Electric cars from Mitsubishi are getting a test run in the United States. The automaker has signed a deal with two California utility companies to begin testing the i MiEV, an electric car based on the “i” mini cars Mitsubishi sells in Japan. Tests will start late this year.

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According to Japanese sources, Mitsubishi is readying a crossover version of its new Lancer Sportback model that’s expected to hit international markets by early 2010. As you can see in this computer generated image that was scanned from an unnamed Japanese car magazine by one of our readers, the Lancer Sportback X features a slightly raised suspension for better ground clearance and a protective body cladding combined with new alloy wheels and a different front grille.

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Mitsubishi has released details about its second major debut planned for August’s Moscow Auto Salon, the all-new Pajero Sport seven-seater SUV. Joining the Pajero Sport will be the Racing Lancer rally vehicle, which Mitsubishi plans to use in the 2009 Dakar rally.

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Mitsubishi Introduces new ‘Racing Lancer’ (MRX09) for the 2009 Dakar

Tokyo, July 16, 2008- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has developed a new competition car, the Racing Lancer, whose mission will be to target victory on next year’s Dakar which breaks new ground in 2009 with a switch from Africa to South America. For Mitsubishi Motors, not only does the Dakar serve as a platform for the sales and marketing of the Pajero/Montero but it also provides a unique proving ground for powertrains and 4WD transmission systems. In light of the corporate decision to focus the firm’s cross-country rallying activities on the development of a new diesel engine, Mitsubishi Motors sees it as a natural step for the Lancer (known in Japan as Gallant Fortis), a commercially and globally important model powered by the diesel powerplant, to take over the competition baton from the Pajero/Montero and the Pajero/Montero Evolution. The technological expertise accumulated thanks to the firm’s cross-country rally program - which includes the Dakar - will be applied to its diesel engine development, including the new-generation clean diesel that will power the future production cars. Meanwhile, as was previously the case, the 4WD systems technology will also be carried over to the production versions after their configuration has been optimized as a function of their end-use.

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The car, as you can see above, is a Mitsubishi i MiEV, and the delivery of the unit to the police department for testing appears to mark the first such use of an i MiEV by a Japanese organization other than a power company. Kanagawa Five-O will evaluate the car through March of 2009, and Mitsubishi will regularly collect test data for further analysis.

Mitsubishi has today confirmed that the Concept-cX from last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show will enter production as a new compact crossover model designed to sit under the current Outlander. The new model will feature a constant AWD system and will be the showcase Mitsubishi’s environmental awareness by debuting a family of Euro-5 clean diesel engines.

continue reading "Mitsubishi confirms Concept CX links to smaller Outlander"