issue to me.

Its ride comfort is good, with no irritating bumpiness whatsoever. In terms of handling, I find the CR-V performance at an average level. The X-Trail’s MR20DE twin-cam engine has less power than the CR-V, at 137 hp, though torque is slightly higher, 198 Nm to be exact, from 4,400 rpm. It does pull away slightly better than the CR-V, and it uses Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission, with a six-speed manual mode.

To be honest. I am not a fan of the CVTs – I find the sound that the engine makes because of it being rather irritating. However, the Xtronic isn’t that bad and it works smoothly, or fluidly, to use another term. Acceleration is effortless; however, it does take a while for it to achieve higher speed. In terms of ride comfort, the X-Trail does well in absorbing bumps and irregularities. At the same time it is also firm enough for high speed travel. The Nissan boys have got it right with this one.

The Hyundai Tucson’s Theta II 2.0 litre engine is quite powerful on paper, with 164 hp and 197 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm, and carries over the power into actual driving. It does however tend to sound a little rough when you rev it hard. The power unit is paired with a six-speed slush box, which does its job well enough, although it could use a little more refinement.

This applies to the drivability of the Tucson as well. It handles good enough for normal day-to-day driving and its un-refinement is easily hidden if you don’t push the car hard. Even so, you can actually toss the Tucson around corners, though it would definitely benefit from a more refined handling and a steering with a better feel. In terms of ride quality, this Korean seems to be a bit stiff, a little bumpier on the rough roads.

The Mitsubishi ASX is one car that seems to excel in the handling department. This is one SUV or crossover or what ever you fancy that handles like a car. Agile and nimble would be the right word to describe the ASX. It is no Megane RS, but among its rivals in this shootout, it is right at the top.

You can practically chuck it around bends and it won’t bite back, as long as you don’t go overboard. The chassis seems to communicate with you well through the steering wheel, which also offers a good feel. In terms of power, it is decent with its 2.0 litre DOHC MIVEC putting out 148 hp , identical to the CR-V, and 197 Nm of torque at 2,400 rpm.

Although quite similar in terms of power figures, you do feel more punch in the ASX. This also joins the X- Trail in offering a CVT unit with six-speed manual mode.

Finally we have the Peugeot 3008, which doesn’t really give us an apple to apple comparison in terms of engine type when put against the other four SUVs we have here. There are two major differences. First up is the fact that the engine is a 1.6 litre, instead of a 2.0 litre with the rest. Secondly, it is force-inducted. It is basically the same engine as the MINI, the rather famous 1.6 litre Prince unit.

It makes 156 hp and most importantly, 240 Nm of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. The higher torque at lower revs proves to be very instrumental in zipping around traffic. Overall, you can safely say that 3008 is the most powerful of the lot, all thanks to the turbo, so no issues at all with acceleration and getting fast quickly. The Pug uses a good old six-speed transmission, which works without a fuss.

The ride comfort is pretty good, with high levels of comfort too. In terms of handling, you can take some pretty serious corners with it, but I still prefer the ASX. Something about the latter’s character makes the whole driving experience sportier. Overall, my pick would be the ASX in regards to overall performance from the SUVs we have here.

Anthony says

Ambling along the highway isn’t how one should define which of the lot to be the best, but the time spent plying the route did reveal a fair bit about each vehicle’s character; there was some hard driving done briefly on each later, which revealed yet more, but given that 99% of these SUVs owners aren’t likely to subject their rides to such, most of the basis – for me at least – was from that gleaned waltzing along.

The Tucson was my first ride out, and as before, when I drove it at point of launch, the 2.0 litre Theta II mill proved willing to get things moving. It feels perky from the get-go, buoyant in its character; conversely, it feels that bit less refined when pushed, and can be a bit zingy at the top end. As a cruiser the Tucson does well enough, though there is a fair amount of road noise, and the steering needs a bit of corrective input in terms of straight-line retention, but the light, easy feel of the rack makes it simple on the shoulders.

The plastics notwithstanding, the itemisation of the layout and switchgear operation in the Hyundai is pretty much fuss-free. One minus is the lack of reach adjustment for the steering, something that is also an oversight on the X-Trail and ASX. Seat comfort is decent, though not group-leading.

