Whether or not you’re stirred by Hyundai’s new Genesis sedan, or more probably the rear-drive Genesis Coupe, it hard to argue that the company hasn’t made massive strides in a relatively short period of time.
While holding court with a group of journalists at a lunch in Namyang, South Korea, Hyundai President of Research and Development, Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, reflected on the company’s origins and its future. Lee pointed out that when Hyundai was young it relied on Mitsubishi to supply it with basic four-cylinder powerplants for its vehicles. These days however, the Korean automaker actually supplies engine technology for the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter units of both Mitsubishi and Chrysler, building around 1.7 million such in 2007.
Interestingly Lee also told a story about a meeting with Dr. Dieter Zetsche of Mercedes-Benz, at this year’s Beijing Auto Show.Zetsche had announced that he would like the prestigious three-pointed star to partner with Hyundai for four-cylinder engines. Reflecting Lee said, “I am not sure we want to share our technology.” And the world turns.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
While not an instant favorite, Mitsubishi’s Galant Ralliart did find its way into the hearts of WINDING ROAD staffers over time. While proving itself to be a bit of a surprise in terms of overall ability, there were still some things we thought needed working on in the Mitsubishi sedan.
Click through the jump below to read some of our driving impressions.
Mitsubishi of Japan has been working on its own aircraft project, the MRJ regional airliner which will be the first “made in Japan” passenger aircraft in 30 years. The Mainichi Daily News is reporting that Toyota is planning to invest nearly $100 million into the Mitsubishi project. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has already announced several Japanese and American companies which will supply parts for the project.
The airliner is scheduled to enter regional service in Japan, China, and North America starting in 2012. Of course anyone with a passing knowledge of history will know that this is far from Mitsubishi’s first experience with aviation. The Mitsubishi “Zero” fighter from World War II is legendary among aviation and history buffs all around the world.
Make no mistake - this Mitsubishi Prototype S is no production Lancer wagon - but it’s darn near close. Unveiled this morning at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the S is the closest thing we’ve seen yet to a real-life Lancer Evolution five-door.
In fact, we’d argue that the only conceptual goodies are the LED/neon lighting used in the head, fog and tail lamps, all of which mirror those used on the Concept-RA. The remainder of the car seems as if it’s ready to roll down a Mitsubishi production line today. The Prototype-S even sports the ungainly fog tail light mounted smack-dab in the center of the rear bumper fascia. It’s not pretty, but it’s not a concession to style - it’s a concession to production reality (at least in Europe).
(Click through to read more about the Prototype S.)
The Lancer will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The Prototype-S will use a turbocharged version of Mitsubishi’s 2.0-liter engine, pushing 240 horsepower. The car will also feature full-time all-wheel drive and an active center differential.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Mitsubishi has released a document today that outlines the company’s plans on a global level for the next couple of years. While the rather long press release contains, we’re sure, many and varied interesting pieces of news, our eyes first strayed to the North America portion of the “Regional Strategies” section. That paragraph reads in part,
The company will also expand sales by, for example, marketing the new model of the Lancer Evolution released in January 2008 and adding a sport hatchback Lancer model hereafter.
Which is great news for those of us who’ve been crossing our fingers for a U.S. version of the tidy Prototype-S concept Mitsubishi is bringing to Geneva next week. Subaru of America may just have a fight on its hands.
(Click through the jump to read the full Mitsubishi press release or on the thumbnails to check out a Prototype-S gallery.)
Though we’ve already seen a fair bit of the upcoming Mitsubishi Prototype-S in front of its official unveiling on March 4 at the Geneva Motor Show, it seems that today the automaker felt the need to let loose with all the official images, and some specifications.
Mitsubishi has confirmed that the Prototype, which is allegedly very close to the upcoming Lancer Sportback Ralliart, will use a turbocharged version of the company’s new 2.0-liter four, capable of 240 horsepower. The car will also employ Mitsu’s twin-clutch SST automated manual transmission, full-time four-wheel-drive, and an active center differential that can modulate front and rear torque as the situation demands.
Browse our expanded Prototype-S gallery with high resolution images below, or click through the jump to read Mitsubishi’s short press release about its stand at the 2008 Geneva show.
The concept sportback, which is said to foreshadow the production version of the Lancer five-door headed to the European market, looks almost as if it could be ready for sale as-is. The car’s Evo nose is gussied up a bit with LED lights at either corner, and the low-profile lines may need to be bulked up a smidge in the name of interior space. But taken in total, the Prototype S looks like a viable and natural evolution of the Lancer line.
There’s still no word on Mitsubishi bringing the five-door Lancer stateside, and all the current information we’ve seen has the car pointed squarely at the European market. But we think the small-wagon could find an enthusiastic audience in the U.S., as well as being a natural competitor for the less-lovely Subaru WRX wagon. Tells us what you think of the Prototype S concept in comments.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Mitsubishi has returned from the dead letter pile of automotive sales and is once again selling sufficient cars to not only save face but also to make money. The Lancer, in its civilian form, is one of the reasons. Available in three trim levels—DE, ES, and GTS—the Lancer provides attractive transportation and, in the GTS version we drove recently in Arizona, enough fun to keep you smiling on your daily commute.
Mitsubishi says that it’s trying to build on the excitement that has been generated by its launch of the Lancer Evolution, and create a buzz for the company’s brand new 2009 Galant sedan. The new Galant debuted today at the Chicago Auto Show, coming with the hopes that it can raise itself from the inattention suffered by its predecessors.
Mitsubishi is trying to cover its bases in the complex and super-competitive mid-size sedan segment, by offering the 2009 Gallant in four trim levels, with the choice of four or six-cylinder engines. The top of the range 3.8-liter V-6 is available in the Ralliart-tuned Gallant, and offers a healthy 258 horsepower. Also available are a 230 horse V-6, and a 2.4-liter, 160 horsepower four. All engines come with a version of Mitsubishi’s Sportonic transmission, a four-ratio edition coming with the four-cylinders, and five-speeds for the V-6’s.
Check out our live gallery of 2009 Galant images below or click through the jump to read the official Mitsubishi press release.
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