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2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Quick Spin Review | Deserving of a clean slate

The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is named after a sport compact coupe, which was iconic to some and a sad reminder of its brand's slide into irrelevance to most others. That "Eclipse" is now attached to a compact SUV will likely cheese off the former and cause the latter to sarcastically mutter, "Yup, that seems about right." Mitsubishi's marketers would say it shares the old Eclipse's "reputation for driving dynamics and technology." Do with that what you will. For now, though, let's put aside what it's called. Well, beyond the fact it's comically long to say and difficult to type (I started calling it the Eagle Talon Cross for those reasons). Because really, the name straps a whole load of baggage to a mostly clean-slate vehicle that in concept is actually a smart move by a brand trying to climb back to relevance. In size, it straddles the line between B- and C-segment compact SUVs. In shape and style, it's set apart from the more utilitarian entries of both. Under the hood, it provides torque-rich turbocharged grunt in contrast to meek naturally aspirated rivals. The ample ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive (on most trims) take a page from the Subaru playbook that's been moving the chains so well. As we discovered when we compared its specs to those of vaguely similar SUVs, the Eclipse Cross is far more intriguing and potentially competitive than originally thought. Perhaps it's unfair to the car itself, but besides all that baggage attached to its name, it's also saddled with the expectations of recent Mitsubishi products that have been uncompetitive, dull or just plain bad. (The i-Miev is the worst and most embarrassing car I've ever driven, and I've driven a Yugo.) In short, the Eclipse Cross warrants a clean-slate appraisal. Sure, it shares its wheelbase with Mitsubishi's two Outlander SUVs and certainly other components as well, but in appearance, touch and driving feel, the Eclipse Cross is profoundly different. This is immediately obvious in the cabin that's far more contemporary in appearance. If you think it looks a bit like the Lexus NX interior, you certainly wouldn't be alone, right down to its touchpad tech interface (more on that later). Materials quality is also strong, and not just in comparison to its brand mates, but to the compact SUV segment as a whole.

Mitsubishi recalls 130k Lancers, Outlanders over auxiliary glitches

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has has announced two separate recall campaigns for Mitsubishi vehicles, both of them related to problems with their auxiliary systems and covering a total of some 130,000 units. The recalls relate to Lancers (including Sportback and Evolution versions) as well as the Outlander and Outlander Sport, all of them from the 2009 through 2011 model years. The larger of the two recalls relates to the blower motor that may not to an adequate job of defrosting the windshield and therefor impede the driver's visibility. The recall covers 76,958 units, specifically the 2009-2011 Lancer (manufactured between March 16, 2009, and March 30, 2011), 2010-2011 Lancer Sportback (June 17, 2009, to December 1, 2010), 2010-2011 Lancer Evolution (July 14, 2009, to January 7, 2011), 2009-2011 Outlander (February 10, 2009, to June 22, 2011), and 2011 Outlander Sport (August 26, 2010, to November 19, 2010). The smaller recall still covers another 53,395 units due to a problem with the electronic control unit tasked with operating the headlights, taillights and windshield wipers. "Unstable voltage" in that dedicated ECU could cause those systems to function improperly – which, again, could impede the visibility and increase the risk of a crash. This recall covers the 2009-2010 Lancer (January 12, 2009, to July 6, 2010), 2010 Lancer Sportback (June 17, 2009, to June 8, 2010), 2010 Lancer Evolution (July 14, 2009, to August 4, 2010) and 2009-2010 Outlander (January 12, 2009, to August 27, 2010). In both cases the manufacturer is not aware of any accidents or injuries resulting from the problems. But all the same, in both cases, owners will be notified to bring their Mitsus into their local dealer to have the relevant component (blower motor or ECU) replaced. Since the affected models and model years overlap, we suspect some owners may have both components replaced on their vehicles at the same time, but we're reaching out to Mitsubishi Motors North America for clarification. If this array of recalled vehicles sounds familiar, you might be thinking of a similar campaign issued last October that covered some 166,000 Lancers and Outlanders from largely the same model years. That unrelated recall, however, related to the drive belt detaching from the engine.

Recharge Wrap-up: vehicle electrification future, Indonesia biodiesel growth

Navigant Research expects electrified vehicles (including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles) to reach 6 million sales in 2024. That's up from 2.6 million sales in 2015. About half of those sales will be plug-in vehicles in 2024, up from 19 percent in 2015. To make its predictions, Navigant took into account automaker strategies, concept vehicles, regulations and incentives, electricity and oil prices, and charging infrastructure expectations over the 10-year timetable. Navigant also says that despite the massive changes in the last five years, the next five years will be "even more impactful to the global automotive and energy industries." Read more from Navigant Research, or at Green Car Congress. Indonesia's biodiesel consumption is expected to rise dramatically over the next year. While the nation used 291 to 317 million gallons in 2015, consumption levels for 2016 could surpass 2 billion gallons, depending on blending regulation enforcement. Indonesia raised the minimum biodiesel content in diesel fuel from 10 to 15 percent in 2015 while increasing biofuel subsidies. It will raise the blend minimum to 20 percent for 2016, and plans to increase it to 30 percent in 2020. Read more at Business Recorder. Scotland's national newspaper, The Scotsman, has awarded the title of Plug-In Vehicle of the Year to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The paper praised the car for its ability to live up to its "ecocredentials," as well as its all-around practicality. During its long-term test, Scotsman staff enjoyed using the 32.5 miles of electric driving range to commute to and from work. The Scotsman's Steven Chisholm called the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, "an exciting prospect for anyone looking for an SUV that's easy on the wallet as well as the environment." Read more at Inside EVs. Featured Gallery Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S: Paris 2014 View 12 Photos News Source: Navigant Research, Green Car Congress, Business Recorder, Inside EVsImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Government/Legal Green Mitsubishi Alternative Fuels Biodiesel Electric recharge wrapup