As a driver’s car, or crossover, if you prefer, the ASX is by far the leader of the assembled five-pack. The level of steering feel and communication is by far the highest of the lot, as is the vehicle’s response to dramatic changing load/direction. Agile, in a flamboyant manner, the main reason why you’d want one is because you love to drive, with everything else secondary.

Meanwhile, the 3008 drove well, and the turbocharged Prince 1.6 mill chugged along with the least amount of strain of all the engines throughout the drive. It felt like it was consuming the most fuel, based on the onboard readout, but this proved to be deceptive (see fuel consumption section below). In-cabin comfort is high, and the plushness of the interior, despite that pinched feeling, makes doing the miles all that bit easier.

Still, its size means that it is at a slight disadvantage compared to the rest of the crowd here, the ASX notwithstanding. I still don’t think it’s a SUV, which it was tagged when it was launched. A good compact-ish crossover for the young urban family, yes. Super utility people mover, er, no. Drives well though, so it gets brownie points here.

From an interior perspective, the Nissan simply overwhelms the rest. The rather-too-soft driver seat aside, everything about the X-Trail screams functionality. It isn’t the fastest, nor the most agile, nor does it have the sense of presence or grandeur. But there’s acres of space in that cavernous cabin, and something about it works, at least to me – I found myself liking it more with every passing mile.

Easy to drive, there’s nothing imposing in its character; it’s vanilla, really – you get in, turn the key and get to your intended destination without fuss, fanfare or any sort of emotion, for that matter. All that functionality, dished out in a completely neutral manner. It isn’t as bad as it sounds, actually.

Finally, we come to the CR-V. I spent the least amount of time in it during the test session, but driving it regularly keeps reminding me why so many view it as the de facto choice in this market when it comes to putting their money on the table for a mid-price, mid-size SUV.

Yes, the 2.0 litre block can feel slightly underpowered at the lower end pushing that mass (it felt the laziest of the lot in start-offs). The steering is also on the heavier side of things, and needs quite a bit of corrective input during highway driving.

But in every other sense, the Honda gets it right. From the tactility of the switchgear operation (which makes all the others, save the 3008, feel cheap) to the interior presentation levels, the CR-V feels good to the touch and sight. It is agile enough when asked, and balanced would best describe its overall level of driving engagement. In all, it feels well thought out, the type of product that you know a copious amount of time has been spent refining all the key points. In this regard, it’s an absolute toss-up between the neutral functionality of the X-Trail and the refined, cultured presentation of the CR-V.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

During the group test drive, we travelled 412 km from the Klang Valley to Ipoh, and back. It included stop and go traffic, town driving and, of course, highway cruising along the PLUS Expressway.

The route we selected allowed us to test the cars in various road conditions where we spent quite a bit of our time on the highway. During the test drive we also carried out a fuel test for all the SUVs involved, with measures employed to ensure accuracy such as adhering to the 110 km/h national speed limit, keeping a safe distance between the cars, ensuring that all cars are driven by all test drivers (to make sure all SUVs get a consistent driving pattern overall) and so on.

Here are the final results:

Peugeot 3008 (1.6 litre Turbo) – 7.37 litres / 100 km
Mitsubishi ASX (2.0 litre NA) – 7.5 litres / 100 km
Honda CR-V (2.0 litre NA) – 8.3 litres / 100 km
Nissan X-Trail (2.0 litre NA) – 8.6 litres / 100 km
Hyundai Tucson (2.0 litre NA) – 8.7 litres / 100 km

The 3008 took the top honours, with the ASX following closely behind. These were the only two which breached the 8.0 litre per 100 km mark following the test, and the 3008’s lower displacement (and turbocharger) 1.6 liter engine likely has contributed to its number one spot here.

It’s also interesting to note that the ASX, which uses a normally-aspirated 2.0 litre engine, achieved 7.5 litres per 100 km, just 0.13 litres behind the 3008, which makes it the most fuel efficient vehicle among its 2.0 litre competitors and it is also very comparable to the Pug.

We reckon that the ASX achieved almost similar numbers due to its engine tune, its MIVEC (or Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) calibration and of course its transmission tune. The engine also utilises a lightweight aluminium block which helps the ASX achieve positive such results. We must also take the vehicle kerb weight into account. It appears that the ASX is lighter than the 3008, with a kerb weight of 1,375 kg. Its French rival is 1,450 kg in comparison.

