1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Convertible on 2040-cars

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New Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs coming to Frankfurt

Mitsubishi is following the unveiling of the heavily refreshed 2016 Outlander at the 2015 New York Auto Show with the European debut of the plug-in hybrid version at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The PHEV goes on sale there in September, and a rally-prepped PHEV Outlander is taking part in the Baja Portalegre 500 in Portugal in October. Rumors suggest that the updated plug-in model might come to the US in early 2016. Mechanically, the Outlander PHEV retains separate motors to power the front and rear wheels, but the company has some revisions for the system to make it more efficient. Emissions are cut thanks to reduced engine friction, and acceleration is reportedly quicker, too. In large part, the 2016 PHEV carries over all of the styling and mechanical updates of its non-electrified sibling. That includes the completely new front end that mixes chrome and gloss black for a more interesting look. The plug-in gets a few design cues of its own, including a different shape for the lower bumpers, less chrome down the sides, and some body-color trim. It also rides on a set of two-tone 18-inch wheels. Inside, there's a four-spoke steering wheel and brown, and black leathers are available. Previously offered on the Japanese model, European customers now get access to the Outlander PHEV's vehicle-to-home power system. The tech allows owners to plug in their CUV and provide electricity to their house from the vehicle's battery. Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at 2015 International Motor Show (IAA) Tokyo, August 31, 2015 Improved Outlander PHEV with Dynamic Shield debuts in Europe Tokyo, August 31, 2015 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)'s revamped 2016MY Outlander PHEV, due to go on sale in Europe in September, will make its European debut at the 66th International Motor Show (IAA)*1 Alongside the new Outlander PHEV, MMC will be exhibiting the rally version of the Outlander PHEV to compete in the Baja Portalegre 500 cross-country rally*2 and several production models in a total lineup of 15 vehicles (13 on press days, for more information please see the last page). *1: To be held at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition grounds in Frankfurt am Main, Germany from September 15 through September 27. For more information please access http://www.iaa.de/en/press-room/ (English) *2: A cross-country rally due to be held in the eastern part of Portugal from October 22nd through October 24th.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross will be crossing over to the US sometime in the fall

Here it is, Mitsubishi's latest effort to take a piece of the CUV pie, the Eclipse Cross. The crossover makes its official debut at the Geneva Show, and it looks just aggressive enough to be unique, but not so strange that it will scare away the average buyer. Most interesting are the aggressive cues cribbed from the XR-PHEV II Concept, like the forward-raked rear hatch, chunky rear fenders, and deep crease along the side. However, the shape is still clearly crossover, and the nose isn't too radical. In fact, it may be the most attractive version of Mitsubishi's shield grille yet. Interestingly, the Eclipse Cross is within an inch or two size-wise compared with the existing Outlander Sport, though this should change down the road when a newer, smaller Outlander Sport is introduced. The interior follows a similar theme to the exterior. The most striking aspect is the center stack, which slants downward toward the shifter and juts out over the climate control buttons. But everything is finished in simple, inoffensive black and aluminum-look trim. The sliding and reclining rear seats should be useful for comfort and cargo space. Next to the shifter is a touch-pad that looks extremely similar to the pad Lexus uses for its systems. A couple of our editors find the Lexus version to be rather awful, so hopefully Mitsubishi has refined and improved it. As a back-up, you can simply use the touch screen perched atop the dash, which may be more handy for using the car's default user interface, or the supported Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Also on the dash is a pop-up heads-up display similar to that in current Mazdas. View 11 Photos One big selling point for the Eclipse Cross is its standard all-wheel drive. There is also just one engine and one transmission. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline inline-four, and it's channeled through a CVT with 8 ratios that can be manually shifted. Mitsubishi has yet to announce output for the four-pot. Other markets will have the option of a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic, but it won't make the trip to the States. Europe will be the first to get the Eclipse Cross, where it will show up at dealers this fall. Afterward, it will arrive in other markets, including the US. So expect it to appear sometime at the end of this year, or possibly the start of next year. Pricing has not been announced yet. Related Video:

Mitsubishi admits it lied about MPG ratings for all vehicles in Japan

Like the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal, news about Mitsubishi's lies over fuel-economy ratings for its Japanese market vehicles is going from bad to worse. First, it was just a few kei cars. Then it was vehicles made as far back as 1991. Now Mitsubishi has admitted deceptive mileage test data could affect every vehicle it has sold in Japan, but not vehicles sold elsewhere. We suspect that this will not cause the EPA to relax its request for more information from the Japanese automaker to see if any vehicles sold in the US are affected. Mitsubishi Motors North America has said its US numbers are legit. In a letter to the Japanese government, Mitsubishi said that even though its managers knew getting good fuel economy ratings was a difficult task, they didn't ask too many questions of the engineers actually doing the tests. That allowed those employees to fake some of the numbers. Exactly what the repercussions will be in Japan is not known, CBS News says, both in terms of fines or penalties and how to compensate people who bought these vehicles. Reports are also just coming in that the fuel scandal might lead to Nissan taking control of Mitsubishi. More on this as it develops. Related Video: News Source: CBS Government/Legal Green Mitsubishi Fuel Efficiency vw diesel scandal kei car scandal