2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs on 2040-cars

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Mitsubishi profits in North America for first time in seven years

Well, this is a change of pace. Mitsubishi has actually made some money in North America. It's the company's first operating profit in seven years, and while it might only be $4.18 million – yes, Mitsubishi made less in 2014 than some professional athletes – it's definitely a start. Sales in the US were up 19 percent between January and March, to 32,000 units, while 2014's overall sales jumped 21 percent to 117,000 units, Automotive News reports. Perhaps more impressively, the company is predicting a bountiful 2015, with sales up to 128,000 units and operating profits climbing to $58.5 million. If Mitsubishi is doing this with cars like the ancient Lancer and the awful Mirage, we should probably expect some good things when newer, more competent vehicles like the new Outlander hit dealers.

2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport gets power bump

Mitsubishi is working to keep its products up to date. While the prospect for a midsize sedan might be on hold, and the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid keeps seeing delays; the Outlander Sport is at least getting a more powerful, optional engine for two trims in the 2015 model year. The Japanese brand's compact crossover is now offered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, and it's hooked up to a CVT. That works out to a jump of 20 hp and 22 lb-ft over the current 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Outlander Sport. Fuel economy is rated at 23 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive version or 23/26/24 for all-wheel drive models. The larger engine is only available on the ES and GT trim levels. Prices for the 2.4 ES start at at $21,295, plus an $850 destination charge on all models, and it also gets a black center bumper. The 2.4 GT rings up for $23,595 and adds things like a power driver's seat, black roof rails and LED turn signals in the mirrors. Additionally, customers can option the GT Premium Package for an upgraded stereo, moonroof and auto-dimming rearview mirror. There's also the GT Touring Package with leather seats and a seven-inch navigation system. MITSUBISHI MOTORS INTRODUCES MORE POWERFUL 2015 OUTLANDER SPORT New 2.4-liter engine produces 168 horsepower – 20 more horsepower than currently offered 2.0-liter engine The 2.4l engine will be available in two trim levels: 2.4 ES and 2.4 GT Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has introduced a more powerful version of the 2015 Outlander Sport 5-passenger crossover that includes a larger displacement 2.4-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower – a 20 horsepower increase over the current 2.0-liter engine. With a starting MSRP of $21,295, the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 ES features a black center bumper to visually differentiate this model from the standard ES trim level. The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.4 GT has a MSRP of $23,595 and includes additional features such as a power driver's seat, leather-wrapped parking brake handle, aluminum pedals, and exterior enhancements including a black center bumper along with black roof rails and outside mirrors with LED turn indicators. The 2.4 GT model includes an optional GT Premium Package that consists of a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate® premium sound system with 9 speakers including 10-in.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency

Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Daihatsu have announced an alliance that will see a push to improve fuel economy from both gas-powered and diesel-powered engines by as much as 30 percent before the end of the decade.
The newly assembled Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines put the roughly $20-million project together, with the Japanese government committing to half the cost while the eight manufacturers will chip in the rest.
According to Automotive News, the automakers will team up and share basic research on internal-combustion engines in a bid to cut costs. Eventually, the results of the research will find its way into a production vehicle, although it's unclear just when we'll see the fruits of this partnership on the road.