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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Mitsubishi Concept Global Small
Mitsubishi's long-running Evo line is coming to an end

When it comes to the U.S. car market, Mitsubishi is one of the most lackluster and increasingly overlooked brands with long-in-the-tooth models. Vehicles like the Endeavor, Galant, and Outlander barely make a blip on the radar screen. Even the Eclipse -- which was a boy racer staple in the 90s -- is a laughing stock today. 

The one bright spot over the years -- at least for enthusiasts -- has been the Lancer Evo. The current Evo X is a 300hp AWD compact that does battle with Subaru's WRX STI. However, its days are now numbered. An official for Mitsubishi made the announcement that the Evo X will be the last member of a long line of performance machines according to AutoCar. Instead of furthering the development of vehicles like the Evo X, Mitsubishi will instead pour more resources into electric vehicles. 

“There is still a demand [for the car],” said Gayu Eusegi, Mitsubishi’s global product director. “But we must stop. Our influence now is EV technology.” 

So that means more vehicles the i-MiEV and the dreadfully bland Concept Global Small (CGS) that was unveiled in Geneva this week are in store for consumers. Although the production CGS is initially to be powered by 1.0-liter and 1.2-liter three-cylinder engines, Mitsubishi will no doubt be looking to add hybrid and all-electric powertrains to the little runabout. 

It remains to be seen if a move to electric vehicles will help Mitsubishi's fortunes here in the U.S., but it seems doubtful. Likewise, its Japanese rivals have the market cornered in hybrid technology and are already breaking down the door when it comes to full electric vehicles. 

Sales for the brand paint an even grimmer picture. For the month of February, Mitsubishi sold just 6,893 cars in the U.S. To put those numbers in perspective Toyota, Nissan, and Honda sold 128,032, 83,226, and 87,263 vehicles respectively for the month of February.

Mitsubishi Motor Cars has issued a statement in response to the numerous reports on the demise of the Evo:

Production of the current Lancer Evolution continues as planned. 

As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package & architecture.

MMC has kept the Lancer Evolution sedan evolving as the brand's highest performing model in the global market. However, as the market's needs and demands change, MMC is considering not advancing the Lancer Evolution concept in the same way as before, but to find a different direction for the Lancer Evolution model to evolve. The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course.

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and Subaru prevails once again...
By excrucio on 3/3/2011 1:17:04 AM , Rating: 2
I only have one concern now.... Who will give the STI competition? Without competition, no innovation... Meaning, in the end we will never see the STI become any better than it is today? or am I wrong here?




RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By AssBall on 3/3/2011 2:00:49 AM , Rating: 2
I dunno???? Maybe Audi? Not sure if the RS3 is in the same class or not.

This is kinda sad. Now the only cool Japanese sports cars will be the super expensive LFA and the GTR. Maybe Honda will crawl out of their cave and finish their V10 NSX replacement.


By vol7ron on 3/5/2011 11:25:58 PM , Rating: 2
This is really sad, because I was one of those "boy"s that wanted the eclipse during the 90's.

The problem with Mitsubishi, besides getting into some bad financing problems, is that they don't understand that their exterior designs were really bad as time went on.

It's like dating, you first need to impress with looks to get you in the door, then you need whats under the hood to keep you interested.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By omnicronx on 3/3/2011 2:02:52 AM , Rating: 3
Competition is not the only thing that breeds innovation..

Ever notice how the car is a mere image of their Rally counterparts?

(let alone the STi name itself?)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Tecnica_Intern...


By omnicronx on 3/3/2011 2:33:41 AM , Rating: 3
Well.. i guess thats competition too ;)


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Samus on 3/3/2011 2:46:10 AM , Rating: 2
The Japanese gave up on sports cars over a decade ago. They're not as profitable as platforms that sell more quantity (even if they charge a lot more per vehicle, it still doesn't pan out as well as, say, a Camry.)

