Mitsubishi revealed the other day a special edition of its Shogun model. Based on the top-spec long wheelbase SG4 model, the Black comes with a new styling kit and a satin black trim pack that features 20-inch alloys, wing mirrors, spoiler, headlamp bezels and side steps, along with a black grille. Although it’s named the Black edition, this special Shogun will be available in other metallic colors as well, like the Frost White version you see in this photo.
Three months ago, Mitsubishi launched the 2012 model year that came with a Euro V-compliant engine and a bunch of upgrades inside the cabin. It comes as standard with the company’s Communication System that includes a satellite navigation system and a rear view camera, among other goodies.
The car is already available at dealers and it can be yours if you are willing to spend 41,999 pounds, which is 1,000 pounds more than the aforementioned SG4. If you want the metallic paint, you’ll have to pay an extra 540 pounds.
Back in 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi unveiled the Concept PX-MiEV. Two years later at the same venue, they’ve unveiled the second generation of the concept which is believed to preview the looks and probably an alternative powertrain option for the upcoming new generation of the Outlander.
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II
Design-wise, we notice some mild styling changes in comparison to the first model, like the bigger mirrors, higher roofline, more conventional alloys and also more production-ready bumper and lights designs.
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II
The company ditched the 1.6-liter gasoline power unit of the first concept and installed a 2.0-liter MIVEC unit that generates 94 hp (70 kW). It also has a couple of electric motors located at the front and back that can deliver 80 hp (60 kW) each. The batteries of the Concept PX-MiEV can be charged by the engine, through braking, or they can be refilled via a standard house plug.
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II
The SUV adopts Mitsubishi’s newly developed twin-motor, four-wheel-drive system which is linked to the Lancer Evolution X’s S-AWC advanced traction control system, also known as Super-All Wheel Control.
Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II
According to Mitsubishi, the car can be driven for a distance of up to 31 miles (50 km) on electric mode, and when using both the traditional gasoline engine and the electric power it has a range of up to 498 miles (800 km).
This week during the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi unveiled the 2012 Mirage which has been developed in order to “satisfy the needs of people all over the world.” It comes with aerodynamic wheel covers, a slender grille and a roof-mounted spoiler.
2012 Mitsubishi Mirage
Inside the cabin, the company’s designers have implemented a “simple & clean” philosophy which gives the cabin a roomy feeling. It has a bunch of metallic accents, a glossy black trim and a sporty instrument cluster.
2012 Mitsubishi Mirage
The tiny car is motivated by a new 3-cylinder, 1.0-liter engine that benefits from the variable valve timing system and has the stop/start system. No word about the performance specifications of this power unit but Mitsubishi has stated that it is mated to a CVT gearbox and should return 70.6 mpg (30 km/liter, 84.7 mpg UK or 3.3 liters / 100 km).
2012 Mitsubishi Mirage
The 2012 Mitsubishi Mirage will be launched in Thailand next March, before going on sale in the rest of the world.
Generally speaking, electric cars are more efficient than the conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles out there. The king in terms of efficiency would have to be the 2012 Mitsubishi i who occupies the number one spot in EPA’s Annual Fuel Economy Guide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the tiny car is able to return 126 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) in the city and 99 MPGe on the highway.
This means that the 2012 Mitsubishi i is better than last year’s Nissan Leaf and it is also the cheapest EV that money can buy at the moment. However, keep in mind that the i is considerably smaller than the Leaf as it is categorized as being a subcompact.
There’s also a larger version of the car which has been on sale in Japan and Europe for more than one year. The U.S.-spec model adopts a seating for four people and is able to reach a top speed of 80 miles, while the EPA-approved range is of 62 miles.
Mitsubishi has launched last week a special edition of the ASX model which is simply called Black. Inside the cabin, the crossover offers a black leather interior and a bunch of carbon inserts. On the outside we notice the black-painted 17-inch alloy wheels, along with black mirrors, spoiler, roof, fog lamp bezels and the front grille. As for the rest of the car, it is available in the following colors: red, grey, black, silver and blue.
