Since then, Mitsubishi has faced some troubles in the United States, but it is now re-energizing the brand. New model introductions have had mixed success, with the Outlander and Eclipse showing growth over 2005 but the Endeavor SUV failing to meet expectations. A new Lancer compact car is to debut in 2007, and the company is seeking new export markets for a redesigned Galant.

Mitsubishi 500, a mass-market sedan, it followed this with the Minica kei car in 1962, and the Colt 1000 - the first Colt - a year after that. Meanwhile, West Japan Heavy-Industries (which was renamed Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering) and East Japan Heavy-Industries (renamed to Mitsubishi Nihon Heavy-Industries) had also expanded their automotive departments, and in 1964 the three were reunited as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Within three years the new MHI’s output was over 75,000 vehicles per year, and, with the successful release of the 1969 Galant, and similar growth in its commercial vehicle division, it formed Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, on April 22nd, 1970. In 1981, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) was formed after tensions arose with MMC’s American import partner, the Chrysler Corporation over the international subcompact market.

By the 1960s, with a greatly improving Japanese economy, Central Japan Heavy-Industries, which had changed its name to Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, had already re-started their automotive department, and was ready to release the Mitsubishi 500, a mass-market sedan, it followed this with the Minica kei car in 1962, and the Colt 1000 - the first Colt - a year after that. Meanwhile, West Japan Heavy-Industries (which was renamed Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering) and East Japan Heavy-Industries (renamed to Mitsubishi Nihon Heavy-Industries) had also expanded their automotive departments, and in 1964 the three were reunited as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The Model A was a hand-built seven-seat sedan based on Fiat’s Tipo 3. It turned out to be too expensive, when compared to American and European mass-produced rivals, and was discontinued after only 22 cars had been produced, in 1921.

Thirteen years later, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding merged with Mitsubishi Aircraft, a company that had been formed in 1920 to construct aircraft engines. The new company was called Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and it was the largest privately-held company in Japan. It concentrated mostly only aircraft, ships, and railroad cars, but in 1937 it introduced the prototype sedan PX33, which was designed for military use. It was also the first Japanese-built passenger car with full-time four-wheel drive.

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.

The new Outlander 2.0 DI-D SE and GSE are the latest arrivals in Mitsubishi’s UK line-up. Both variants are fitted with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel that produces 138 horsepower. The SE is priced from £19,999 and comes equipped with 18-inch alloys, Bluetooth, cruise control, privacy glass, side and curtain airbags, and a third row of seats while the more luxurious GSE adds leather seats and a rear ceiling mounted DVD player, for an additional cost of £1,500.

The GS editions have an MSRP of $25,389 and $26,289 respectively with the GTs going for $28,269 and $29,169. The GS Spyders are outfitted with a 162 hp, 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder MIVEC engine and the GTs have a 260 hp, 3.8 liter, 24-valve V6 version of the same engine. Estimated fuel consumption on the GS is 22 city, 29 highway on the manual transmission and 22/28 on the automatic. The GT manual returns 17/26 and the automatic 18/26. All models have a 17.7 gallon fuel tank.

While it’s clear that the Eclipse Spyder is related to the Eclipse coupe, it’s soft top, which retracts to a folded position under a tonneau cover, makes it clear that this is a car with an identity all its own. Both models have a six-way adjustable drivers seat with lumbar support (eight-way available) and a four-way adjustable passenger seat. Safety measures include three-point safety belts for all occupants, and a total of four airbags - there are no side-curtain airbags, however, as they are generally mounted in a part of the doorframe that doesn’t exist in a ragtop. The instrument panel is derivative of a motorcycle’s gauges, and while the back seat folds down in a 50/50 split, it doesn’t really hold normal-sized adults with any kind of comfort.

Both the GS and the GT versions of the 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder have a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate 6 CD/MP3 audio system with nine speakers, an 8″ subwoofer, and digital sound processing with automatic compensation for driving speed and soft-top position.

Although it was similar to the coupe version of the Eclipse, the Spyder was a fun, sexy convertible. The 1996 ragtop was originally equipped with a 2.4 liter inline 4 cylinder rated at 141 horsepower. It had a well insulated power operated top, heated glass rear window and a sporty style that immediately caught the eye.

Between the 1997 and 2000 model years the Spyder was appropriately upgraded with more advanced engineering, technological and design enhancements. Rear spoilers and distinctive fog lamps were a few of the features that were added over the years to enhance its visually athletic appeal.

There was no new model for the 2000 model year, but in 2001 it returned with a revised body style and new interior. Two models were available, the GS which was powered by a 2.4 liter inline 4 with horsepower increased to 147, or the GT which had a 3.0 liter V6 under the hood putting out 200 horsepower. The 2002 model year was basically indifferent from the previous year, with the exception of a few cosmetic additions and a few new exterior colors. Despite the impracticality of a convertible, the availability of affordable convertible sports cars of this quality was limited, and the Eclipse continued to sell well.

