Mitsubishi to return to WRC!?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[cmspaz]

Originally Posted by 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.

The Colt makes sense, and rumors are leaning in that direction too. The other thing to note is that the current WRC engine requirements are a 1.6L turbo gasoline powerplant, so how Mitsu plans to fit into that is going to be the most likely hurdle considering they've been dropping hints for years about the next Evo being hybrid and possibly diesel.

Time will tell regardless...