The Mitsubishi ASX Black is powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine that develops 115 hp at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 114 lb.-ft at 4,000 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. If you prefer diesels, the crossover is also available with a 1.8-liter DiD turbodiesel that generates 147 hp at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 221 lb.-ft, reached between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm. This power unit is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The Black version of the ASX is 1,000 pounds more expensive than the ASX4 model on which this special edition is based on. The car is already available on sale in the United Kingdom.
At this year’s edition of the Tokyo Auto Show, the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi will bring the Concept PX MiEV II which is a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV that the carmaker says that it will be capable of offering a long cruising distance.
The car is powered by a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter MIVEC gasoline engine and two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. Each of these motors powers one axle and they are good for 60 kW, while the traditional engine generates 70 kW. On electricity alone, the SUV can be driven for a distance of up to 50 km while in hybrid mode it can travel for 800 km. The car’s combined fuel consumption is rated at 1.6 liters / 100 km (60 km/liter).
Mitsubishi Concept PX MiEV II
The Mitsubishi Concept PX MiEV II uses the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) traction control system that become popular after it was introduced in the Evolution X. This S-AWC system is mated to a twin-motor 4WD system and Mitsu says that it offers the car excellent handling capabilities.
Mitsubishi Concept PX MiEV II
This SUV measures 4660 mm in length, 1830 mm in width and 1680 mm in height. At the moment, this is only a concept but it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the Japanese carmaker will put it into production in the years to come.
The first generation of the Mitsubishi Mirage was introduced back in 1978 and the production of this model ended in 2002. Now, the car it’s back and it was unveiled this week by the Japanese automaker, before the vehicle’s official debut at the upcoming 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
2013 Mitsubishi Mirage
The tiny car is motivated by a 3-cylinder 1.0-liter MIVEC engine that comes with the Auto Stop & Go system which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. According to Mitsu, the new Mirage will have a fuel consumption of 30 km/liter. The power unit is mated to a CVT transmission that sends the power to the front wheels.
2013 Mitsubishi Mirage
This five-door hatchback measures 3710 mm in length, 1665 mm in width and 1490 mm in height, and the carmaker says that it offers enough room for four occupants.
2013 Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi spent a lot of time increasing the efficiency of the new Mirage and they reduced friction and rolling resistance of the power unit, transmission, tires and brakes. In addition, the new generation of the Mirage benefits from a highly aerodynamic body.
The automaker didn’t publish the price list for the 2013 Mirage but the car is expected to hit the dealerships in March next year.
British customers will be able to order the 2012 Mitsubishi Shogun starting with next week at a base price of 29,499 pounds for the entry-level SG2 model up to 40,999 pounds for the high-end SG4 model. Known in other areas as the Pajero or the Montero, the updated Shogun comes with a new design for the front grille that has slotted bars plus thick chrome dividers on both sides. Aside from this, the off-roader rides on a new set of 18-inch multi-spoke alloys, black front skid plate and roof rails, along with a color-keyed front bumper.
As far as the interior cabin is concerned, the 2012 Shogun benefits from materials of higher quality for the leather and cloth upholsteries, a brushed silver finish for the power window control panels and a new illumination for the instruments.
All of the variants of the Shogun feature a brake override system which applies only the brakes when the driver hits the accelerator and brake pedals simultaneously. For the SG3 and SG4 versions, the Shogun comes as standard with privacy glass and automatic wipers, while the SG4 also comes with a color-coded spare wheel cover.
Several days ago, the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi stated that its 2012 version of the “i” model will be more expensive because of “unforeseen changes in market conditions”. As a consequence, the car will have a base price of $29,985, including the $860 destination charge. This makes the car $1,135 more expensive than before, but still less than what the company estimated it would cost, which is between $35,000 and $40,000.
The 2012 Mitsubishi is considerably more affordable than two of its most important rivals, the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf. The Volt has a starting price of $39,995 while the Leaf will set you back at least $36,050. Both prices include the $850 destination charge. The car is scheduled to go on sale at first in California, Oregon, Hawaii and Washington in November this year. The company also mentioned that its petite EV is going to quality for a federal tax credit of $7,500.