CONCLUSION

Danny says

Big or small, boxy or curvy, there’s an SUV for every one. No lemons here, just entries that excel in various areas. At the end of the day, it depends on what you want out of an SUV, whether as a great family wagon (Nissan fits the bill, Peugeot is out), a personal urban mobile (Peugeot and Mitsu are compact enough and drive well) or great value and bold design (Hyundai).

I love to drive, but I also view the SUV as a family car, which means that practicality and comfort are high in the list. The Honda CR-V is a good all-rounder, but I like the honest, self-confident X-Trail. The Nissan is comfortable in its own skin, and will make you feel as comfortable, too. As for those itchy moments, I’ll buy a cheap fun car.

Harvinder says

Overall, there’s no obvious winner here – all the SUVs here definitely pass the minimum requirement, so it’s a matter of personal choice. You should also look at other factors such as safety features and pricing. The 3008 comes with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating which is made up by 6-airbags, ESP and ISOFIX points, among others. It retails for RM146,888 (all prices here are OTR including insurance).

The Tucson on the other hand has two airbags and ESP and it retails at RM139,888 for the 2.0 litre High Spec. The ASX is also fitted with dual airbags and ESP (or ASC, as Mitsubishi calls it). Also in the list is Hill Start Assist. The ASX goes for RM139,980, which is similar to the Tucson. The CR-V comes with four airbags and ESP (or VSA) and it goes for RM149,980.

Finally, the X-Trail, which goes for RM149,500; it comes with, yes, you guessed it right, dual airbags but without ESP, which is interesting to note. It only has ABS with EBD and BA. That’s a bit of a downside, given a price tag that’s a shade off being the most expensive of the lot. To me, the fight would go down between the Mitsubishi ASX and the Peugeot 3008, if I were shopping for an SUV.

Anthony says

There wasn’t a runaway pick of the heap, not where I’m concerned; it’s nice to see how close things have gotten in the segment that there wasn’t one dominant player. The ASX is my weapon of choice from a driving perspective – the CVT aside, it is engaging, to say the least. But that’s never the only reason why one buys a vehicle in this segment. and its size means that those shopping for a full-fledged SUV may find this crossover too small for their needs.

The same goes for the 3008. Pluses are a highly refined interior and tractable, crowd-pleasing mill, but its lack of heft may preclude it as a straight choice to most. Its appeal lies with those who find the allure of a Continental offering winsome, and provides those seeking an alternative to the predominantly Japanese/Korean crowd a perfect option. A small family (quite literally, for rear occupants!) is also a prerequisite.

The Tucson shows how much the Koreans have closed the gap, but still, haven’t quite gotten the cigar – there are key areas in which its lack of absolute refinement shows it up (it’d have been very interesting pitting the plusher Sportage cousin into the mix against the Japanese competition). Still, the external shape is light years ahead of the previous one, and its main point is that it now offers a serious contender as an alternative if you don’t want to go with a Jap offering, and think a Pug is too much work.

In the end, from the assembled crew, I’d take my pick from the X-Trail and CR-V. I didn’t expect the X-Trail to figure as highly as it did – looks truly can be deceiving. I liked its honesty; it doesn’t paint anything more into the picture than it should, and it goes about everything in such clean, unfettered fashion there is much to like about it and its character.

As for the CR-V, well, its strength is in its overall presentation and coherency – here, it never led in any particular aspect, but scored high and kept pace with its overall level of refinement and, most importantly, its consistency in delivery across the board. A large number of buyers have likely found that very essence – and composition – appealing, given the numbers shifted through the years. With this household being one of these, I’m not inclined to disagree with the collective, that plying the safe, consistent route is not such a bad thing. The tick goes in this box for me then in this particular five-way.

Look after the jump for mega photo galleries of all 5 contenders.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi ASX

GALLERY: Honda CR-V

GALLERY: Nissan X-Trail

GALLERY: Peugeot 3008

GALLERY: Hyundai Tucson

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Refreshened Mitsubishi Pajero introduced in Malaysia

Anthony Lim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:08:29 +0000

The fourth-generation Pampas cat, replete with minor nip and tuck job, has made its way here – Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has introduced the upgraded Pajero. The biggie now comes with a redesigned front grille and bumper, new skid plate, a restyled roof rail and a new 18-inch alloy wheel design for revised external cues.

