Aussie Car News » Mitsubishi http://www.motordude.com The latest car and auto news from Australia and the rest of the world Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:39:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Mitsubishi announce the Lancer Aspire http://www.motordude.com/mitsubishi-announce-the-lancer-aspire/ http://www.motordude.com/mitsubishi-announce-the-lancer-aspire/#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:39:46 +0000 Motor Dude http://www.motordude.com/?p=419

Mitsubishi’s the Lancer sedan has received a series of updates across all model variants, including the entry level ES, mid-range VR and sporty VRX sedan, as part of the company’s 2009 model year line-up. Most importantly, Mitsubishi have announced a major upgrade to the Lancer range's top range, with the announcement of the Aspire, an all new 2.4 litre premium Lancer variant.

Clearly aimed at the 'aspirational' market, the Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire includes a range of internal and external upgrades, with Mitsubishi targeting those customers looking to down size from larger passenger cars without losing any of the performance or 'prestige' that they've grown accustomed to.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire's 2.4 litre MIVEC four cylinder engine generates 125 kW @ 6,000 rpm and 226 Nm @ 4,100 rpm. For those after improved fuel economy the most important statistic is the fuel consumption figures, with the Aspire returning a frugal 8.5-litres per 100km.

Mitsubishi are obviously quite happy with the performance of the Aspire's 2.4 litre engine, as they have opted to apply the new engine to the sporty Lancer VRX.

In addition to the new engine, Lancer VRX variants receive an enhanced sound insulation package and a premium console for the interior.

The Lancer range is quickly becoming the Mitsubishi flag ship model, with the Lancer Sportback hatch not all that far away, and the Lancer Ralliart sedan and hatch not far behind either.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Aspire is expected to be priced from $33,990, while the Mitsubishi Lancer VRX is expected to start at $29,790.

]]> http://www.motordude.com/mitsubishi-announce-the-lancer-aspire/feed/ 0 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sees Australian release http://www.motordude.com/mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-sees-australian-release/ http://www.motordude.com/mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-sees-australian-release/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:53:55 +0000 Motor Dude http://www.motordude.com/?p=389 It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. So to celebrate the release of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in Australia, here's a a few pictures and quotable quotes from Mitsubishi's Hideyuki Iwata.

Hideyuki Iwata (Project Manager / C-seg Product Development Projects / Product Development Group Headquarters), speaks about the planning and design of the Lancer Evolution X.

“Lancer Evolution just keeps on evolving. The latest Evolution is the tenth iteration in the series and I would like to briefly describe the evolutionary steps it has taken. Firstly, while the major advances made by previous Evolutions were mostly of a technological and engineering nature, Evolution X has leapt forward in the design field too.

“Working in close cooperation with the designers who created a final shape that has aerodynamic technology built in. There is a purpose to every shape and I believe that Evolution X’s functionally appealing design makes those reasons plain to see.

“Secondly, we have the advances seen in Evolution X in terms of automotive technology. We gave much thought to what was necessary to realise further advances in Evolution’s road performance qualities: speed and acceleration, cornering, handling and braking. The answer: go back to the basics. Our focus in this process was not on absolute speed or acceleration but rather on-demand, feel-good acceleration. As a result Evolution X allows seamless acceleration with the flat torque generated from low engine speeds transmitted through, a new automated manual transmission, the Twin Clutch SST.

“In terms of cornering and handling, our focus was on achieving safe directional performance where the vehicle turns precisely in the direction it is steered regardless of the road surface and without relying solely on the degree of lateral acceleration.

“After improving cornering performance, we beefed up the performance of the AYC system, which helps to alleviate tyre scrub, and also developed a new Active Stability Control (ASC) system that constantly monitors and operates to stabilise vehicle body attitude. Operation of the AYC and ASC components is integrally managed with that of the well-proven ACD and ABS components to realise a significant and evolutionary leap forward in vehicle behaviour control. Also, both body and suspension specifications have been upgraded to provide the greater stiffness needed to maintain maximum tyre-surface contact under all circumstances.

“Our last thrust in this area was directed at improving the car’s stopping ability. We focused on ensuring that the brakes provide even more consistent and predictable stopping power under all circumstances. Using technology and know-how fed back from our motorsport activities, we have produced a braking system that provides highly consistent and predictable stopping power.”

]]> http://www.motordude.com/mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-sees-australian-release/feed/ 0