We finally have one car that is more fuel efficient than the very popular Nissan Leaf. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has rated the 2012 Mitsubishi i with a combined fuel economy of 112 MPGe, which is better than the Leaf’s 99 MPGe and the Volt’s 93 MPGe.
Despite the fact that this compact EV is more fuel efficient when compared to the two aforementioned rivals, it has a smaller battery pack which according to EPA lasts only 62 miles until you have to recharge it again. The Mitsubishi i comes with a battery that has a 16 kilowatt-hours capacity, which makes it considerably smaller than the 24 kilowatt-hour unit that comes in the Leaf.
This smaller battery pack makes the car lighter and improves efficiency but the disadvantage is that it provides a smaller range. However, if you analyze the cost per mile, the Mitsubishi i is a worthy competitor to the bigger Nissan Leaf.
The success or failure of a car is greatly influenced by its name. Cars are not all about engines, gearboxes, gadgets, safety features and the rest of the lot. Marketing plays an important role in this industry and by naming a car LaPuta (“the whore” in Spanish) like Mazda did, no wonder that it was an epic failure for the Japanese automaker.
10. Subaru Brat
Manufactured between 1978 and 1987, the Subaru Brat is not only a car with an ugly name, but it also has one of the most awful designs we’ve seen from Subie. Brat stands for “bi-drive recreational all-terrain transporter.” Think of the car as a Japanese version of the El Camino. Despite its awful name, the car was pretty good thanks to its all-wheel drive capabilities. But let’s face it; wouldn’t you be embarrassed if someone asked you what car you drive?
09. Oldsmobile Intrigue
Oldsmobile launched the Intrigue in 1998 and discontinued it four years later. It was a front-wheel drive mid-size sedan, but there was nothing intriguing about it. It was developed for passionless and boring people, featuring a very dull design, making it perfect for a rental car and we all know that rental cars are anything but intriguing.
08. Dodge Swinger
The Dodge Swinger was launched in ’69 (obviously) so we have to understand the automaker for giving the car this name. Aside from its rather embarrassing name, the car was pretty awful. It was in fact a two-door version of the Dodge Dart, another automotive “masterpiece”.
07. Renault LeCar
The North American version of the Renault 5 was called “LeCar”. I don’t understand why the French automaker decided to change the car’s name when it took it stateside. Nothing is wrong with an alphanumeric car name and you’ll rarely see one in top 10s like this one. Even worse than that are the oversized “Le Car” decals on the doors.
06. Daihatsu Charade
It really was a charade with its cheap looks, uncompetitive price. No wonder they sold only a few units between 1988 and 1992, despite being under the guidance of Toyota.
05. Buick LaCrosse
If you didn’t know, “LaCrosse” is a unique French word that means “a teenage masturbator”. Maybe they meant to say “la crosse” rather than “lacrosse”. No wonder Buick sold only a couple of units in French-speaking Quebec. In addition, this also can be translated “to trick someone”, yet another unfortunate meaning.
04. Mitsubishi Pajero
“Pajero” is a Spanish slang for the word “wanker”. However, Mitsubishi was clever enough to give the car a different name when it brought it in Spain as they named it “Montero”. However, there are lots of Spanish-speaking drivers that own a wanker which is pretty funny if you think about it.
03. Nissan Moco
Nissan made a very good decision not to bring the car in Spain as it would have been an embarrassing thing to do, taking into consideration that “moco” there means snot or booger. Luckily, Nissan sold the car only in Japan.
02. Mazda LaPuta
We mentioned this one in the first paragraph so it “deserves” its own place in the top. It was a great little car, excellent for city driving. Mazda launched it in 1999 and manufactured it for seven years, the model being discontinued in 2006. The company chose this name after Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”. However, “la puta” in Spanish means prostitute.
01. Ford Probe
Back in the 1980s, Ford was about to transform its iconic Mustang in a V8-free, FWD model, co-developed with Mazda. They changed their mind after fans of the pony car got angry at the prospect of a car totally different from what they were used to. However, Ford released a model that at first they wanted to be the new Mustang. It did not take very long after the car was launched to think of the word “probe” and its multitude of connotations, including the embarrassing one of course.
