The Mitsubishi Lancer nobody really wants but almost everyone gets across the pond has become a bit more desirable in the UK with the launch of a new special edition, which as usual translates to additional equipment at a more competitive price. The new edition is called Juro and is based on the Lancer 1.5 GS2 hatchback, which is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine gasping out 107-horses and 143Nm or 105 lb-ft of peak torque.
The Lancer Juro comes equipped with black leather seats and an integrated Kenwood multimedia system that comprises Garmin Satellite Navigation, Parrott Bluetooth, iPod connection lead and reversing camera as standard.
Other standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, alarm, leather steering wheel with audio controls, electric windows, mirrors and locks, and a color-keyed rear spoiler to keep all those ponies close to the ground.
In the UK, the Lancer 1.5 Juro hatch is priced at £14,749, which includes free metallic paint and VAT.
Mitsubishi's European division has launched the 2010MY Pajero, which is also known as the Shogun and the Montero in some markets in Europe as well as other parts of the world. The minor model year facelift brings a prepped up version of Mitsubishi's 3.2-liter inline four turbo diesel engine that now makes 200HP and 441Nm or 325 lb-ft of torque, up from 160HP and 381Nm respectively.
Despite the 25 percent increase in performance, Mitsubishi claims that along with the introduction of a new 5-speed automatic transmission, the 2010 Pajero 3.2-liter DI-D achieves greater fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions compared to the outgoing model.
In particular, the combined consumption of the Pajero 3-door with a 5-speed manual gearbox has been reduced from 9.2 to 8.5 lt/100km with corresponding C02 emissions of 224g/km, down from 244g/km while the Pajero 5-door with the new auto box consumes on average 9.6 lt/100km instead of 10.6lt/100km.
Furthermore, the new Pajero 3.2 DI-D's towing capacity has been increased from 2,800kg to 3,000kg in the three-door model and from 3,300kg to 3,500 kg in the five-door version.
Other improvements for the 2010 model year include a thicker windshield and additional insulation that help reduce noise levels, new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheel designs and an upgraded version of Mitsubishi's Multi Communication System (MMCS) with a disk capacity of 40GB.
Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.
Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko today announced that the automaker will kill most of its current lineup of U.S.-made vehicles by 2014, as part of the company's “Jump 2013” mid-term business plan. The decision affects the Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder sports cars, Endeavor crossover and Galant sedan, which are going to be replaced with global vehicles built at the manufacturer’s Illinois plant. The Outlander crossover, Outlander Sport small crossover and Lancer sedan will provide the underpinnings for the new models.
According to Mr. Masuko, these changes won’t affect U.S. sales. In fact, he predicted that sales and production numbers will increase, albeit no target has been specified.
“Our sales in North America will increase”, Masuko said. “We'll still be selling cars brought in from Japan, and we'll be adding the global small car as well”.
When it comes to combined sales, Mitsubishi expects the Japanese, North American and European markets to register a jump of 90,000 units over the next three years.
Furthermore, the company is exploring other possibilities to gain much needed market share as well.
One plan of action will see Mitsubishi rolling out no less than eight electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by early 2016, including a small commercial truck version of the i-MIEV and plug-in hybrid SUV based on the Px-MiEV concept car shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
Mitsubishi also wants to bring its new global small car to the U.S. and target emerging markets with new models, such as a 1-ton pickup truck that could be jointly developed with Nissan.
It all started with a teaser sketch in early December '10, but today, Mitsubishi released the first real life photo of its Concept Global Small vehicle. The design study previews an upcoming subcompact model that is planned for production in March of 2012 at the Japanese firm's new third factory in Thailand, which will have an initial capacity for around 150,000 units per year.
Mitsubishi has not yet confirmed the markets for launch or detailed specifications on the production version of the new entry-level model. However, the company did note that the Global Small concept car will feature a fuel efficient 1.0-liter / 1.2-liter engine equipped with a regenerative braking system and start-stop technology, as well as a new-generation CVT and low rolling resistance tires.
