Mitsubishi to return to WRC!?

[Trogdor]

I just wrapped up in training at work. The topic was focused on the future line up for Mitsu, and changes to existing models.

One of the things that was brought up was "How do we address rumors Mitsubishi is leaving the US market?" A letter from the new chairman of MMNA was shared with us. In the letter to upper level Mitsu execs, it notes that the focus of future cars will be very consumer driven, including the return to sponsorship of a rally team.

[Tachyon]

I'll believe it when I see it, I guess.

I suspect if they did re-enter it would be utilizing a modified chassis like the MiEV rather then derived from the current direction of the Evolution.

[Trogdor]

The MiEV's sales have been, underwhelming at best. We were informed that there will likely not be a 2013 model year for the MiEV due to excess inventory. However, I can also confirm that Evo XI will be a hybrid (not sure if gas or diesel). My guess is that this will occur at the same time?

[Kracka]

Half of Don Herring Mitsu's lot is full of iMievs that have been sitting for months; Mitsu is going to have to offer some steep discounts to move these stupid things... Like cut the price in half.

[Halon]

Other than the Evo, Mitsubishi doesn't put out anything that impresses me, or stands out from the competition. The brand needs a make-over, like Ford seemed to successfully do in the past few years.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

Maybe a Rally America team if they are worried about the US market.

[BriK]

Originally Posted by Trogdor

My guess is that this will occur at the same time?

Makes me think of this:

http://youtu.be/UtVjRG7PB_4

[Trogdor]

Originally Posted by Halon

Other than the Evo, Mitsubishi doesn't put out anything that impresses me, or stands out from the competition. The brand needs a make-over, like Ford seemed to successfully do in the past few years.

Agreed, and as did MMNA. That's why if you look at the Outlander Sport, its the first in the line up to start the company overhaul. It's got more standard features, at a lower prices than any other SUV in its class. The model year 2014 Outlander will be more on par with entry level luxury brands, but at a price similar to a CRV or Rav 4. They're adding all kinda of cool crap to it.

Originally Posted by Kracka

Half of Don Herring Mitsu's lot is full of iMievs that have been sitting for months; Mitsu is going to have to offer some steep discounts to move these stupid things... Like cut the price in half.

One of the things they did was partner with Ally. MMCA isn't an American financial institution, and they weren't able to take advantage of government rebates. Since Ally is, we can offer lease rates that include use of the $7500 tax credit. But yeah, even at that we've only sold 9 of them total.

A larger part of the issue is that the infrastructure doesn't exist to support EV's yet. If there were level 3 charging stations (Level 3 stations can charge an EV in about 10-15 minutes) at gas stations through the cities and people could travel more than 100 miles in one day taking a 15 minute break to charge, there would be more sales on EVs.

Too bad those chargers are like $60,000.

[Tachyon]

Originally Posted by Shane@DBPerformance

Maybe a Rally America team if they are worried about the US market.

While that pegged my sarcasm meter, I would like to see them offer the same contingency money for showing up in a Mitsubishi that Subaru corporate does for their brand. It's not coincidence or even brand preference that nearly all the Open class cars sound like they're running on 3 cylinders.

But even when L'estage won in 2010 with his X, not one other Evo X owner I talked to was ever aware of the man...

Rally as a business plan here in the United States is sub-optimal... Just glad to see Hyundai finally realized it and headed off for the WRC in 2014.

[Halon]

Originally Posted by Trogdor

Agreed, and as did MMNA. That's why if you look at the Outlander Sport, its the first in the line up to start the company overhaul. It's got more standard features, at a lower prices than any other SUV in its class. The model year 2014 Outlander will be more on par with entry level luxury brands, but at a price similar to a CRV or Rav 4. They're adding all kinda of cool crap to it.

Cool crap is cool, but what about mpg? As you know we've been looking around at mid-size sedans (i.e. Galant) for Katy. The Galant comes in dead last when compared to just about everything it competes against (Camry, Altima, Fusion, Malibu, Sonata, Optima, Mazda6, Accord, Legacy AWD, A4, I could keep going but I won't...). The only thing it comes close to is the Dodge Avenger, which Dodge is already known for being gas guzzlers so that's a shame, and the Avenger even out does the Galant in Hwy MPG by 1.

[Trogdor]

Originally Posted by Halon

Cool crap is cool, but what about mpg?

