Archive for Mitsubishi

[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

Some updates about the upcoming Mitsubishi Triton. The engine is an updated 2.5 liter twin cam commonrail intercooler turbodiesel making 138ps at 3,500rpm, and 314Nm of torque at 2,000rpm, effectively killing the Nissan Frontier’s claims of being the most powerful pick-up in Malaysia. The Frontier makes 133ps, but at a higher 4,000rpm, and it’s torque is lower by 10Nm. Price is expected to be at RM88,000 for the double cab manual, and RM93,000 for the double cab auto.

More details at Motor Trader, who were invited to the Mitsubishi Triton preview.

The aging Mitsubishi L200 or the Mitsubishi Storm, as it was called before Mitsubishi Malaysia refreshed it is due to be replaced soon - and it might be sooner than we think! CBU stocks of it’s space age looking successor the Mitsubishi Triton has been spotted in port holding areas. More photos after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Mitsubishi Triton sighted in Malaysia

Mitsubishi has developed another vehicle for electric vehicle research, the Mitsubishi i MIEV. Mitsubishi took the Mitsubishi i, and installed a lightweight motor into it, hooked up to a pack of high-energy density li-ion batteries, retaining the rear-midship layout. The Mitsubishi i’s rear-midship engine location allows the new motor and battery packs to be placed in front of the rear axle line, which ensures ample cabin space for passengers. The Mitsubishi i MIEV is also equipped with an on-board charger which supports charging from ordinary electric outlets - plug-in capability!

Mitsubishi will begin joint research with the Tokyo Electric Power Company, and The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., in November 2006 and with Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd, in January 2007. MMC will provide each power company with Mitsubishi i MiEV cars. The power companies will evaluate how fast-charge infrastructure can be developed for electric vehicles. Fast charging will allow the Mitsubishi i MIEV to be charged in about 20 minutes, compared to the hours it takes now.

After this first phase, fleet testing will begin in Autumn 2007 in order to verify the vehicle’s technical capabilities in daily use and to evaluate the commercial acceptance in collaboration with the power companies above along with, the Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd, and Hokuriku Electric Power Company. The data collected from the test of daily use shall be used to assess the commercial viability of EVs in the market place.

The 1080kg electric vehicle is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor developing 63 horsepower and 180Nm of torque. This motor spins up to 8,500rpm, which translates to a top speed of 130km/h. This is hooked up to a pack of 330 volt lithium ion batteries which will have a 16 kWh capacity at first, but is expected to be 20 kWh during the fleet test phase. With a 100V power supply, it charges in 11 hours to 80%, and with a 200V supply it fills up to 80% capacity in 4 hours. And did I mention it’s rear wheel drive? I just did Check out Mitsubishi’s other electric vehicle, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MIEV.

One more diagram after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Mitsubishi i MIEV Research Electric Vehicle

The next generation Mitsubishi Pajero will be unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show to be held from September 28 2006 to October 15 2006. The new Mitsubishi Pajero - fourth in it’s generation - will continue the SUV’s legacy since it was first launched 25 years ago in 1982. The Mitsubishi Pajero was sold in 170 countries and regions, also known as the Mitsubishi Montero or Shogun in different markets.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero will retain it’s precedessor’s SUV specifications like its approach angle, ground clearance, and other all-terrain performance specifications. New features will include a new 3.2 liter inline-4 common rail direct fuel injection turbodiesel, or a 3.8 liter V6 MIVEC petrol unit, likely the same award-winning 6G75 powerplant in the Mitsubishi 380. True to it’s off-roader nature, it will be equipped with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II transfer case with Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC). In-car entertainment will be provided by a 12-speaker 860W Rockford Acoustic Design Premium Sound System.

The new fourth generation Mitsubishi Pajero will be produced at the Pajero Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Shipments to Europe will begin this month, followed by shipments within Japan as well as to Australia in October. We will also see a kitted up Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution based on the new Pajero at the Paris Motor Show, which will be used in the 2007 Dakar Rally.

The photo above is the long wheelbase version, for the short wheelbase 2-door version as well as some shots of the interior scanned from a magazine, look after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of 4th Gen Mitsubishi Pajero to be unveiled

We have some comments from Proton now regarding the Perdana Replacement Model project. Unfortunately, as expected we have to source this from foreign papers. This piece of news comes from the Australian paper the Herald Sun, reported by Bernama. Proton’s head for product planning and programme engineering Bob Hall commented to Australian journalists regarding the possible import of the Australian market Mitsubishi 380 as Proton’s flagship replacement for the aging Proton Perdana.