We'll have more details on Mitsubishi's new sub-compact model after its debut at the Geneva motorshow, which opens in the beginning of March.
If you check the history of any motor vehicle, you can notice that each is the link in an evolution from time to time. It is the circumstances that force them to undergo evolution. They may be customer's preference, emission standards, competition from other cars in the same category so and so. Mitsubishi Outlander GT is an SUV which had to undergo an evolution due to the tight competition from Honda CRV. The result was the birth of the 'Sporty' Mitsubishi Outlander GT. An elaborate review of new Mitsubishi Outlander GT follows.
Design
The changes made in the front of new Mitsubishi Outlander GT gives it a musculine look. The reason behind this is the Jet Fighter Grill which reminds us that of Mitsubishi's Sports Sedan Evolution 10. The head lamps are also similar to that of Evo sedan.
The new Mitsubishi Outlander GT is built on the same platform as that of the SUVs Dodge Caliber, Chrysler Sebring and Mitsubishi Evolution 10. But the bumper and bonnet has been modified. Roof rails are in Silver color.
The High Intensity Discharge type headlamps have the ability to adjust light in accordance with the rotation of steering wheel. As a result, better road view is ensured in any condition including sharp turns. The outside rear view mirrors with turn indicators can be controlled electrically. These mirrors automatically fold when the car is locked after use.
The seats in Outlander GT provide a great level of comfort and support. The leather seats with biege color raises the standard of the interior. The glovebox, door trims, top of instrument panel and the steering are also covered in leather. The chrome rings around the A/C control panel nobes adds to the beauty of the interior. There is facility to adjust the temperature of the front seats.
The Sound System in new Outlander GT also has been modified. The 650 Watt Rockford Fosgate audio system has 9 speakers. This 6-CD player with USB and auxiliary port has also a 10 inch sub-woofer.
To make gear shifting easy, paddle shift facility also has been included. The slope of the steering wheel can be adjusted. Another feature present in new Outlander GT is electrically adjustable driver seats. Other features are : 16" alloys, head light washer system, Fog lamps, airbags etc.
Another exciting feature of Outlander GT is remote folding rear seats. If you press a button in the boot, the rear seats will be automatically folded and the bootspace increases from default 882 Liters to 1692 Liters.
Engine & Drive
The engine in the previous version of Outlander has been retained in the New Mitsubushi Outlander GT. The 2360cc 2.4L petrol engine which satisfies BS4 emission standards has a maximum power of 168Bhp @ 6000rpm and a maximum torque of 226Nm @ 4100rpm. Outlander GT has Sportronic CVT 6-speed Transmission.
Mounted in close proximity to the steering wheel, magnesium paddle shifters enhance sporty driving while ensuring that both hands stay safely on the steering wheel. Normally, up and down-shifting requires use of Sports Mode's '+' and '-' settings; using the paddle shifters while in 'D' range enables quicker, easier gear changes. Pulling the up-shift lever for more than two seconds returns the transmission to fully automatic mode. Clearly Displaying the drive mode on the multi-information display contributes to smoother, more fuel-efficient driving performance.
The engine's refinement should really be appreciated. The engine is so smooth that we can't know whether it is on or off. The 0-100 km time for Outlander is 10.2 seconds. The top speed of new Mitsubishi Outlander is 190 km/h.
New Mitsubishi Outlander uses 'All Wheel Control' technology in which instead of only the front or rear wheels, all four wheels are controlled independently to ensure superior handling in all driving conditions. Mitsubishi has made driver control the top priority throughout the design, construction, and testing, resulting in continually improving technologies, such as electronically controlled 4WD and our advanced 4-wheel independent suspension system. Apart, ABS with EBD and 4-wheel brakes ensure the safety of the passengers.
The mileage of Outlander is greater than that of Honda CRV. New Outlander has a mileage of 10.3 km/L.
Price
The price of new Outlander is 74,000 less than that of its predecessor. New outlander is worth Rs. 19.97 lakhs.