Full 3rd row of seats
Electronic brake force distribution
Lane departure warning
Speed adjusting cruise control
Touch screen HD radio (navi optional)
More plush interior finish (with real wood grain option)
Selectable all wheel control (which they have now)
Eco button that will disengage AWD when conditions are ideal
Plug in Hybrid option (like a Chevy Volt) that has a 40 miles battery only range.
Oh, and 28 MPG highway, AWD.

[Super Bleeder!!]

Originally Posted by Halon

Cool crap is cool, but what about mpg? As you know we've been looking around at mid-size sedans (i.e. Galant) for Katy.

Sounds like you need an e55!

[goodhart]

Doesn't help that those i-MiEV things are the most god awful ugly pieces of shit ever to be designed.

[JET]

Originally Posted by Trogdor

Full 3rd row of seats
Electronic brake force distribution
Lane departure warning
Speed adjusting cruise control
Touch screen HD radio (navi optional)
More plush interior finish (with real wood grain option)
Selectable all wheel control (which they have now)
Eco button that will disengage AWD when conditions are ideal
Plug in Hybrid option (like a Chevy Volt) that has a 40 miles battery only range.
Oh, and 28 MPG highway, AWD.

So it is a pile of poo with sprinkles on it, yay. Put all the options on it that you want, but the vehicle dynamics and fit and finish are not up to industry standards. Think of it like Kia 10 years ago, it better be DAMN cheap to buy.

[Kracka]

Not sure what all the bashing is about, but my friend just bought his fiancee a fully-loaded 2012 Outlander Sport and it blows the CRV/RAV4 bunch away. Nice interior, decent looks for a SUV, plenty of features, long warranty, and S-AWC.

[Rmondoh]

Originally Posted by Kracka

Not sure what all the bashing is about, but my friend just bought his fiancee a fully-loaded 2012 Outlander Sport and it blows the CRV/RAV4 bunch away. Nice interior, decent looks for a SUV, plenty of features, long warranty, and S-AWC.

Kracka is referring to me here and I have to agree. The Outlander Sport is a pretty nice SUV/CUV (whatever it's considered). I love driving that thing (except that it doesn't compare in power to the Evo, of course). There's really not one thing I dislike/hate about it. The MPG is awesome as well (depending on the model its ~22-25 city/28-31hwy). That's not as good as those hybrids or ecoboosts or hyundai's getting in the upper 30s but for an SUV, I think that's pretty good. I like it so much that I want to get one for myself, lol!

[Rmondoh]

Originally Posted by Tachyon

I'll believe it when I see it, I guess.

I would love to see Mitsu get back into WRC with the Evo X and put it in the hands of a good driver and show off what it can really do, however I'm with Tachyon on this one...I'll believe it when I see it.

[JET]

I was helping my dad shop for one a couple of months ago. He has a Lancer GTS now and really wanted to like the Outlander, but it ended up about 6th on the list with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento on top. I didn't go with him for every one that he checked out (I was with for 5), but honestly he was pretty heavily biased towards Mitsu and placed it that low.

[Rmondoh]

Originally Posted by Trogdor

Agreed, and as did MMNA. That's why if you look at the Outlander Sport, its the first in the line up to start the company overhaul. It's got more standard features, at a lower prices than any other SUV in its class. The model year 2014 Outlander will be more on par with entry level luxury brands, but at a price similar to a CRV or Rav 4. They're adding all kinda of cool crap to it.

I recently saw an article regarding the new Outlander Sport and I have to say that thing looks fugly. I don't like the new front design and that's mostly because they made it look like the Ford Edge. I know Ford sells lots of shit, but that front end looks terrible. As for all the features you listed in a later post, I'm all for more features at a reasonable price.

I liked that Mitsu made their 2008-2013 lineup (except for the Eclipse) all look similar. It was very stylish and to a certain extent, aggressive looking. If they plan to make their 2014+ lineup look like that new Outlander, it's going to be one ugly lineup IMO.

[Tachyon]

Please note: I was not referring to the MiEV specifically as the chassis for the next WRC car, just that the trend over the last 5 years in the WRC has been to run smaller "supermini" cars. I suspect he current Evolution is simply too large of a footprint with too long of a wheelbase to be a viable option in today's WRC.

Even Hyundai ditched their relatively developed Veloster platform for their fugly little i20 to use in 2014 WRC.

If Mitsubishi does return it will need to be in a car much like their current competitors:

• Ford Fiesta
• Citroën DS3
• Volkswagen Polo
• Hyundai i20
• BMW Mini

Personally I'd love to see a iteration of Mitsubishi Colt (which is still sold new in Japan) used as their next platform.