Filed under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, First Drives, Electric
Light Weight, Rear-Wheel Drive And Instant Torque Bubble Up
There are two simple truths about the Mitsubishi i that should help this funky little electric car sell well in the U.S. once it goes on sale later this year. First, it looks like absolutely nothing else on the road today. Second, the car is much more fun than its jellybean shape implies.
The North American-spec i does share its look with versions on sale in Japan and Europe, but this EV is a different beast compared to those models. It's also completely different from the gas-powered kei-car sold only in Mitsubishi's home market, which was named the Japan Car of the Year by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference in 2007. It's also completely different from the Japan or Euro-spec electric i-MiEVs (which are also slightly different from each other) that Mitsubishi has been showing off in the U.S. for the past few years. We've had a chance to drive these other models, and you can read our thoughts on the foreign i-MiEV here and here. At this point, though, it's best not to bother - this i is something new.
That's part of the idea, since the i is meant to be distinctive. Love it or hate it, Mitsubishi thinks that this is what electric car buyers want: an electric vehicle that looks like an electric vehicle, even if it comes from gas roots.
Continue reading 2012 Mitsubishi i
2012 Mitsubishi i originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hatchback, Mitsubishi, First Drives, Electric
Light Weight, Rear-Wheel Drive And Instant Torque Bubble UpThere are two simple truths about the Mitsubishi i that should help this funky little electric car sell well in the U.S. once it goes on sale later this year. First, it looks like absolutely nothing else on the road today. Second, the car is much more fun than its jellybean shape implies.
The North American-spec i does share its look with versions on sale in Japan and Europe, but this EV is a different beast compared to those models. It's also completely different from the gas-powered kei-car sold only in Mitsubishi's home market, which was named the Japan Car of the Year by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference in 2007. It's also completely different from the Japan or Euro-spec electric i-MiEVs (which are also slightly different from each other) that Mitsubishi has been showing off in the U.S. for the past few years. We've had a chance to drive these other models, and you can read our thoughts on the foreign i-MiEV here and here. At this point, though, it's best not to bother - this i is something new.
That's part of the idea, since the i is meant to be distinctive. Love it or hate it, Mitsubishi thinks that this is what electric car buyers want: an electric vehicle that looks like an electric vehicle, even if it comes from gas roots.
Continue reading 2012 Mitsubishi i
2012 Mitsubishi i originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrid, Technology, Crossover, Mitsubishi
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to a new report from Ward's Auto, a top Mitsubishi executive says a plug-in hybrid version of its Outlander Sport is bound for the U.S. in 2013.
Unveiled in concept form at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi touts the hybridized crossover's "environmental and on-road performance," as well as its electrified powertrain, which combines a 1.6-liter gasoline-powered four-cylinder and the necessary hybrid hardware to a lithium-ion battery pack.
The Outlander Sport plug-in hybrid will mark Mitsubishi's second electrified offering in the States. First up is the battery-powered 2012 i hatchback, which is slated to launch in early 2012.
Beyond those two models, Mitsubishi says that six additional electrified vehicles will launch globally before the end of 2015.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport plug-in hybrid coming to U.S. in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Japan, Mitsubishi, Electric, Racing
Mitsubishi has expressed serious interest in FIA president Jean Todt's proposed electric F1 series. The idea is in its infancy, and there is long way to go before silent F1 cars are zipping around the world's best racing circuits, but interest from the brand gives the idea a bit of a boost.
Over the last two years, Mitsubishi has significantly reduced its motorsports participation, beginning with its withdrawal from the 2009 Dakar Rally. That, coupled with the recent controversy surrounding the future of the Lancer Evolution, has elicited criticism that the Mitsubishi is moving in an anti-motorsports direction.
Company brass say that isn't true. Mitsubishi claims it's very interested in electric-vehicle racing as a way to speed up EV technology development and make advancements in its future road vehicles. Still, we'd wager it'll be years before an electric Evo hits the streets.
[Source: Mainichi Daily News]
Mitsubishi interested in electric Formula 1 series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Car Buying, Sedan, Mitsubishi
Yoichi Yokozawa, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, recently confirmed to Automotive News that a new Lancer SE will be arriving this fall as a 2012 model. The SE will feature the all-wheel drive of the Ralliart and Evolution models, but will be paired with the naturally aspirated engine found in the current DE, ES (pictured) and GTS trims.
Official details and pricing information has not been released as of this writing, but Automotive News reports that the SE will sticker for approximately $20,000. Mitsubishi says that the SE should account for 15 to 20 percent of all Lancer sales.
Adding the SE trim to the Lancer lineup is part of Mitsubishi's plan to someday sell 100,000 units in the United States again. The last time Mitsubishi sold over 100,000 vehicles in this market was 2007, when sales totaled 128,993.
Mitsubishi adding AWD Lancer SE to lineup this fall originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
