Mitsubishi At the 2008 New York International Auto Show

At the 2008 New York International Auto Show, Mitsubishi revealed it is looking to the U.S. market as a possible fit for the company’s tiny 4-passenger car, the i. And if there’s a place for the diminutive car on U.S. roads, then perhaps there might also be a market for an electric version.

Mitsubishi i-MIEV Photo: Sean Frego

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Mitsubishi i-MIEV Photo: Rod Hatfield

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Mitsubishi i-MIEV Photo: Sean Frego

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Mitsubishi i Car Photo: Rod Hatfield

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Mitsubishi also featured this sporty version of the electric i-MIEV on their display in New York. Photo: Sean Frego

Already sold in Japan where it has gained considerable popularity, the i-car is about 10 inches shorter than a MINI Cooper but makes excellent use of available space. Four adult passengers fit easily in the i-car, while still allowing for a bit of cargo — although only a grocery bag or two. Headroom is quite plentiful due to the i-car’s shape.
The shape is even possible in this small of a package because the engine sits below the floor and just forward of the rear axle. This allowed designers to give the rear-wheel-drive i-car a larger passenger compartment while putting the wheels at the corners.
The other advantage to this rear-mid engine layout: converting to an electric version of the i-car does not require any major structural changes. So Mitsubishi replaced the gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries stored under the floor. This new version of the i-car is called the i-MIEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle).
An even more interesting advantage when converting the i-car into the i-MIEV: With the batteries in the floor, the center of gravity is lowered so much the electric version actually handles better than its gas-powered sibling.
Mitsubishi plans to put the i-MIEV on sale in Japan late next year, but to get an early indication of the viability of this car in America, the company brought a few cars to the New York show. MSN Autos’ editors got the chance to take this little car for a spin around Manhattan and found the car would probably feel right at home zipping and lunging between the taxicabs of the Big Apple.

Hindustan - Mitsubishi launches Outlander

Hindustan - Mitsubishi today launched a new SUV called Outlander in India. Positioned in the premium SUV segment, the outlander will compete with Honda CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva. “We have launched the Outlander in India in keeping with the policy of offering the latest from the Mitsubishi stable to the Indian customers,” Hindustan Motors Chairman C K Birla said.

Developed on the latest lancer platform this crossover is meant to run on tarmac. However, Outlander comes with a four wheel drive option. Outlander’s front Mac-pherson strut and rear multi link suspension offers confident handling on city streets and country trails.The 215mm ground clearance will help you to glide over any obstacles. The 2.4L MIVEC engine powered Outlander is available with six speed manual or CVT with six speed paddle shift. But there will be no diesel option. Though the Outlander launched in India is a five seater, the flexible seating arrangement will help you to carry a lot while touring. The low-floor height design and other elements in Outlander’s high-efficiency packaging realize a luggage compartment VDA volume of between 774 and 882 liters, depending on the second row seat slide position, with five passengers on board. Moreover, with the second row seats tumbled forward, VDA volume increases to a cavernous 1,691 liters The list of safety features Outlander boasts inlcudes - ABS with EBD, dual airbags and engine immoblizer. Available in six colours - river blue,silver dew,cascade white,sunrise yellow,pasture green,new moon black and twilight red Outlander comes in variants. Outlander is priced at Rs 20.2 lakh (ex-showroom).

A prominent auto magazine in a report on the Mitsubishi Outlander said that the company is likely to fix a price tag of less than Rs 20 lakh in its bid to steal market share from Honda CR-V. The report said that it is most likely that Hindustan Motors would locally assemble the Mitsubishi Outlander at its Thiruvallur plant in Tamil Nadu. This in fact explains the less that Rs 20 lakh tag as locally-assembled cars pay less tax than imported cars.

• 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine
• Rs 20 lakhs (estimated)
• Six speed manual, CVT and paddle-shift auto

Hindustan Motors is likely to offer the Mitsubishi Outlander with a 2.4-litre four-pot petrol engine, while transmission options include a six-speed manual and a stepless CVT with six pre-selected ratios which can be controlled via paddles on the steering wheel, which is expected to be more efficient than a conventional automatic.

Pictorial Preview on Mitsubishi Outlander

Similar to its japanese parent, Mitsubishi India is not in good shape and yet to make its presence felt even after flying around here for many years. While one of its Japanese peer is owning more than 50% of market the other (Honda) is aggressively expanding its market share. But still a much needed small car from Mitsubishi will take atleast two years to come true. Before that much important launch Mitsubishi wishes to build its lost image and find a niche segment for itself. After gaining decent amount of hearts with dakar rally winners Montero and Pajero Mitsubishi plans to go soft with the Outlander. Outlander is a first softroader from HM-Mitsubishi in the lines of Honda’s CR-Vand Chevrolet Captiva. But unlike its competetiors Outlander will be locally assembled and Mitsubishi - Hindustan hopes the cost advantage will give its an edge over the others.

Hindustan - Mitsubishi Outlander: As typical of any softroader this Mitsu has a long bonnet, rakish windscreen and curved roof. To claim it as a SUV and not a car there are bits of rugged skid plate all over the Outlander. The two slatted grille with the central mounted Mitusbishi logo sharp edged headlamps gives a bold look at the front. The roofline which peaks over the driver’s head and slopes towards the rear evokes athletic style of a sedan. What’s cool about this outlander is its tail section - the LED tail lights and distinct rear windscreen gives a distinctive look for the outlander.

Hindustan - Mitsubishi Outlander: uses an enhanced global engine (truly global) developed jointly with Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler. The engine is currently servicing in Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Kia Spectra and well known Hyundai Sonata Embera. Mitsubishi’s spruced up 2.4-liter MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system) engine churns out 170bhp of max power and 230Nm of max torque at 4100 rpm. Mitsubishi will offer a five speed manual and a “Sport Mode” paddle-shift-actuated 6-speed CVT. However there will not be any diesel option.

Hindustan - Mitsubishi Outlander: Though its meant run on tarmac, Mitsubishi’s electronically controlled 4WD system will continuously optimize front and rear wheel torque depending on road conditions. It includes three dial-activated drive modes - 2WD, 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK. MacPherson strut front and trailing arm multilink suspension with mono-tube rear shock absorbers with a new technology for better stability sourced from Lancer evolution would be part of the Outlander package.

Hindustan - Mitsubishi Outlander: The seven seater Outlander will become a five seater and get a spare wheel when comes to India. As the tail gate is built into the bumper, a small section of the hatch flip outwards to facilitate faster loading of cargo, similar to what we seen in BMW X5.

Hindustan - Mitsubishi Outlander: will be out in first week of October and expected to be priced between Rs18 - Rs20 lakhs (as the Outlander will be assembled at Hindustan Motors Chennai plant). Hindustan Outlander will compete with Honda’s CR-V and Chevrolet Captiva.