In 2003, a new version of the Spyder joined the lineup - the GTS. The GTS had the same distinctive styling and new exterior light clusters in both the front and the rear as well as a new front fascia, convenient power operated convertible top and a 3.0 liter V6 boasting 210 horsepower. 2004 and 2005 were rather uneventful years in terms of changes, and there was no Eclipse Spyder manufactured for the 2006 model year. However, for the 2007 model year the Spyder rides again.

The 2007 GT, GS and GTS are all equipped with 17 inch, five spoke alloy wheels, rear spoiler and an outstanding CD/MP3 compatible sound system featuring nine speakers and steering wheel mounted controls. A front strut brace enhances the handling while safety features such as front and side airbags, anti lock brakes and an anti theft system increase security. Almost all interior and exterior materials were upgraded to a higher quality and exhumed a level of luxury to add to the fun of driving this sensationally attractive convertible. With the strongest powertrain this ragtop has ever seen, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is an affordable and fun car to drive that inspires feelings of wanting to take the day off from work and go driving on a hot summer day with the top down and the wind rushing through your hair.

2008 model year after a one year interim. Based on the same platform as the similarly redesigned Mitsubishi Lancer, the Evolution adds high performance and pizzazz with a more powerful turbocharged engine, a sport tuned suspension, a technologically advanced all wheel drive system, exceptionally responsive steering and a long list of standard features.

The high performance Evolution is available in GSR and MR trims. Standard features for the GSR include 18 inch alloy wheels, a selection of keyless, powered and leather trimmed features, heavily bolstered bucket seats and a 6 speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. The MR adds ultra-light alloy wheels, a more refined suspension. The MR is similarly well equipped, but upgrades the rims to alloy, HID xenon headlamps, a larger rear spoiler, Bluetooth capability and steering wheel mounted audio controls. Options are typically grouped into bundled packages that include the MR Technology Package which includes keyless, navigation, and premium audio systems.

Providing power to the 2008 Lancer Evolution is a turbocharged 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine that produces 291 horsepower. Power is sent to all 4 wheels via a 5 speed manual transmission on the GSR trim, while the MR comes with a new 6 speed automatic transmission with manual paddle shifters. EPA estimates for the Lancer Evolution MR come in at 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

The interior of the 2008 Lancer Evolution is very similar to the regular Lancer lineup and not nearly as sport oriented as its muscular exterior might indicate, with nice Recaro sport bucket seats, a handsome steering wheel and a slightly more exciting looking instrument panel being the only real interior differences between the Evolution and its lower priced and less powerful Lancer siblings. However, the all wheel drive system is impressive and overall the ‘Evo’ is fun to drive and economically priced for a sport sedan at about $35,000.

More commonly referred to as the “Evo,” it was originally only available to consumers in Japan, but this four-wheel drive offering did eventually make it to buyers in Europe and the United Kingdom.

The Evolution has won a number of awards since it was originally introduced to the market. The kudos started in 2004 and 2005, when the Lancer was declared the Sports Car of the Year in France and Scotland. Compact Car Magazine declared the Evolution as its pick for the Sport Compact Car of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Motor Magazine chose the Mitsubishi Lancer as the Best Bang for Your Bucks in Australia. With its 2 liter, turbocharged engine, it was declared the Best Aggressive Sports Sedan by ConsumerSearch in 2006.

Rather than assigning model names to the Evolution, each of the 10 versions released is known by a Roman numeral, I-X. When Evolution I hit the market in 1992, it was for the purpose of competing in the World Rally Championship. Equipped with a 244 hp engine and all wheel drive, 5,000 units were sold from 1992-1993.

The next version of the Evolution had a more powerful engine, and by the time Evolution III was introduced in January of 1995, it had new rear corners and side skirts, a redesigned nose, and a new exhaust system. By the time the Lancer was updated in 1996, it was a very popular vehicle with buyers around the world. Not only were the engine and the transaxle repositioned to achieve a better balance of the weight of the vehicle, but large fog lights were installed on the front bumper. The tail lights were updated in this new, heavier version of the Evolution.

With each version of the Mitsubishi Lancer that hit the market, it was changed somewhat, and by the time version VII was introduced, it was outfitted with an automatic drive train. This version had an open engine compartment, which meant a tradeoff between less air resistance and less efficient cooling capabilities.

Fast forward to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, which was first presented to the world in 2005 at the 39th annual Tokyo Motor Show. This sedan is outfitted with 4-cylinder engine and a semi-automatic 6-speed transmission. Japanese buyers were the first to be able to actually get behind the wheel of this model in October of 2007, while consumers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom had to wait until 2008 to drive one off the lot.

Newer Posts »