Mitsubishi
Ralliart scales down operations – ceases motorsport support and product development
Here’s some sad news. Mitsubishi’s sporting arm Ralliart is the latest to succumb to the tough new environment brought by the global economic downturn and is winding down operations. This means that Ralliart will no longer lend support to motorsport customers and privateers. Also halted is the planning, development and selling of Ralliart products.
“The business circumstance surrounding our company radically became worse and so, this time we have reached the conclusion that we Ralliart Inc, would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010,” according to Ralliart Inc’s president Masao Taguchi, in a “goodbye note” to the firm’s customers. Read it for yourself after the jump.
Mitsubishi has been progressively withdrawing from motorsports. Its works team abandoned the WRC back in 2005, and the company left the Dakar Rally and all rally raid events last year. Mitsubishi is the most successful manufacturer in the Dakar with 12 wins in 26 appearances, including a record seven back-to-back victories from 2001 to 2007 but failed to catch up with diesel engine development pacesetters Volkswagen, which is today’s team to beat in “the world’s toughest race”.
Mitsubishi wraps up deal to supply 100,000 i-MiEVs to PSA Peugeot Citroën
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced the signing of a “Final Cooperative Agreement” with PSA Peugeot Citroën on the supply of its i-MiEV electric car to the French brands. The deal will see the Japanese company supply 100,000 units of the i-MiEV to PSA, which will rebadge the car and market it as the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn. Both cars will be launched in Europe, starting in France, by the end of 2010.
The i-MiEV EV, which is based on Mitsubishi’s i city car, is powered by 88 lithium ion cells connected in a series. Its permanent magnet synchronous motor makes 47 kW or 64 PS and 180 Nm of torque from zero to 2000 rpm. Cruising range is 160 km in the Japanese 10-15 mode. A full charge from a 200V outlet will take about seven hours.
This news comes in the wake of failed discussions for capital alliance between both companies in the style of Renault and Nissan. PSA chief Philippe Varin confirmed that at the Geneva show but also said that both parties will continue talking about expanding business ties – and this is one example of a good tie up. PSA also markets the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV under Peugeot and Citroen brands.
Mitsubishi introduces RVR crossover in Japan
Mitsubishi’s new RVR crossover has been launched in Japan, before the European version, which will be called ASX, gets its premiere at the fast approaching Geneva motor show.
The RVR slots below the Outlander in Mitsubishi’s SUV family and its length, width and height of 4,295 mm, 1,770 mm and 1,615 mm respectively means that the RVR is about the size of the Nissan Qashqai. Interior space should be generous if the long wheelbase of 2,670 mm is anything to go by – in fact, that’s the exact same measurement as big brother Outlander. But unlike the larger SUV, the RVR is a five-seater.
Mitsubishi’s latest is powered by a 1.8-litre MIVEC engine (4B10) which is a variation of the 2.0-litre 4B11 GEMA World Engine that can be found in the Lancer EX. The twin-cam 16-valve unit produces 137 bhp and 172 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, and is mated to a CVT gearbox with six “ratios” swappable by shift paddles. Mitsubishi claims fuel consumption of 15.2 km/l for the 2WD model and 15.0 km/l for the 4WD variant, according to the Japanese 10-15 mode.
Mitsubishi is keen to graft the Lancer’s “shark nose” onto the whole range, and the RVR follows the trend. Its proportions are neat; that and the rear design reminds us a little of the Audi Q5 – no bad thing! The cabin meanwhile features a very simple dashboard, peppered with elements Lancer EX owners would be familiar with. The JDM car pictured also gets a Rockford Fosgate stereo with a large subwoofer in the trunk.
More pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Mitsubishi RVR crossover revealed
Slightly more than a month ago Mitsubishi released a sketch of a new compact crossover, underpinned by the automaker’s mid-size global platform (Project Global). Mitsubishi has now released two images of the new crossover in its production form and has also revealed the the name: Mitsubishi RVR. It is expected to go on sale in Japan starting from February next year and then in Europe after its debut on the continent at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
The RVR will have a 1.8 liter MIVEC unit but the automaker did not mention anything about its capabilities. Design is clearly inspired by the “fighter jet” look seen on the latest Lancer GT and Outlander. The crossover measures about 4,300 mm long which is close to the Toyota RAV4’s 4,395 mm and Peugeot 3008’s 4,365 mm. Continue reading to view two high-res images of the RVR. Read the rest of this entry.
Mitsubishi to introduce an all new compact crossover in 2010
Mitsubishi has announced that it will launch an all new compact crossover in 2010. The new crossover will be based on the 2007 Concept-cX show car and will be underpinned by the automaker’s mid-size global platform (Project Global).
The upcoming vehicle is expected to help shift Mitsubishi from being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars and crossovers. It is expected to feature an all wheel drive configuration as well as a 1.8 liter diesel powerplant (to produce about 130hp). The automaker also announced that the crossover will make its European debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Pictured above is the sketch of the crossover.
Mitsubishi PX-MiEV revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show
Mitsubishi has taken the opportunity to unveil the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. The plug-in hybrid concept features a 116hp 1.6 liter DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine (with 125Nm of torque) that is paired with two electric motors. The motors are positioned on both the axles.
Both these motors can output 82hp and 200Nm of torque. The concept has a Wireless Charging Program that allows the owner to start charging the battery or start the air conditioner at a preset time even when away from the vehicle.
It also comes with features like an electronically-controlled air suspension, Driving Monitor System, an S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) which is configured around an E-4WD (Electronically-powered four-wheel drive) system as well as an E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control) which controls left/right torque split at the rear wheels and the degree of deceleration energy recovery. It can also run solely on EV mode. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Mitsubishi to unveil the i-MiEV Cargo Concept in Tokyo
Apart from showcasing the PX-MiEV Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi will also unveil the i-MiEV Cargo Concept. The 2-seater concept, which has a cargo space at the back, is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that can produce 64HP and 180Nm of pulling power. It measures 3395 mm long, 1475 mm wide, 1860 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2550 mm. It sits on 145/65R15 tires up north while down south it has 175/55R15 tires. More will be revealed soon, meanwhile continue reading to view more high-res images. Read the rest of this entry.
Mitsubishi’s PX-MiEV Plug-In Hybrid Concept revealed
Japanese auto maker Mitsubishi has revealed a brand new concept called the PX-MiEV, which is a plug-in hybrid concept. The drivetrain system features a 116HP 1.6 liter DOHC MIVEC gasoline engine (with 125Nm of torque) that is linked to two electric motors (one for each axle, and both output 82HP and 200Nm of torque). As the name suggests, you can also recharge the battery pack, via a 100-volt or a 200-volt domestic supply or a high-power quick-charging station. The system also incorporates a Wireless Charging Program feature that allows the owner to start charging the battery or start the air conditioner at a preset time even when away from the vehicle.
It can also run on EV mode at low to middle vehicle speeds. In EV mode, only the front motor is used. When the vehicle detects that it is in low surface friction situations, it will turn on the rear electric motor, turning it into an all wheel drive vehicle. The rear motor will also turn on if the sensors detect any front wheel slip. Once power is depleted, the car will run on the combustion engine, which will help recharge the battery pack. The concept is also fitted with brake energy regeneration. The rear motor will also be activated in this mode, depending on driving conditions.
Other features include an electronically-controlled air suspension (Auto, High and Low modes), a camera mounted facing the driver that monitors eye movements to determine their level of alertness (Driving Monitor System, and will issue audible, visual, vibrational warnings and will also emit a distinctive fragrance to alert the drive, if a low level of alertness is detected) and an S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) which is configured around an E-4WD (Electronically-powered four-wheel drive) system that controls front and rear motor output to deliver the optimum front/rear drive torque split.
There is also an E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control), which controls left/right torque split at the rear wheels and the degree of deceleration energy recovery. The concept will be presented at the Tokyo Motor Show, meanwhile, continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
