Mitsubishi auto news

Toyota CEO lists favorite cars from other automakers

During a meeting of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Toyota president Akio Toyoda offered a "Chapeau!" to his fellow CEOs by listing his favorite cars from other makers. He listed just one vehicle from five makers represented on the board, in alphabetical order: the Honda NSX, Isuzu Bellett, Mazda Cosmo, Mitsubishi Pajero (our Montero) and Nissan Skyline.

Toyoda didn't give his reasons for choosing these car beyond each being "memorable." Even so, going through the list any car enthusiast knows the Honda (Acura in the States) NSX needs no introduction nor explanation. The Mitsubishi Pajero is probably as well known for it's off-road excellence as it is for its name change in Spanish-speaking lands due to the word "pajero" - all the more intriguing when it's apparently named after an Argentine cat, Leopardus pajeros. And although the "Skyline" moniker was made famous overseas by the GT-R, the Nissan Skyline that Toyoda references has a long history and is our Infiniti G.

The Mazda Cosmo (pictured) was an Italian-esque little coupe produced from 1967 to 1995, the first series production vehicle with a two-rotor rotary engine. The Isuzu Bellett was that firm's in-house replacement for the English Hillmans it was rebranding, the first Japanese car to get GT badging (it would also get a GT-R version), and it would cover just about every segment with sedan, coupe, station wagon and pickup truck variants.

Official: Mitsubishi previews bonkers i-MiEV Evolution for Pikes Peak

No, that's not a Mitsubishi i-MiEV in a fat suit, it's the automaker's brand-new all-electric race car, and it's set to take on the 2012 Pike's Peak International Hill Climb in July. This isn't the first time we've seen an EV enter the Pike's Peak challenge - Nissan commissioned a Leaf for battle last year, a car that set the bar for all future electric racers.

Mitsubishi says that its race car, dubbed i-MiEV Evolution, uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the standard, bean-shaped electric car that we haven't quite grown to love. Aside from the additional bodywork, the chassis has clearly been lengthened and widened, and the race car now uses an all-wheel-drive configuration rather than the rear-wheel drive of the standard i-MiEV.

To give you an idea of just how big the racer is, a quick glance of Mitsubishi's specs show that the i-MiEV Evolution's dimensions are within a few inches of the stock Lancer Evolution. We wouldn't be surprised if the all-wheel-drive system was sourced from the Lancer, as well.

Mitsubishi will also be bringing two more of its EVs to the Pike's Peak event, including an i that has been updated with a more aerodynamic front bumper and new safety equipment, as well as a bone stock model. Scroll down for the official press blast.

Continue reading Mitsubishi previews bonkers i-MiEV Evolution for Pikes Peak

Report: Mitsubishi Mirage headed to Canada, U.S. sales chances "50-50"

Automotive News reports Mitsubishi plans to bring its recently unveiled Mirage to the Canadian market, and that the five-door hatch has a 50-percent chance of making it to U.S. buyers as well. Mitsubishi pulled the Mirage nameplate from the U.S. in 2002, but unveiled a new version of the car in Thailand just last month. At a smidge over 146 inches long, the tiny hatch would be a suitable competitor for the likes of the Chevrolet Spark and give dealers a much-needed product infusion. The company killed off the Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder and the Endeavor just recently and Mitsubishi showrooms are starting to look decidedly emaciated.

But Mitsubishi says it may not be as simple as dropping the new Mirage on U.S. soil and hoping for the best. The automaker has a reworked Outlander coming down the pike, and launching two models in close succession may make already scarce marketing dollars even harder to come by.

Then there's the fact that the new Mirage is a no-nonsense, bare-bones creation designed to appeal to the budget-minded buyers of South Asia. Mitsubishi has some reservations about unleashing the model on content-hungry Americans. Even so, Mitsubishi says the company has yet to reach an official decision about a U.S. launch.

Motorsports: Pikes Peak roster adds female off-road star, former Le Mans champ

Things are getting yet more interesting for this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the addition of Le Mans winner Romain Dumas and off-road racer Beccy Gordon. Dumas was part of the winning team in the Audi R15 TDI in 2010 and has taken the top spot at the 24 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in various Porsches. He will tackle the Colorado incline in a Porsche 997 GT3-R.

Gordon has been racing off-road for years now, forms half the duo in All American Girl racing, and has taken two SCORE off-road victories. Her off-road expertise won't give her the full benefit this year since the mountain road has been completely paved, but that's probably better for the car she'll be driving: the 2012 Mitsubishi i-Miev. Gordon will be in the same Electric Auto Division class with Monster Tajima.

Scroll down below for the press releases, and get ready to tune in July 8 for the action.

Continue reading Pikes Peak roster adds female off-road star, former Le Mans champ

Report: Automakers make up 10% of Forbes list of 100 largest companies

Forbes has measured the largest 100 companies in the world, and 10 automakers have made the list. This list is unique in that it measures the size of a company using a combination of sales, assets, profits and market value.