The original Mitsubishi Eclipse was launched back in 1989 and its 4th generation went into production in 2006. The Japanese automaker is preparing to say goodbye to its Eclipse model with a SE Special Edition series. All of the trim levels (GS, GS Sport and GT) are going to be available as a special edition version, featuring 18-inch dark finish alloy rims, black side mirrors, along with the standard features that you would normally find on the GS Sport versions for both the coupe and the convertible models.
Mitsubishi Eclipse SE
As standard, you get leather upholstery with heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, along with heated side mirrors, rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a powerful 9-speaker / 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with SIRIUS satellite radio. In addition, the coupe version also packs a sunroof.
Mitsubishi Eclipse SE
The Eclipse Special Edition is going to be available with a choice of two engines: a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder 2.4-liter that outputs 162 hp, available for the GS/GS Sport models, and a more powerful V6 3.8-liter engine that produces 265 hp, for the GT model, which is going to be linked to a 5-speed Sportronic automatic gearbox, allowing the driver to change the gears manually when he wants to. The Eclipse GT SE will also get an automatic climate control system.
Pretty soon U.S. citizens will have a cheaper alternative to the Nissan Leaf in the form of the Mitsubishi i EV. This week during the New York Auto Show, the Japanese automaker said that the car will hit the dealerships in November this year, at a base price of $20,490 for the entry-level ES model and $22,490 for the better-equipped ES version. These prices include the government subsidies ($7,500).
Mitsubishi i EV
This means that the Mitsubishi i EV is going to be the cheapest 100% mass-production electric vehicle in North America, almost $5,000 more affordable than the Nissan Leaf, but keep in mind that the latter is a compact model, while the i EV belongs to the sub-compact segment.
Mitsubishi i EV
The car is powered by the company’s MiEV technology and its rear wheels are driven by a 66 hp synchronous electric motor, along with a 330V lithium-ion battery that is capable of storing up to 16 kWh. It also sports a single fixed reduction gear transmission and the electric motor offers a peak torque of 145 lb.-ft, good enough for a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).
Mitsubishi i EV
With the batteries full, the car can be driven for up to 85 miles (137 km) and to fill up these batteries you’ll have to wait 6 hours when using a 240V/15A Level 2 home EVSE Eaton charging station and 22 and a half hours from your conventional household outlet. The good news is that you can fill up the batteries to 80% of their level in just 30 minutes at a public quick-charging station, if there is one where you live. The battery pack has an 8-year / 100,000 miles warranty.
Mitsubishi i EV
The base model comes as standard with power windows and mirrors, AC, a 4-speaker 100-watt audio system, along with the MiEV remote system that allows the battery pack to be charged via timer and also you will be able to pre-activate the heater or the AC.
More info about the Evo’s future has been revealed this week. This time, the Japanese automaker confirmed that there will be an Evo XI, but it will not be “advancing the concept in the same way as before.” This is both good and bad news. Good because we now know for certain that there is going to be a successor to the Evo X, and bad because it will probably be an entire different car, not following the Evo breed as the rest of the generations. (more…)
At the beginning of this month, certain rumors regarding the discontinuation of the Evo X surfaced the Internet and now the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is doing some damage control. The company’s UK subsidiary has put out a press release in which they’ve announced that the price for the Evo X will be reduced; making sure that the current generation of the model is still present in the market. After the current series is phased out in 2012/2013, the new model will have to undergo some significant changes.
This press release was put out in order to give a boost to the Evo X, but at the same time it doesn’t say anything about its future, only that it will still be around in some form. Most likely, some hybrid versions will be introduced, while at the same time, some of the high-octane variants will be discontinued.
As a reminder, the current Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X is a 4-door rally car with street-legal specifications and is being made in Japan. The car has an S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) all-wheel drive system and the engine is mated to a dual-clutch gearbox – (TC-SST) Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission.
Since the introduction of the Evolution series in 2000, Mitsubishi has managed to sell more than 6,000 units. The FQ-300 SST is the base model and offers 300 hp (304 PS / 224 kw), all for a starting price of $47,700 (UK market).
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