Archive for Mitsubishi

A few weeks back, lucky NST journalist Shannon Teoh took the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 out for a test drive review, and I got to have a taste of the car as well as be the photographer for the test drive. I can’t say much about the car as I only got to drive it a little around Cyberjaya and back to NST in Bangsar, but it’s safe to say it was everything I expected it to be and more.

I found myself saying under my breath, “I can’t believe this is 6th gear” - and the reason for it being said under my breath was because I did not want to interrupt the moments where I was feeling that amazing amount of torque - all 400Nm of it.

That is the same amount of torque as the new E92 BMW M3. While the Evo 9 introduces MIVEC variable valve timing to the venerable 4G63 series and is supposed to smoothen out the torque curve and increase low-end power, there is still a mad surge of power and the intoxicating sound of a large turbine spinning furiously when you enter the boost range which begins a tad below 4,000rpm.

It was very hard to believe that this is a performance car, as the Lancer Evolution 9 had everything you need to be a practical family sedan - 5 seats, 4 doors, a nice big boot. What else could you ask for? However, it was hard justifying the thought of me ever buying one if I could afford it, as for a sedan that costs a tad over RM280,000, the interior sure did not feel premium.

For example, even the air conditioning was a manual knob controlled unit, and the audio system was very basic. Plus, just try maneuvering the Evo 9 in tight parking spaces. You’ll discover that for some reason the car has a really bad turning circle, ensuring that multiple three point turns will be one of your most frequent maneuvers in this car.

But then again, that’s just me. I am very particular about my car interior ambiance, and the Evo 9 is just not for me. It might be the car for you though, if you had RM284,872 to plonk down for one of the most exciting cars you can buy on Malaysian roads. BTW, there is no standard warranty for this car - a 1-year warranty is optional!

For now, have a look at more photos after the jump. You can click most of the images in this post to view an enlarged version.

Click here to read the rest of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 Short Write-up

In the spirit of entertainment, Best Motoring pits a bunch of Japanese compact cars against each other on the race track. You have the Honda Jazz 1.5 VTEC, the Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6, Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R 1.5 MIVEC Turbo, and the Daihatsu Boon X4. The first two are naturally aspirated, while the last two are turbocharged, and the Boon X4 has the advantage of all-wheel drive while the rest are front wheel driven. Oh, and all the cars are stick shifts. Video after the jump!

Click here to read the rest of Best Motoring Compact Car Race

Do you remember Race Rally Research’s specially modified Proton Waja FR? It was fitted with a Nissan turbocharged engine with a rear wheel drive configuration. The result was a Proton Waja that was rear wheel driven, and could really smoke up the drift track. Thanks to local motorsports enthusiast ingenuity, we now have a rear wheel drive Proton Satria as well, powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged VR4 engine. From speculation, it was likely achieved via fitting the VR4’s 4WD drivetrain to the vehicle and locking the gearbox to send power to the rear wheels only.

Video after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Rear wheel drive Proton Satria VR4 FR

For those who don’t want to be reading lengthy text about the new 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, you can have a look at these two walkaround videos where you’re guided through the features and specifications of the new car in an interview format. Mind you, this is the new 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, not the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X - so don’t be suprised by it having only 152hp and a 6-speed CVT gearbox. I do hope Mitsubishi Malaysia will bring it in soon, the last exciting thing in the C segment sedan market was the 2006 Honda Civic, we need something new for the new year!

Click here to read the rest of 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Walkaround Video

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and PSA Peugeot Citroën signed an agreement regarding the supply of turbodiesel engines by the French manufacturer to it’s Japanese partner. PSA Peugeot Citroën will supply it’s 2.2 liter common rail direct injection particulate filter turbodiesel engine to Mitsubishi.

PSA Peugoet Citroen has adapted the engine to be installed in it’s two SUVs based on the Mitsubishi Outlander platform - the Peugeot 4007 and the Citroen C-Crosser SUV, and Mitsubishi will be using the engine for it’s own Mitsubishi Outlander from mid-2007 onwards. The common rail direct injection turbodiesel makes 156 bhp and 380Nm of torque, and is biodiesel ready. Biodiesel fuel up to a 30% mixture can be used without any modification to the engine.

If anything happens between Proton and PSA Peugeot Citroen, I hope it somehow involves turbodiesels as it is somewhat essential for the European market.

Fifth Gear pits the latest production Evo - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9, against by far everyone’s favourite Evo, the last Evo with that menacing and raw look - the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.

Let’s see what’s changed since the introduction of the Evo 6 back in 1999, til the Lancer Evolution 9’s introduction in 2006. The Evo6 still costs about RM100 to 120K now.

Click here to read the rest of Fifth Gear: Evolution 6 vs. Evolution 9

We get another very clear preview on how the final Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will look like, with Mitsubishi’s latest concept vehicle, the Mitsubishi Prototype X. Lucky American visitors were able to have a look at it at the 2007 NAIAS in Detroit which will run until the 21st of this month.