If it weren't for the Ford/Mazda joint venture doing as well as it did, Mazda wouldn't have ever resurected the RX7(8) and the Miata wouldn't be anything like what it is today. Ford promoted Mazda to use Turbo technology ages ago to beta-test their Ecoboost in a smaller market before rolling it out to the Blue Oval plate.

Unfortunately it was against Mazda's own will, as they have been speaking back to their roots lately with the 'right-sizing the engine' strategy that worked for them in the 70's and 80's with small cars and small engines, but that strategy won't work these days with the demand for vehicle size/weight that requires either a large engine or a small, boosted engine.

Mazda has no fallback technology (Electric, hybrid, etc) as all their experience is with boost (Turbo charge MX5, older RX7's, Millercycle-based Millenia's, Mazdaspeed Protege, Mazdaspeed 3, CX7 Turbo, etc etc. They have a larger Turbo vehicle lineup than any other company out their, including Volkswagen (who is second in models, first in volume shipments of Turbo-equiped vehicles in part because of Audi)

Anyway, back to 'sports cars.' The Japanese government has been very strict on their automakers when it comes to making fast cars. Most Japanese companies have little interest in Rally (Subaru an obvious exception; Toyota was banned from the WRC in 1993 for cheating with illegal engine modofications in teh Celica All-trac, and have since put their technology and financing behind Subaru to compete)

In fact, the ONLY manufacture in Japan that still makes a decent sports car is Nissan, and thats unsurprising, really. The CEO of Nissan is an ex-politician AND has heavy interest in F1. Honda pulled out of F1 years ago. Basically, nobody really cares about fast cars, they care about profit.

And in the end, in America at least, nobody can competewith the Mustang, an economical, simple, mass-produced, fun, safe, daily-driver capable sports car with limitless options and trims. Sure, the Toyota Supra and Honda S2000 were better...way better, but they were more expensive, twice the price even. As awesome as they were, nobody really bought them. That's why they're not made anymore.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Keeir on 3/3/2011 4:18:56 AM , Rating: 4
quote:
The Japanese gave up on sports cars over a decade ago.

quote:
The Japanese government has been very strict on their automakers when it comes to making fast cars.


Lets not forget that the Japanese government essentially legislated the "affordable" Sports Car out of their country. And it was not because they were too fast. The Japanese government decided along time ago that their country was better off having a population that bought large numbers of very efficient cars (mostly replacement cars). They tax engines based on size. They require special inspections that get more expensive as cars age. In the US, one might buy a sports car for pleasure driving and keep it 10-15 years (or buy an older sports car). This would be extremely expensive in Japan.

quote:
Unfortunately it was against Mazda's own will, as they have been speaking back to their roots lately with the 'right-sizing the engine' strategy that worked for them in the 70's and 80's with small cars and small engines, but that strategy won't work these days with the demand for vehicle size/weight that requires either a large engine or a small, boosted engine.


Well... a car company can either spend alot of money on fancy engine technology or can spend money on a wieght reduction materials. Looking at the C-Segment "40 MPG" cars, it appears that the lightest one, a Hyundai Elantra gets the best MPG, even though it is using the simplest engine technology... and doesn't have fancy moving aerodynamic panels.

quote:
They have a larger Turbo vehicle lineup than any other company out their, including Volkswagen (who is second in models, first in volume shipments of Turbo-equiped vehicles in part because of Audi)


Wow... simply wow.

In the US, Mazda sells 10 models (if you want to count the Speed3 separate) of which 2 are turbos.

In the US, VW also sells ~ 10 models ... 6 of which have turbos.

To my knowledge, there has never been a time in the last 10 years that in the US or Globally that Mazda has sold more Turbo model types than VW.

Or maybe you mean that Mazda has more Turbo engine choices? Also, wow....

quote:
In fact, the ONLY manufacture in Japan that still makes a decent sports car is Nissan, and thats unsurprising, really.


Toyota and Subaru are planning on bring a RWD, Front-Mid Engined Boxer Engine sport coupes to the US market in 2012-2013 time frame.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Samus on 3/3/11, Rating: -1
RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2011 6:44:22 AM , Rating: 2
Um, Toyota is bringing us a new RWD sports car... the FT-86 in damn near production trim:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-2011-toy...

