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New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport based on Triton platform

July 17, 2008 at 5:41 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Mitsubishi Motors will be unveiling the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (Montero Sports in South America, Nativa in Latin America and Challenger in Australia) at the 2008 Moscow Auto Salon 2008. This is not a replacement for the 4th generation Pajero introduced end-2006, but a separate model designed for certain markets such as Russia, the ASEAN area and the regions with alternate names mentioned above.

You may notice a huge similiarity with the Mitsubishi Triton at the front. This is because this new Pajero Sport is pretty much construction the same way the Toyota Fortuner is derived from the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Everest is derived from the Ford Ranger. It sits on the same ladder frame truck chassis (as opposed to the Pajero’s monocoque) and can be configured with either 2 row (5 seater) or 3 row (7 seater) configurations.

Engine options include a 2.5 litre turbodiesel, a 3.2 litre turbodiesel or a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD system.

Look after the jump for a rear view photo.
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Mitsubishi Racing Lancer MRX09 for Dakar 2009

July 16, 2008 at 6:20 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mitsubishi, Motorsports

Mitsubishi Racing Lancer
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Mitsubishi has unveiled its 2009 Dakar rally competitor, the Mitsubishi Racing Lancer MRX09. MRX stands for Mitsubishi Rally Cross Country, and the 09 denotes the 2009 competition year. The Racing Lancer is what appears to be a 3-door version of the Lancer sportsback with raised suspension, offroad bits… are we looking at a CrossLancer here?

Well, not exactly. It uses some styling from the Lancer Sportsback but it is actually built on a tubular steel frame designed with advanced CAE analysis to optimize layout and dimensions of the tubing. The Lancer sportsback skin is made from carbon fiber. The Racing Lancer is 4,475mm long, 1,990mm wide and has a 2,900mm wheelbase.

Mitsubishi Motors says the Racing Lancer is a natural evolution for the Lancer and wants it to take over the competition baton from the Pajero and Pajero Evolution. Under the Racing Lancer’s hood is a 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel engine that the company is currently testing during Dakar 2008 and Fia Cross-Country Rally World Cup 2008 qualifying rounds. It produces over 260hp and more than 650Nm of torque, and is mated to a Ricardo 5-speed sequential manual. Power is driven to all four wheels of the 1,900kg race car via a permanent 4WD system with an LSD.

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Mitsubishi Galant Fortis Ralliart in Japan

July 13, 2008 at 7:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Galant Fortis Ralliart

Those who pay attention to the automotive industry should know that the new Mitsubishi Lancer has grown so much in size that it is known as the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis in Japan, save for the Evolution version which is still called the Lancer Evolution X.

I was wondering if the warm Ralliart version will be called a Lancer or Galant Fortis, but now we know the answer as Mitsubishi Motors Japan has just announced the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis Ralliart. Read more about the Evo’s younger, less powerful but more affordable sibling after the jump.
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-360

July 4, 2008 at 2:18 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mitsubishi

Lancer Evolution X

The baseline Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is sold in the UK, but no Evo offering there is complete without the FQ models. FQ apparently stands for something slightly rude but quite effective as a representation of what Mitsubishi UK has done to the baseline Evo X.

First up you have the Lancer Evolution X FQ-300, which is the baseline standard model in the UK and has its 4B11T producing 291 horses. It goes from 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. Next up is the Lancer Evolution FQ-330, which is modified by HKS and brings power levels up to 325 horsepower.

This is achieved via an ECU remap and a revised intake and intercooler to take care of the induction needs, providing a 10% boost in power over the base FQ-300. This shaves 0.3 seconds off the acceleration time, bringing it down to 4.4 seconds.

The top of the range is the Lancer Evolution FQ-360, which produces 356 horsepower. This one takes abit of extra work. The FQ-330′s intake mods are there, but the extra horsepower topped up over the FQ-330′s 325hp is achieved in a manner you wouldn’t normally expect. I’m sure you think they increased the boost or uprated the turbo, but in reality they actually reduced the boost from 11.8 psi to 10.3 psi.

The extra power is achieved via fiddling with the air-fuel mixture to make it leaner. The result is a power boost without much lag as even with the increase in power, peak torque of 492Nm is hit at 3,500rpm. 0 to 100km/h takes 4.1 seconds.

Only the FQ-300 is available with the Twin Clutch SST, while the FQ-330 and FQ-360 is only available with a 5-speed manual, presumably because the Twin Clutch SST box has not been tested enough with the higher torque levels of the FQ-330 and FQ-360.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Guiness World Record

June 27, 2008 at 9:04 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Gathering
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UK-based Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution owner’s club the Mitsubishi Lancer Register will be attempting to create a new Guiness World Record for the largest parade of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions. The event will take place tomorrow at the Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire, England with a Guinness World Record adjudicator in attendance

The current confirmed registry of Evos that will attend currently stands at over 300 units, but more are welcome. If you have an Evo in the UK and wish to take part, email Darin at darin (at) lancerregister.com or call +44 (0) 845 12 526237 and ask for Darin or Mechell.

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PSA and Mitsubishi to work together on electric cars

June 17, 2008 at 8:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Citroën, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mitsubishi, Peugeot

Mitsubishi i MiEV

We may see Peugeot and Citroen badge engineered versions of the Mitsubishi i MiEV in the European market, much like PSA Peugeot Citroen’s deal with Mitsubishi with the Outlander, resulting in the C-Crosser and the 4007.

PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors have started a joint study that will last several months to examine the scope a potential cooperation to produce small electric-powered vehicles designed for city and urban use.

The study will also involve the feasibility of shared production sites for components for electric vehicles. This announcement comes just after the beginning of the construction of a new jointly owned factory in Russia.

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New Triton 3.2 and Triton Lite available in Malaysia

June 16, 2008 at 11:18 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Triton 3.2
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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has officially made available two additional variants of the Triton pick-up truck at its showrooms – the Mitsubishi Triton 3.2 4X4 Automatic and the Mitsubishi Triton Lite 2.5 4X2 Manual.

This increases the Triton line-up to 4 different variants now, adding to the current offering of the 2.5 4×4 Automatic and the 2.5 4X4 Manual.

You can spot the Triton 3.2 from the 2.5 litre versions by its different front bumper which has a little bumper protector, a chromed grille, and the different wheel design. Under the hood is the 4M41 3.2 litre inline-4 turbodiesel engine producing 160 PS at 3,500rpm and 343Nm of torque at 2,000rpm.

It would be interesting to note that this is still not the most powerful version of Mitsubishi’s turbodiesel engine – there is another 3.2 litre with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger but it is only available in the Pajero. The Triton 3.2 goes for RM97,041.50 in Peninsular Malaysia OTR without insurance. Sabah and Sarawak prices are RM97,280.40 and RM97.509.00 respectively.

RELATED: Mitsubishi Triton 3.2 Test Drive Report

Triton Lite
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The Triton Lite is much like what most of you expected – a 4X2 version of the Triton with smaller tyres. It rides on 15 inch wheels for one. The front bumper and grille is also rather basic and unpainted, with no foglamps.

The much lower price of RM58,129.80 (RM59,685.20 in Sabah and RM59,618.30 in Sarawak) is due to the 2.5 litre engine being a more basic 8 valve SOHC version with no turbocharger. It puts out 75 PS at 4,200rpm and 149Nm of torque at 2,500rpm which is pretty much equivalent to a 1.6 litre gasoline engine’s torque. It is only available with a 5-speed manual.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback due at Paris 2008

June 12, 2008 at 10:35 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
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Mitsubishi will be unveiling the 5-door hatchback version of the Mitsubishi Lancer at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October this year.

The baseline version of the hatch will be powered by the 1.5 litre 4A91 DOHC engine featuring MIVEC variable valve timing, producing 109 PS at 6,000rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This is the same engine found in the normally aspirated Mitsubishi Colt as well as the smart forfour.

Slightly up the range is a 1.8 litre model powered by the 4B10, a version of the 4B11 2.0 litre we know here in our market with a reduced displacement. The 4B10 engine makes 143 PS at 6,000rpm and 177Nm of torque at 4,250rpm. There will also be a 2.0 litre turbodiesel model producing 140 PS, likely to be using the same Volkswagen engine as the Indian turbodiesel Lancer sedan.

A Lancer Sportback Ralliart will also be showcased, featuring a turbocharged 4B11T 2.0 litre engine similiar to the one in the Lancer Evolution but iwth a lower power output of 240 horses and 343Nm of torque. It will be mated to the Twin Clutch SST gearbox, with an Active Center Differential and 4WD.

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Mitsubishi Triton 3.2 4X4 and 2.5 4X2 coming soon!

May 21, 2008 at 6:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Triton

Two new variants of the Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck wil be launched by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia sometime in June 2008. Complementing the existing 2.5 litre 4X4 Triton double cab manual and automatic versions will be a 4X2 version of the 2.5 litre double cab model with manual transmission, and a 3.2 litre 4X4 double cab model with an automatic transmission.

The 2.5 litre 4X2 Mitsubishi Triton is estimated to retail at approximately RM60,000, while the 3.2 litre 4X4 automatic has an indicative price of about RM100,000. The exisitng Mitsubishi Triton 2.5 litre 4X4 goes for RM91,782.00 OTR with insurance for the automatic model, and RM86,782.00 for the manual model.

The 3.2 litre engine specifications have not been announced at the moment, but we can expect it to be similiar to the engine specifications of the 3.2 litre turbodiesel Triton in other countries. The inline-4 turbodiesel engine produces 158 horsepower at 3,800rpm, and 347Nm of torque from 2,000rpm.

RELATED: Mitsubishi Triton 3.2 Test Drive Report

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Stiffer Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R “Special”

April 28, 2008 at 5:48 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Colt

Mitsubishi has launched a new special edition of the Colt Ralliart in Japan called the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R Special, which has a special chassis that is 10% stiffer than the standard version. This is thanks to the usage of continuous welding in certain areas of the chassis as opposed to spot welding. This should enhance chassis response to steering movements.

For the 2008 model year, the 1.5 litre MIVEC turbocharged engine also has its power upped to 163 horses, compared to the previous 154 horsepower. Torque remains 210Nm at 3,500rpm. This new upgraded power levels are also available with normal non-special edition Colt Ralliart Version-R for the 2008 model year.

The Colt Ralliart, or even the standard Colt is one of the best handling Japanese B-segment hatches around, and the turbocharged version kicks up the fun level another notch higher. If I am not mistaken, they are going for about a bit under RM100k in the second hand market for a model that’s perhaps 2 to 3 years old.

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