1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution | Low Miles | Mostly Original on 2040-cars

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Mitsubishi NA gets new president and CEO

Last week, we told you that Mitsubishi will be getting a new global president, with Osamu Masuko stepping aside in favor of Tesuro Aikawa. The executive changes at the Japanese automaker are hitting closer to home, now, with official word that Mitsubishi Motors North America is getting a new president and CEO, as well. Effective March 1, Ryujiro Kobashi will take over for Yoichi Yokozawa, 49, who has been in charge since April of 2011. Yokozawa is headed back to Japan, where he will assume a spot in the company's corporate planning offices.
Kobashi, 53, has been with Mitsubishi since 1983 when he was fresh out of college. Previous to taking the top job in North America, he was installed as corporate general manager of the NA office at Mitsubishi's headquarters in Japan, where he coordinated regional operations for the US, Canada and Mexico. Before that, he held posts in planning, marketing, advertising and public relations for the company.
Kobashi takes over the company's North American operations at a pivotal time, when the region is finally showing signs of life after a prolonged period of stagnation. As Automotive News notes, Mitsubishi only sold 62,227 vehicles in the US in 2013, but that figure still represents an eight-percent increase. Its crossovers, the new-for-2014 Outlander and the two-year-old Outlander Sport have been selling relatively well, and the affordable Mirage subcompact is a new arrival at dealers.

Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer concept is a 4WD plug-in hybrid

Mitsubishi has finally taken the wraps off its strangely named Engelberg Tourer crossover concept in Geneva, revealing a twin-motor, four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid with some nifty off-road capabilities and connected-car technology. Named for a Swiss ski resort famous for its unmarked, backcountry terrain, the Engelberg Tourer is a sporty-looking crossover that could preview a new Outlander. It features plenty of side creasing, an upright front end, interesting running lights and that unique roof box cap with integrated fog lamps and highly reflective strips of chrome along the sides. Mitsubishi says the crossover has an all-electric range of more than 70 kilometers, or around 43 miles, at least on the European WLTP cycle, and a combined gasoline-electric range of more than 700 km (435 miles). The Engelberg — users will inevitably make comparisons to the singer Engelbert Humperdinck, as does Google's autofill function — benefits from established and advanced Mitsubishi technologies. It uses the twin-motor PHEV system developed for the Outlander PHEV and improves it, with high-efficiency motors at the front and rear axles and a 2.4-liter gasoline engine in a series hybrid setup, acting as a generator. It uses active yaw control first developed for the Lancer Evolution series to split torque between the front and rear wheels, or between the front wheels alone, and matches it with a super all-wheel control system to improve performance and stability. The concept also features improved anti-lock braking at each wheel and active stability control to reduce wheel slip on snow-covered roads. The onboard navigation system takes the destination entered by the driver and factors in weather, temperature, topography, traffic and road conditions to choose the ideal drive mode and tailor torque split through drive battery management and the super all-wheel control system. Inside, Mitsubishi fashioned a spacious interior bedecked in white panels and seating material and black contrasts. There's also a roof box that houses fog lamps and front and rear bumper under guards. Mitsubishi also is demonstrating the Dendo Drive House, its version of a vehicle-to-home system that allows electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles to generate, store and share energy with a home. Mitsubishi says the service will be offered through dealerships in Japan and Europe later this year. Related Video:

Mitsubishi AR Concept continues a wacky, wonderful tradition [w/video]

Mitsubishi enjoys a long history of thinking outside the literal box when it comes to designing minivans and people movers. Remember the Mitsubishi Van, a.k.a. Delica? How about the Chariot, better known to us as the Colt Vista? The Expo and Expo LRV, the twin models that succeeded it? These were all left-of-center takes on the MPV genre, and while they never sold in large volumes, we can't help but look back at them with a mix of bemusement and respect for their oddball character. Who knows? A production version of this AR Concept could be next.
According to Mitsubishi, "the comfort of a minivan and active personality of an SUV are merged at the highest levels" in the Concept AR. Us? We just think this mild hybrid concept looks kind of neat, even if it's just putting on off-road airs with its elevated ride hight, faux skid plates and black-lipped wheel wells.
Hardware-wise, this Active Runabout is less showcar and more 'real world,' with the front wheels drawing their power from a 134-horsepower, 1.1-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a 10-kW electric motor used as a belt starter generator (read: mild hybrid). A continuously variable transmission handles shifting duties.