So, by now you have probably heard that Mitsubishi is planning to reveal 3 new concept CUV/SUV's this year. We have a bit more information now. It appears that these 3 will feature heavily modified/revised platforms if not all new. But that really isn't the biggest news...

One of the concept trio, the Concept Active Runabout or Concept AR, will be a compact MPV that will showcase a new engine. While details are still slim, we do know that this drivetrain will feature TURBO and DIRECT INJECTION technologies. Displacement, gearboxes, and driven wheels are all unknown, but the engine could be the precursor to a production turbo engine that, knowing Mitsu, would spread over a range of products. Because these products embrace Mitsubishi's new stance on "Drive @ Earth", there should be an efficiency jump over the current 2.0T engines that are used in the Evo/Ralliart products.

No word on whether the Concept AR, or the Concept Cross Runner Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or XR-PHEV, will eventually morph into the production version of a Outlander Sport (both concepts are said to be compact and multi-purpose vehicles), but the news of an efficient turbo engine should come as a relief to those who feel the current Outlander Sport could use more power and an efficiency boost. No official word on when the next gen OS makes a debut, but 2015 seems to be a year that Mitsubishi loves to throw out for next-gen products and places the current gen car at the industry average of a 5-year life cycle (The current car went on sale globally in 2010).



On another note: Mitsubishi may be hiding a surprise reveal of a production-ready global sedan. Some sources, mainly Top Speed, says that the CEO of MMC has leaked a return of the Galant Sedan to its global portfolio in 2015. Some industry experts are running around saying that Mitsubishi may be cooking up this surprise to showcase either the next gen Lancer sedan or the Galant sedan. The Lancer is said to be redesigned in, you guessed it, 2015 for the 2016 MY. The same has been said for the next gen Galant.

2015 is shaping up to be a big year for Mitsubishi...

The Tokyo Auto Show begins November 22nd, so stay tuned

 

You had me at "turbo"...

 

The Galant coming back would be a welcomed Renewal

 

Hmm.. cute I guess.
But, I rather see what's under the hood!

 

I like the middle one a helluva lot more than I do the 2014 Outlander.

Kinda reminds me of a Range Rover Evoque...

 

As long as they keep the 8.5" of ground clearance or more!

 

The one in the middle has a 3.0L Supercharged V6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission with a plug-in hybrid setup. The ones one the left and right have a 1.1L GDI Turbo engine (no indication of 3 or 4 cylinder layout), the one on the left has a mild hybrid system and the one on the right is also a plug in hybrid layout.

 

You yanking my chain..?


This I can accept.
I'll state it here now though, make it a 4banger!


I know Volvo's always had their funky 5-cylinder jobs and BMW is now playing with their lopsided 3-cylinder mighty mouse motors...
But, I'm Definitely NOT a fan of Odd-number cylinder engines.
Keep those on lawnmowers, please.


Test drove one of those... Meh, they have good styling, but very poor visibility and for the base/"Pure" model to start at $41,000-ish using the Ford EcoBoost 4cyl. We were not impressed.

 

No...

MITSUBISHI MOTORS LINEUP AT THE 2013 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will unveil three world premiere concept cars at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013 on November 20. Incorporating a new design that symbolizes the functionality and reassuring safety inherent to SUVs, the three concepts take as their theme MMC's @earth TECHNOLOGY*1 and point to the direction MMC's development and manufacturing will take in the near future.

The MITSUBISHI Concept GC-PHEV is a next-generation full-size SUV with full-time 4WD. It is based on a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) system comprising a 3.0-liter V6 supercharged MIVEC engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a high-output motor and a high-capacity battery to deliver all-terrain performance truly worthy of an all-round SUV.

The MITSUBISHI Concept XR-PHEV is a next-generation compact SUV developed to take driving pleasure to new levels. The MITSUBISHI Concept XR-PHEV uses a front engine, front-wheel drive layout PHEV system that is configured with a downsized 1.1-liter direct-injection turbocharged MIVEC engine and a lightweight, compact and high-efficiency motor with a high-capacity battery.

These two concepts feature PHEV systems optimally tailored to different market and segment requirements.

The MITSUBISHI Concept AR is a next-generation compact MPV which combines SUV maneuverability with MPV roominess. It uses a lightweight mild hybrid system which includes a downsized 1.1-liter direct-injection turbocharged MIVEC engine.

All three concepts feature MMC's latest "e-Assist"*2 active safety technologies and the advanced "connected car" technology that utilizes next-generation information systems. These functions include a danger detection system which activates the corresponding safety functions and a failure/malfunction early-detection system which urges the driver to seek repairs or other maintenance when necessary.

Including the three concept models, MMC will be displaying a total of 17 models (13 on press days) at its booth at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013. Joining the concepts will be the new eK Space "super height wagon" minicar due for launch in Japan at the beginning of next year, motorsport vehicles and some current production models.

For more information on the three Mitsubishi Motors concept cars that will premiere at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, please log on to Tokyo-motorshow.com/en/.




Why not?

 

Ok, THAT is something to look forward to.




Why not?
You mean why not have odd number cylinders...?
Well, I suppose if it's a 3.2L 9-cylinder beast, than that's ok.

But, for a 3-cylinder in the 1.1L range, I can only imagine more of a need for "balancing" to counter the vibrations AND having more of a delay/lag Than the one we are experiencing from our current 2.0L 4banger - between the time our right foot depresses the peddle to actually having our vehicle get-up&go.

-Especially if Mitsu sticks us with the same CVT (with their current lame duck software profiles.)


I'm just speaking my mind here-
And, It's based on the fact that I like the 4B11 motors with their large and well established user/experience base. Plus, I know I can count on finding performance and replacement parts for this motor when the need arises.

I would hope Mitsu is not going the route of 'giving us a "better" engine' by making it even more complicated with their hybrid 3cylinder gas+electric+battery midget frankensteins. Who's asking for these??

Why couldn't JUST give us more of the tried & true direct-injection turbocharged MIVEC in the current standard 2.0L 4cyl. size?

 

Yes, they do need balancing and there are some neat tricks for this. Ford provided much much information on its 1.0L EcoBoost and its trick flywheel (which is purposely unbalanced and eliminates the use of balance shafts) and BMW wouldnt stop talking about its 3-cylinder turbo about how it feels and sounds just like its 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder. And all publications go on about how they feel like a normal 4-cylinder engine. They are turbo engines, so low end torque would be immediate and because they are light and feature less rotating mass response would be quicker than an N/A 4-cylinder. Of course, no one has driven these CONCEPTS with this drivetrain, but Ford and BMWs FI 3-cylinders are getting glowing reviews and their trick hardware for reducing NVH is something worth reading up on, if you're interested in engines.

But this is all hard to say for now as Mitsubishi hasn't even said anything about this engine. Again, it all comes down to how the manufacturer designs its engine. The 3A92 in the Mirage isn't harsh as far as vibrations, but it doesn't make pleasing noises at certain points in the rev band.