Inside, the dashboard now features red illumination to sport things up a bit, and to make it easier to park and reverse the beast into place, there’s a rear view camera system – which has a monitor incorporated into the auto dimming mirror – to help things along. Also introduced on the 250 PS 3.8 litre V6-shod vehicle is the Brake Overide System, which cuts engine power in case of simultaneous application of both accelerator and brake pedal.

All other creature comforts and mod cons remain, including leather seats, powered front seats, automatic climate control, rear air-conditioning with independent control, auto levelling HID headlamps, and a 12-speaker, 860 watt Rockford Acoustic surround system.

The Pajero, which is available in four colours – Warm White Mica, Black Mica, Cool Silver Metallic and Quartz Brown Metallic – goes for RM298,980 on-the-road, inclusive of insurance.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Proton-Mitsubishi strategic collaboration – Proton expects to ink deal by year-end to build Mitsubishi sedan models

Anthony Lim — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:35:14 +0000

Following the news in September about Proton and Mitsubishi discussing a broad ranging collaboration, Bernama reports that Proton expects to seal a JV agreement with Mitsubishi Motors by year-end to build Mitsubishi sedan models at its Tanjung Malim plant.

The agreement will see the manufacture of 60,000 Mitsubishi units annually, which is about 90% of the plant’s production capacity, Proton MD Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin said, adding that the plant is currently operating at between 56% and 58% capacity.

Syed Zainal was briefing reporters after the announcement of the company’s Q2 2011/2012 financial year results yesterday, which saw the Group recording a lower pre-tax profit of RM47.524 million for the six months ended September 30, 2011, compared to RM185.914 million made in the corresponding period last year.

The lower profit was largely attributed to higher spending by Lotus Group International Limited, mainly on capability enhancement, infrastructure development and marketing costs, in line with its five-year business transformation plan.

Meanwhile, despite a second-half downtrend forecast by the Malaysian Automotive Association, Syed Zainal said that Proton would overcome it with the introduction of its Saga FLX Special Edition in December, the report added.

He said that 2012 was set to be an exciting year for the company, with the introduction of four models, the Exora Bold and Exora Prime, Inspira R3 and the P3-21A sedan.

Syed Zainal also said that Proton is set to expand its presence in the Chinese market – under a memorandum of understanding it has signed with Hawtai Motor Group, it is slated to sell four Proton models under the Hawtai badge.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi ASX Black special edition launched in the UK

Anthony Lim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:42:44 +0000

Click to enlarge.

Over in the UK, Mitsubishi has introduced a new special edition model of the ASX, called the ASX Black. It’s based on the ASX4 version of the vehicle, but features enhanced exterior styling and a bespoke interior.

The vehicle gets a satin black styling kit which includes 17-inch alloys, roof, spoiler, mirrors, grille and fog lamp bezels in that shade, while the interior features a special edition black leather kit, replete with carbon fibre inserts.

The ASX Black is available in six external colours and in three variant forms – a 115 hp 1.6 litre five-speed manual and 1.8 DI-D turbodiesel six-speed manual, in both 2WD and 4WD guise.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV – the PHEV goes mid-size

Anthony Lim — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:29:05 +0000

Aside from the Mirage compact, Mitsubishi will be premiering the Concept PX-MiEV in Tokyo. It’s the company’s take on a mid-size plug-in hybrid PHEV model offering a long cruising range, as demanded by such mid-sized vehicles.

The 4.66 metre long concept – which rides on 18-inch wheels and 235/55 rubbers – features a plug-in hybrid system that fuses EV technology derived from the i-MiEV with a 2.0 litre MIVEC engine, and the drivetrain is a newly-developed twin-motor four-wheel-drive system mated to Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) traction control system.

The front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors on the PX-MiEV offer 60 KW output each, and the petrol mill is good for 94 hp (70 kW). Mitsubishi says that as far as performance goes, it’s all good enough to offer acceleration comparable to that of a 3.0 litre V6 engine.

The plug-in hybrid system uses high-capacity batteries that allow the vehicle to cover over 50 km in all-electric mode alone, allowing it to be driven solely as an EV for most daily use situations. Elsewhere, the combined cruising range for the vehicle is 800 km, and a 60 km per litre fuel efficiency is quoted for the SUV.