The new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be built on Mitsubishi’s new GS Platform, which also underpines the latest Mitsubishi Outlander as well as the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and other Chrysler Group vehicles. The engine is of a new family, not the venerable turbocharged 4G63T series which has been gracing the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution since it’s first incarnation. The new engine is a 2.0 turbocharged unit with MIVEC variable valve timing codenamed 4B11, and is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automated clutch manual transmission with paddle shifters. It’s not known whether the Evo X’s automated manual will feature a single clutch or dual clutches. Final output figures of the 4B11 have not been stated, but Mitsubishi promises it will have the highest output of a stock Evo to date.

The new engine block is aluminum instead of the iron used in the 4G63T block, and is 20 kg lighter. The exhaust is located on the bulkhead side, allowing for improved placement that helps to lower the center of gravity. High inherent strength has been achieved partly through over-engineering of the open deck block, and the use of large water jackets and metal areas around each siamesed cylinder bore. All in all, the engine was designed to withstand high levels of boost.

The new Lancer is built on a longer wheelbase and wider track – but with a slightly shorter overall length than the previous model. The new Prototype X takes the sexy Lancer design further with widened wheel arches and sportier trim all round. The intercooler remains front mounted, and you have that trademark huge wing at the back - something that might just look silly on all cars except Evos and Imprezas. You also get the customary LED turn signals on the wing mirrors. Wheels are 20 inchers, which hide huge brake discs behind them.

More photos and a video after the jump.

Related Posts:
Mitsubishi Prototype X - future Evolution X
New 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer specs and photos revealed
Mitsubishi Lancer to be unveiled at 2007 NAIAS

Click here to read the rest of Mitsubishi Prototype X: A preview of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

A prototype version of the upcoming Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be shown at the upcoming North American International Auto Show to be held in Detroit during January 2007. The prototype will be called the Mitsubishi Prototype X, and will give us a clear vision of how the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will look like.

One more photo after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Mitsubishi Prototype X - future Evolution X

[UPDATE: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has launched the new Lancer. Click here for more details on the fully imported Lancer 2.0 GT that's available in Mitsubishi showrooms now.]

Mitsubishi Motors has released details on it’s new 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer, set to make it’s global public premiere at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (the Detroit Motor Show) at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

The new Mitsubishi Lancer is based on Mitsubishi’s new GS Platform, which is also the underpinings for a few other models like the latest Mitsubishi Outlander as well as the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and others. The new Lancer is larger than the current model, with an overall length of 4570 mm (35 mm longer), overall width of 1760 mm (65 mm wider), overall height of 1490 mm (60 mm taller) and wheelbase of 2635 mm (35 mm longer).

The engine for the American market version will be from a new family of engines by Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance, a joint venture between Mitsubishi, DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai. The new 4B11 engine, also used in the new Dodge Caliber, is a 2.0 liter DOHC 16 valve engine with MIVEC variable valve timing, making 152hp, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. There is also an optional CVT transmission with a 6-speed virtual gear mode called Sportronic(R). Cogs can be swapped via magnesium paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

The European version will come with 5 engine options, including a 140hp 2.0 liter common rail turbodiesel from Volkswagen AG. The performance Evo version is not out yet, but it’s expected to be powered by a 4B11T 2.0 liter MIVEC Turbo making over 300 horses equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox. Dodge used a different approach with it’s Caliber SRT-4, turbocharging the 4B12 2.4 liter instead. Rumours are that the Lancer Ralliart is also expected to come with a turbocharged engine, detuned to position it between the 2.0 MIVEC and the Evo’s 2.0 MIVEC Turbo, or it might just use the 172hp 2.4 liter 4B12, up from the current Ralliart’s 2.4 liter 4G69 SOHC making 160hp.

More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of New 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer specs and photos

The next generation Mitsubishi Lancer sports sedan will be unveiled to the public at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, to be held on January 13-21st 2007 at the Cobo Exhibition Center. The base engine will be a 1.5 liter 110ps engine in Europe, and the line-up will include turbodiesel models, as well as the eagerly awaited Evolution X model which will feature a 2.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine. This dispels rumours about the next Evo coming with a larger engine to rival the Impreza’s 2.5 liter unit available in certain markets - a 2.0 liter it will be!

The new Lancer sports sedan uses Mitsubishi’s Project Global platform, which shares chassis and engines with it’s partners DaimlerChrysler A.G., Hyundai, and recently PSA Peugeot Citroen. DaimlerChrysler’s new Dodge and Chrysler small sedans (example: the new Dodge Caliber) will be using the Lancer’s underpinings, while PSA Peugeot Citroen recently released SUVs based on the Outlander platform.

Related Posts:
More 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Spyshots
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Spyshots