“The Perdana is so far past its use-by date. It’s (the Mitsubishi 380 Perdana Replacement Model study project) still alive. It’s a heavily-studied project.”

While the original plan was to bring the cars in fully imported as CBU models, this would push the prices of the Perdana Replacement Model far too high to be competitive. Proton now plans to import CKD kits and assemble it locally to save on non-ASEAN CBU import duties.

The report says Proton hopes to get the car with a 2.4 liter motor, which was also a concern of Mitsubishi’s due to rising petrol prices in Australia which are currently approaching A$1.50 (RM4.20) a litre. A 3.8 liter engine would be unfeasible for our local market, and a likely 2.4 liter candidate would be the 4G64 2.4 liter engine or the 4G69 (160hp, 212Nm) which is a derivative of the 4G64 with MIVEC variable valve timing as well as other enhancements found in the USDM Mitsubishi Galant.

Related Posts:
Perdana Replacement Model to get I4 engine
Perdana Replacement Model in April 2007

CarPoint Australia has a preview article on the new Proton Satria Neo, but that’s not important. What’s interesting is something in the article regarding the upcoming Perdana Replacement Model, said to be based on the Australian-built Mitsubishi 380.

CarPoint quotes it’s sources saying up to 15,000 Mitsubishi 380 cars could find it’s way to Malaysia if a viable four-cylinder engine can be engineered into the Mitsubishi 380. With a curb weight of 1,625kg as compared to the current Proton Perdana V6’s 1,300kg it would require at least a 2.4 liter engine to lug it around so it will not feel sluggy. Of course, 2.0 liter engine would be sufficient, but it would not be as nice a drive as the current Perdana. The current Perdana has a Mitsubishi 6A12 2.0 liter DOHC V6 engine that makes 147hp at 6,750rpm and 179Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

If you take a look at the current Mitsubishi Galant which shares many underpinings with the Mitsubishi 380, you will find that it has a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine with MIVEC variable valve timing that could be suitable for the new Perdana Replacement Model.

The 2.4 liter 4G69 makes 160hp at 5,500rpm and has a maximum torque of 212Nm at 4,000rpm. One downside is it looks like there are only 4-speed automatic gearbox options for all the possible engines, while the other cars in the Perdana range are moving up to 5-speed transmissions. Tentative launch date is April 2007.

I will continue monitoring industry sources for updates on the Perdana Replacement Model, so stay tuned!

Source

Related Posts:
Perdana Replacement Model in April 2007
Proton-Mitsubishi Feasibility Study
Mitsubishi 380 3.8L V6

Brenda Priddy & Co have captured these nice spyshots of what might be the upcoming Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, which will debut in 2008. From the spyshots on Dubspeed Driven, we can see that the concept has pretty much stayed true to the Mitsubishi Concept X shown in September 2006.

The bulge on the bonnet seems to indicate a top mounted intercooler since there is nothing visible in the bumper grilles, though I’m not sure what kind of intercooling it’s supposed to be doing covered up like that. If you peek into the interior, you can see a twin-pod type of meter design, similiar to the ones found in our Protons and Lotus cars. The Mitsubishi Concept X showed a similiar twin-pod design but the meter holder itself was not twin-pod shaped. Pictures of the Mitsubishi Concept X for your comparison are after the jump. For the full spyshots, head on to Dubspeed Driven. For more photos of the Mitsubishi Concept X, check out this post.

UPDATE: This is likely a next generation Mitsubishi Lancer being tested, due to the abscence of wide flared fenders and a wing at the back.

Click here to read the rest of 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Spyshots

Utusan Malaysia reports that Proton will introduce a new model developed together with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in April 2007. MMC president Osamu Masuko says that Proton and MMC are in the final stages of partnership talks, with details to be written down in black and white soon.

The new Mitsubishi-based Proton model will most likely be a replacement for the aging Proton Perdana which was based on a 1990s Mitsubishi Galant Eterna. The new Perdana Replacement model is said to be based on the Australian Mitsubishi Galant known as the Mitsubishi 380. The Galant/380 comes with a huge award winning 3.8 liter V6 engine, but this will likely be replaced by a 2.0 or 2.4 liter unit for Malaysian usage.

Click here to read the rest of Perdana Replacement Model in April 2007