A socket fitted to the vehicle allows the electricity stored in the drive batteries to be used to power electric appliances when camping or in other outdoor pursuits, or to provide an emergency power source. In addition, the quick-charge port is vehicle-to-home (V2H) compatible.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Thai flood: Toyota, Mazda, MMC production restarting soon

Danny Tan — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:11:35 +0000

Auto production that was crippled by massive flooding in Thailand is beginning to get back on its feet. Some companies whose factories were spared by the water rush, but whose suppliers were affected, are restarting production soon, the Bangkok Post reports. They include Japanese giant Toyota, Mazda and Mitsubishi.

“We will try to start production as soon as possible, possibly on the 21st of this month, and then slowly increase our production capacity,” said Toyota president Akio Toyoda, who also plans to increase investment in the Land of Smiles. “Toyota expects to increase our investment here over time to develop the automotive industry,” he added.

Like General Motors’ Rayong plant, Toyota’s three Thai plants in Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao weren’t under water, but many suppliers and vendors were affected. Toyota, the biggest carmaker in Thailand, has delayed restarting operations three times already, but green light from suppliers this time around make Toyoda’s target date more achievable.

Over at Mitsubishi, they will restart production of Tritons and Pajero Sport SUVs on Monday at two factories that have full capacity of 1,000 units per day. MMC plans to recover production of 23,000 units lost from the combined impact of both the Japanese tsunami and Thai flood. Work was suspended at MMC’s two plants in Chon Buri on October 13.

Meanwhile, Mazda is ready to resume passenger car production with immediate delivery of Mazda2 and Mazda3 models. Both models are built at the AutoAlliance Thailand plant, a joint venture with Ford located in Rayong. The AAT facility wasn’t directly affected by the flood, allowing Mazda to source parts from China and Japan for the 2 and 3. However, production of the BT-50 pick-up truck will remain suspended since most parts are localised and Thailand is the main production hub for trucks.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Mirage to make its debut in Tokyo

Anthony Lim — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:12:48 +0000

It’s the return of the Mirage name to the fold – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is set to debut its new Mirage at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. The name was of course first used for the Mirage series developed for resource/energy/space-saving and high-performance in a compact package, which made its debut in Japan in March 1978.

The new Mirage, the company says, inherits the essence of that first series – cleverly getting the most performance and function out of a limited space. The five-door compact hatch measures in at 3.7 metres long, 1.66 metres wide and 1.49 metres tall, and will be powered by a 1.0 litre three-cylinder MIVEC block, with Auto Stop & Go.

The design focuses on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency, and Mitsu is looking at the global model to fit the needs of emerging markets as an affordable entry-level model as well as needs of advanced markets for fuel efficiency and low-CO2 emission.

The five-seater will come equipped with a CVT gearbox, wear 14-inch wheels and 165/65 series rubbers, and has a targeted top-of-class fuel efficiency (at least for the Japan domestic version) of 30 km per litre. The new Mirage will make its market debut in Thailand in March 2012 before entering other global markets.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia: delivery of Triton and Pajero Sport affected by Thai flood situation

Paul Tan — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:15:42 +0000

Another Japanese car company affected by the floods in Thailand – this time it’s Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, who have just announced that it will be temporarily halting the delivery of the Pajero Sport and Triton due to a disruption in parts supply to Mitsubishi’s Thai plant.

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s plant in the Laem Chabang Industrial Estates has suspended production of the Pajero Sport and the Triton due to difficulties in procuring the required parts for production.

Customers who have made bookings for the Pajero Sport and Triton may anticipate delays in the delivery of their vehicles, but MMM says selected Triton variants have adequate existing stock to fulfill market demand. Japanese CBU units such as the ASX, Lancer GT, Lancer Sportback, Grandis and Pajero are not affected.

“We apologise for the delay on vehicle deliveries, especially the Triton and Pajero Sport. Our commitment to our customers remains our top priority and we are monitoring closely on the situation in Thailand,” said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia CEO Tetsuya Oda. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has also taken the decision to donate RM20 for every car registered from November 2011 to December 2011 to help those who have suffered as a result of the flood situation and to contribute to the rebuilding of affected areas.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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2012 Mitsubishi Pajero minor facelift in Japan/Europe

Paul Tan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:30:49 +0000

Mitsubishi has given the Pajero a small facelift for the Japanese and European markets, so this updated version should be introduced in our market soon enough. The updates are not very major – just a little nip and tuck here and there, such as the slightly resculpted front bumper and the small revision to the front grille. The Pajero goes for about RM290k in Malaysia and comes with a 250 PS 3.8 litre V6 mated to a five-speed auto, in its Exceed equipment level trim.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT Test Drive Report from Sabah

Danny Tan — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:38:03 +0000

We’ve wanted it since Thailand had it earlier this year, and Mitsubishi’s Variable Geometric Turbo (VGT) engine is now here, packaged within the Pajero Sport SUV body. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) launched the new variant last month.