Volkswagen was rated as the top automaker in the top 100 (number 17 overall), with sales of $221 billion and $21.5 billion in profit. Toyota finished a close second, ranked number 25 overall with sales of $228.5 billion. Daimler finished at 37 due in part to $188.7 billion in assets and a $66.3 billion market cap. Ford came in at 44 with a market value of $47.5 billion. Honda, which also sells motorcycles and generators, among other things, rounds out the top five with $137.7 billion in assets.

Finishing outside of the top five were BMW (61), General Motors (63), Nissan (85), Mitsubishi (95) and Hyundai (96). Mitsubishi made the top 100 in part because it sells hoards of electronics around the world.

No automakers were able to crack the top 10, even with massive sales volume and solid profits. The top 10 was, however, dominated by the oil companies that feed those cars and trucks. Exxon finished number one, with five other oil companies in the top 12.

New York: Made in America: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Not every reveal at the 2012 New York Auto Show was as exciting as the SRT Viper. As evidence, we present the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The compact crossover joins the Honda Crosstour and Toyota Venza in the "subtle change, seemingly just for change's sake" category at the show.

Mitsubishi has endowed its bestseller with a modestly revised front fascia, while giving it a new rear bumper, black side sills and standard 18-inch wheels. Inside, some new fabrics and chrome are on display. More importantly, the 2013 Outlander Sport does boast some mechanical changes in the form of revised rear suspension tuning and a recalibrated CVT. Some new exterior colors round out the package.

The biggest news regarding the Outlander Sport, however, is that production will be shifted to the U.S. in July, but we already knew that.

Be sure to check out our gallery of high-res images of the refresh, and skip past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Made in America: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Report: Mitsubishi to double production at Illinois plant

According to reports citing Japan's Nikkei daily, Mitsubishi Motors North America will be cranking up production at its Normal, Illinois plant, but not because the company expects a 100-percent increase in demand here to match the 70,000 units the plant will soon be cranking out. Instead, the plant will be making Outlander Sport models intended for export from the U.S. to markets like Russia and Latin America. To make way for the increased Outlander Sport output, the slow-moving Galant family sedan will leave the building. No replacement has been announced.

Mitsubishi has plants worldwide, but those in closest proximity to strengthening markets are reportedly running at full tilt, so the move makes use of plants in markets where demand is slack. Mitsubishi has seen its fortunes in the U.S. atrophy, and even though sales improved somewhat last year, this production shift shows that turnabout is fair play, with the offshore parent using its American assets to make cars for markets that would typically be producing the goods, not consuming them.

Official: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport grabs IIHS Top Safety Pick

Mitsubishi may be one of the smallest auto manufacturers, but it's on its game when it comes to safety. The Outlander Sport compact crossover joins Mitsubishi's Lancer on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety list of Top Safety Picks.

The designation applies only to 2012 models, as Mitsubishi made changes to the roof design this year that helped the Outlander Sport score a "Good" rating on the roof strength test. It also earned "Good" marks on frontal offset and side impact tests, and with standard stability control it met all the criteria for the IIHS award.

See below for the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport grabs IIHS Top Safety Pick

Video: Such A Tease: Watch a Porsche 911 GT3 RS take on a Yamaha R1... on ice

You've seen plenty of motorcycle-versus-car contests that take place on public roads or dedicated race tracks. But you've probably never seen one where the two machines are wearing Blizzaks... or even studded tires.

French motorcycle publication Moto Journal has decided to turn the two-wheeled contingent on its head by moving the battleground to the frozen stretches of Lapland on a replica race track of Le Castellet, also known as Circuit Paul Ricard, cut through the snow and ice. In the first round, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS goes up against a 1,000cc Yamaha R1. Up next is a Mitsubishi EVO IX against a Yamaha WR450F. Yes, this is going to be good.

If the idea of watching an R1 hit 160 miles per hour on the ice isn't enough to make you watch, perhaps we should mention that its rider is donning an Evel-Knievel-style cape, and that this appears to be just a teaser of a longer video or possibly even a series. Enough talking already. Check out the video in its entirety below.

Continue reading Such A Tease: Watch a Porsche 911 GT3 RS take on a Yamaha R1... on ice

Geneva: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander lets it all hang out

Despite staying rather quiet last year product-wise, Mitsubishi actually enjoyed a very strong sales comeback, led by its new Outlander Sport compact crossover. That crossover's larger cousin, the Outlander, has remained largely under the radar for most consumers, with a modest 2010 facelift eking out a bit of sales life for a model that has been making the rounds since 2006. That will change in 2013 with the introduction of this new Outlander, which moves away from the single-frame grille in favor of a more horizontally oriented look.

It isn't immediately clear to what extent the Outlander is all-new, as the vehicle appears to have some unusually large overhang that suggests a revision of an older chassis, but we understand that this is a new architecture underneath. Offering a size that's similar to the outgoing model, the Outlander will continue to offer both five- and seven-seat configurations, with the third row reserved for small children. In addition to a range of gas and diesel models available in various markets paired with a new six-speed automatic or manual gearbox, a plug-in hybrid variant is in the cards as early as later this year.

For more, see our gallery of live shots and the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander lets it all hang out