Mitsubishi Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

August 25, 2008

Mitsubishi diesel "Racing Lancer"

Rally Lancer 555.jpg

Looking like a mutant Ralliart Sportback, this Mitsubishi rally racer, simply called the "Racing Lancer," has enough torque to rotate this planet a few degrees, as in 640 lb.-ft. Horsepower? How's 260 grab you?

The Racing Lancer will make its official debut in round six of the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup in Portugal October 30-November 2. It likely will also see action in the 2009 Dakar Rally.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Apocalyptic Mitsubishi "Racing Lancer" Preps for Official Debut

Permalink | Comments (2)
Posted by: Bob Holland August 25, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Mitsubishi, Motorsports

August 1, 2008

2009 Mitsubishi Ralliart to start at $27,165

2009.lancer.ralliart.260.jpg Anybody notice that on the same day that Subaru announced their updated '09 WRX, that Mitsubishi announced prices on their WRX-fighter, the '09 Ralliart? Think maybe that the Mitsu-Gang was trying to let a little air out of the WRX balloon?

Now it should come as no surprise to long-time readers here that I favor the WRX over the Ralliart, but I have to admit that the Mitsubishi has several items on their standard and/or option list that I really wish Subaru offered as well. They are:

• The Mitsubishi comes standard with a very trick Twin Clutch-Sportronic¨ Shift Transmission (TC-SST). Frankly, my preference is that this were optional and not standard, as I'm a dedicated 3-pedal devotee. Still, it's great to have this on the check list.

• The Ralliart offers an optional ($2,750) Recaro seat package which bundles a high-intensity-discharge headlights, a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate Punch premium sound system with nine speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer, Sirius Satellite Radio with six months of service and a six-CD/MP3 in-dash head unit.

• It also has a 40 GB hard drive too for storing music. This may be packaged with the above item, or is part of the navigation package? Regardless, I like the idea of having a multi-gigabyte hard drive.

So Subaru, as great as the new WRX upgrade is, here are a few holes that still need to be filled.

Here's Inside Line's take: Mitsubishi Announces Pricing on 2009 Lancer Ralliart

Permalink | Comments (14)
Posted by: Bob Holland August 1, 2008, 7:18 AM
Categories: Mitsubishi, Subaru

July 30, 2008

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback X

I guess better late than never, as it looks like Mitsubishi will be offering a "lifted" Lancer Sportback X that would compete with both the Subaru Outback and Outback Sport.

The image above is pure speculation, but probably gives a pretty good indication as to what this vehicle could look like. No word on mechanical changes other than the rumored lifted suspension. It would be pretty cool if they offered it with the turbo from the Ralliart (or EVO).

Carscoop is reporting the car will be released internationally sometime in 2010.

Full story here.

Permalink | Comments (4)
Posted by: Bob Holland July 30, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: Hatchbacks, Mitsubishi, Subaru

July 22, 2008

Subaru UK announces three special WRXs at British Auto Show

UK WRX1 555.jpg

UK WRX2 555.jpg

The UK is getting two--possibly three--special edition WRXs, which no doubt are meant to counter any upcoming Mitsubishi EVO challenges. They are a 252 ps WRX-S, a 325ps WRX STI 330S, and finally a 375ps WRX STI 380S concept.

Of most interest to American Subie fans is the UK-spec WRX-S (pictured above), as that could well hint at what we might see in the US-spec 2009 WRX. The car mirrors most if not all the items mentioned in recent rumors such as in a more powerful 2.5 engine and a tweaked suspension and aero kit. It also has some STI visual styling cues, such as the STI grille and painted out (former chrome) panel on the rear hatch. One thing I don't expect to see is the 18" wheels and tires seen here. The U.S. model will be getting upgraded rubber and grayed out wheels, but will remain 17" units.

Subaru of America is supposed to announce the 2009 Imprezas in about a week, so it won't be long before we know the whole deal.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 British Auto Show: Subaru Impreza WRX STI 380S

Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted by: Bob Holland July 22, 2008, 7:36 AM
Categories: All Auto Shows, Mitsubishi, Sports Cars, Subaru

July 18, 2008

New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport not for USA

New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, which will debut at the Moscow Motor Show late this August, is not coming to the USA. That's a shame. Yeah, I know, there's a limited market here for any "true" SUV these days. Nevertheless, I still think this would be a good addition to the Mitsubishi U.S. product portfolio.

So this 5- or 7-passenger SUV will be sold where these types of vehicles are appreciated and will be used as intended. For those lucky markets who will get this vehicle (Russia, the Middle East, Latin America and Oceania), one can expect two diesel engine choices, 2.5L and 3.2L, as well as a 3.5L V6 gas engine choice. It also comes with Mitsubishi's excellent Super Select 4WD which can be used on any surface.

Full story here.

Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted by: Bob Holland July 18, 2008, 4:00 AM
Categories: All Auto Shows, Mitsubishi, SUVs

June 12, 2008

Paris Show Preview: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

The production version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will debut at the Paris auto show this September. The pixs above show both the base Lancer and the Ralliart version. The Ralliart will go head-to-head with the WRX, as it will be turbocharged and have AWD.

No word as to whether the EVO will get the Sportback model...

E-mail the Editor in Chief

Mitsubishi