With the addition of VGT, the 2.5-litre DI-D commonrail diesel unit puts out 178 PS and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 3,500 rpm. It’s quite a substantial increase from the non-VGT engine’s 136 PS and 314 Nm. Better still, the benefits stretch at both ends – the Pajero Sport VGT is claimed by MMM to be 12% more fuel effiicient that before.

We recently got to drive the Pajero Sport VGT on the beautiful mountain roads of Sabah. Read the full report after the jump.

As a recap, the Pajero Sport was launched here in mid 2009. The seven-seater SUV is based on Mitsubishi’s stylish Triton pick-up truck, but is also more than just a Triton with a canopy. Features that set it apart include plusher materials, Tiptronic manual shift, third row seats and rear coil spring suspension in place of the Triton’s leaf springs.

Currently, MMM sells 2WD and 4WD versions of the Pajero Sport, and the VGT, available only in 4WD automatic form, is an addition to the range. All are imported CBU from Thailand.

Visually, there isn’t much to differentiate the VGT from its less powerful siblings, only a locally fitted VGT badge on the tailgate and a “Hi Power” emblem on the sides. All else is familiar. Inside, the VGT is quite well equipped. The centrepiece is an aftermarket 2-DIN Kenwood ICE system. This full colour touch screen head unit incorporates a reverse camera and Garmin GPS guidance.

Other useful features are cruise control (buttons on the steering’s right spoke), leather upholstery, auto climate control plus rear AND front parking sensors (upgraded from two to four eyes at each end). A new addition here is Mitsubishi’s magnesium shift paddles, as fitted to the Lancer and ASX.

The long and conspicuous paddles control a new gearbox – a five-speed INVECS-II automatic transmission, one ratio more than the non-VGT Pajero Sport. So it’s a new engine, new gearbox and more features in the cabin for the extra RM5,000 over the GS 4WD. The Pajero Sport VGT is priced at RM167,375.80, slightly less than the Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Premium, which MMM considers a rival.

The Pajero Sport has always been a decent SUV to drive, taking into account its truck underpinnings. Not much of a surprise really, since Mitsubishi’s entrants into the C-segment sedan and SUV markets are on the better side of the driving scale. The Triton, which contributes its platform to the Pajero Sport, is also the pick-up truck that those coming from cars will be most comfortable with.

The Pajero Sport rides well, and I reckon that this comfort is one of its main strengths. Besides ironing out bad roads and soaking bigger bumps well, the big SUV is also firm and steady past the highway limit. And the rear end doesn’t hop around independently, thanks to the coil springs that replace the Triton’s leafs. By the way, the front seat design is new, and it’s more supportive than before, too.

The Pajero Sport is not the sharpest tool in the bends, for obvious reasons, but it hangs on pretty decently if you ignore the body roll and weight transfer, and push on. Two-time Dakar champion Hiroshi Masuoka was brought into Borneo to show us how it’s done. In a parking lot with cones, the champ threw the Pajero Sport’s considerable 2 plus tonnes into crazy lean angles, even lifting some tyres in the process.

As usual for Masuoka san (yours truly is lucky to have rode with him on several occasions now) he was twirling the wheel nonchalantly, smiling and talking in the process. Like a well oiled driving machine, the man was consistent round after round from start to end.

We did not go to such extremes on the road, but it’s good to have the knowledge that this isn’t an easy car to topple despite protests from your passengers.

Nothing has changed in that respect, which leads us to the powertrain. It’s been very long since I drove the Pajero Sport, and without a back to back refresher, it’s hard to tell the difference, although I’m sure an extra 42 PS and 36 Nm will feel different. In isolation, it’s a strong diesel engine in the truck mould, which means it roars and one shouldn’t expect BMW 20d refinement or response.

