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Mitsubishi Shogun Sport SVP Concept is the offroad Mitsu we want

The Mitsubishi Shogun Sport SVP Concept just debuted at the Commercial Vehicle Show in the U.K. For those unaware of the Shogun Sport's origins, it's a Mitsubishi Triton-based SUV with truck-like off-road capability. This concept raises the bar for what's possible with this big SUV when the terrain gets rough. Mitsubishi and some aftermarket suppliers have given the truck some impressive modifications. For one, it has a 40 mm wider track and new offroad suspension. Walkinshaw Performance Limited and Koni both helped with new components and the suspension tuning. BF Goodrich all-terrain tires wrap new Predator 18-inch off-road wheels with a red outer rim design. Then to give the sides of the Shogun Sport more clearance while rock crawling, Mitsubishi fitted raised side steps finished in black. Other trail-ready add-ons include the big LED light bar and rally-style PIAA driving lamps on the grille. Mitsubishi has changed up the design a bit by adding a new colored grille, massive decal package and a big hatch lid badge. The interior gets a few new bits like heavier bolstered seats, red LED mood lighting and special patterns used throughout. Of course, we don't get the Shogun Sport in the United States. This concept happens to use Mitsubishi's 2.4-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, which makes 181 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Mitsubishi has recently talked about a return to trucks in America, but nothing certain is in the pipeline for now. Meanwhile, we just got our first look at Mitsubishi's smallest new crossover yesterday, the 2020 Outlander Sport.

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander shows its new nose

Mitsubishi is already using its 2015 New York Auto Show invitation to tease the new nose on the refreshed 2016 Outlander, but the changes aren't too easy to spot in that stylized shot. Now, thanks to a photographer in Japan, we have a better chance to see what the redesign really looks like. Based on this image and the invitation, we can clearly see that the refresh is liberally borrowing from the styling of the Outlander PHEV Concept-S from the 2014 Paris Motor Show. They share a chrome-outlined, X-shaped grille with two bars on top to connect the headlights, and a gloss black panel in the center provides some visual contrast. The only major change seems to be the foglight design that loses its LED embellishments on the production version compared to the show car. According to Indian Autos Blog, this Outlander was snapped while waiting at port in Japan, and the photo was posted by a user on the blogging site Livedoor. We will get a full look at the refreshed crossover at its debut in New York on April 2.

Recharge Wrap-up: Fiat 500X emissions, Japan EV sales down

The Fiat 500X exceeds EU emissions limits, according to environmental lobby group DUH. In dyno tests, DUH found NOx emissions in the diesel-powered 500X to be 11 to 20 times the limit with a warm engine, but closer to the limit with a cold engine. Testing of vehicles from Fiat and other automakers "point towards defeat devices," says DUH campaigner Axel Friedrich. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) offered no comment in response to the accusations. Read more from Reuters. A UK study finds that about 20 percent of the benefits from fuel efficient vehicles are negated by a tendency for people to drive them more. The study, which covers the years 1970 to 2011, finds a significant "rebound effect," when consumers use more of a cheaper energy source. It suggests these drivers drive more not because of the fuel efficiency, but because of the lower operating costs. "Until now, we didn't know the size of this effect for British motoring," says Dr. Lee Stapleton, Research Fellow for the University of Sussex Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand. "We found evidence of a significant, long-term rebound and expect our results to be of interest for public policy." Read more at Green Car Congress. Japanese EV sales have declined for the first time ever. Sales of electric vehicles slid 22 percent in 2015, leaving them at the same levels as 2012. Low gasoline prices are to blame, as well as the late arrival of the updated Nissan Leaf, which caused potential customers to hold off on their purchase. This allowed the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to take the lead as Japan's best selling EV. The Toyota Prius Plug-In came in third place in EV sales, with the BMW i3 close on its heels. Read more from EV Sales. Featured Gallery 2016 Fiat 500X: First Drive View 34 Photos Related Gallery Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S: Paris 2014 View 12 Photos News Source: Reuters, Green Car Congress, EV SalesImage Credit: Copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL Green Fiat Mitsubishi Nissan Emissions Fuel Efficiency Electric recharge wrapup