Engine response isn’t the most immediate, which may give the (wrong) impression of a big lazy beast, but speed rises faster that you’d think – just observe the speedo. Also, the VGT engine’s turbo whistle is quite apparent, if that tickles your fancy. Wind down the windows to appreciate.

We drove a long scenic route from Kota Kinabalu city (they have great beef noodles!) to Mesilau up in the mountains, and I found myself using the shift paddles a lot, definitely a useful addition and more convenient than the shift lever, which has Tiptronic on the far side of the driver. Those long sickles are standard Mitsubishi issue, the best of its kind, in my opinion.

Our route included an off road stretch that the Pajero Sport dismissed with ease. While the stretch was mild for off road standards, I still wouldn’t have attempted it in a crossover SUV. Here, one has good ground clearance, approach/departure angles and a robust frame, plus MMC’s Super Select 4WD system with four modes – 2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT is a good SUV in the traditional sense. Rugged underpinnings that can truly go off road, but with good comfort, space and amenities for those who use it solely as an urban machine. Although it might look unflattering next to the Hyundai Santa Fe for some, the Mitsu is a different sort of animal really, one with its own set of strengths.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV becomes first EV to be registered in the country – vehicle to be used to promote EV awareness

Anthony Lim — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:43:39 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia recently registered the first fully electric car in the country; the unit, an i-MiEV, will be used in a suite of activities to promote public awareness on EVs. The car’s public debut was at a special showcase at One Utama that took place on October 19–23, where visitors to the event had an opportunity to ride in the i-MiEV.

“Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is pleased to be the first to bring in a mass-produced full-electric car to Malaysia to promote the awareness of zero-emission electric vehicles among the Malaysian public,” said MMM CEO Tetsuya Oda.

“Malaysians will get to know more about the innovative technology behind the i-MiEV, and experience for themselves the benefits of an electric vehicle, as test drives will be available for the first i-MiEV in Malaysia,” he added.

The i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is powered solely by electricity, and can be recharged from a regular home socket. The four-seater, which has 49 kW and 180 Nm for output figures, has a top speed of 130 km/h and an operating range of up to 160 kilometres, after an eight-hour charge at 230 volts. Wonder how they calculated the road tax on this one though.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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Mitsubishi debuts new 4J10 MIVEC engine in ASX, Lancer

Danny Tan — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:40:51 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced a new engine. The ’4J10′ is a lightweight and compact 1.8-litre petrol engine incorporating a new version of the company’s MIVEC variable valve timing system and the latest version of Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) tech.

The new 4J10 engine/AS&G combination will power the Japan-market RVR (ASX to us), Galant Fortis sedan (Lancer) and Galant Fortis Sportback (Lancer Sportback). MMC says that with the 4J10, the three models show 12% improved fuel efficiency in the Japanese 10-15 mode.

MMC says that the new MIVEC system together with improved combustion stability and reduction in piston friction provide better economy without any loss in engine performance over the existing 4B10 MIVEC engine. Used in overseas Lancers and the Proton Inspira 1.8, the 4B10 is a 1.8-litre, inline-4, 16-valve engine. It has DOHC instead of the new engine’s SOHC. Compared to the 4B10, the new 4J10 has just 1kW and 5 Nm less, so it’s a good trade for the 12% better economy.

MMC first applied MIVEC in 1992, and there have been two types so far – in one, the system switches between different valve lifts and valve opening durations according to engine speed, while in the other (as in the 4B10) the system varies the valve opening timing on a continuous basis.

The new MIVEC system in the 4J10 can do what the previous two systems could do “but at the same time, all the time”. This is thanks to a single mechanism that mechanically couples intake valve lift, opening duration and timing, allowing all three parameters to be varied simultaneously and continuously. The result is ideal valve operation control and the reduction of pumping losses.

AS&G is nothing new for MMC – it’s already being used in manual cars for Europe – but this latest version has been tailored for cars running continuously variable transmissions (CVT). The addition of a new control unit means that the new AS&G is integrally controlled along with the engine, CVT, Active Stability Control (ASC) and climate control.

Other changes include the use of a more durable 12V battery and a DC/DC converter. These are to prevent breaks in audio sound and to prevent the sat nav from rebooting when the engine restarts.

These developments are part of the Mitsubishi Motors Environment Initiative Program 2015, which targets 25% reduction in on-road CO2 emission of new vehicles compared to the 2005 global weighted average.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:56:11 +0000.

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