Production model coming next year.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Runiteshark on 3/3/2011 12:28:46 PM , Rating: 1
Hey brosiris, it's not FI. No FI? No care. Hyundai Genesis is the only cheap affordable turbo RWD car these days.

Nissan has yet to respond with their S16, because they're too busy being retards with hybrid/electric bs, adding more weight to the Z, or having fun with oil overheating on the VQ37HR.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2011 12:39:19 PM , Rating: 2
You should be damn happy that they are bringing a RWD sports car AT ALL.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By YashBudini on 3/6/2011 4:22:22 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
You should be damn happy that they are bringing a RWD sports car AT ALL.


They brought us this, didn't they?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Supra

The Mark IV with the twin turbocharged Toyota 2JZ-GTE engine was uhhhhh, quick?

As for this thing, I'm not sure I want to drive the Bat Mobile, or anything that looks like it came from a comic strip.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By FITCamaro on 3/8/2011 2:56:24 PM , Rating: 2
Now try fixing one. My brother has a 97 Supra TT. Can't really afford the car. Parts are extremely expensive.


By YashBudini on 3/8/2011 6:15:26 PM , Rating: 2
And so? Everything that's no longer made and of limited production has those issues.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Keeir on 3/3/2011 1:54:15 PM , Rating: 2
Hrm

The Hyundai Gensis is more of a sports coupe that anything else. With its 37.4 turning radius and 3300 lb curb wieght.
Its more like the Infiniti G Coupe than the Nissan 370Z.

Subaru+Toyota are aimed more at the handling side of things... and will hopefully be around the size of Nissan Z but several hundrand pounds lighter.

For everyday driving, I like FI better as well. But for a sports car, I'd prefer NA.


By Spuke on 3/3/2011 3:11:56 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
For everyday driving, I like FI better as well. But for a sports car, I'd prefer NA.
I can do either but prefer turbo's due to larger gains with less mods. I like the idea of the FT-86 but if it's just like the Miata but with a Toyota badge then no thanks. Sorry to the Miata lovers but I just don't think it's all that great of a car. Driven MANY of them. Even rented one for a week for a vacation. Not impressed.

If the FT-86 is godly in handling, braking and grip, I could forgive not having much power although the power in my Solstice is bare minimum IMO (lighter weight can fix that). More can be easily had though (even GM sells a CARB legal, warranteed ECU flash).


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Runiteshark on 3/4/2011 5:06:27 AM , Rating: 2
I want handling, and a turbo. Think Nissan Silvias.

Cheap, easy to work with, RWD, and turbo (well the JDM ones).

They're popular to this day.

I'd take the Genesis Coupe over the 370z as well, since the vq37hr loves to cook oil, and still weighs just as much as the Genesis coupe.


By Flunk on 3/4/2011 9:24:01 AM , Rating: 2
I'd have to disagree with the Genesis. It's not that it's not enticing by the handling isn't even close to the 370z, it's more like the Altima coupe when it comes to turning radius and in normal city driving (which is most of what I do) handling is king even if it means I'm going to have to buy oil in bulk.


By AssBall on 3/3/2011 6:57:01 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
Subaru's boxer engine is shit.


quote:
oyota is a bullshit company that have no passion for cars.


Gotta disagree with you on both accounts there. The boxer engine is not
quote:
shit
. Ask anyone with a 250k mile outback.

Toyota is a successful company that has worked the hard way thru experimenting with american released sports cars like the not so great Supra and MR2. Their commitment to reliability is now bar none. And they competed well in LeMans with the GT1 and have the highest winning % of any formula one competitor from Asia. (http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/teams/35...

And now they make the LFA, which is an amazing piece of engineering. How can you call that lack of passion?

If you rather have a Sentra than a Corolla, fine, but don't get jaded and thing that the Sentra is the better car just because you hate Toyota.

Then you mention accelerator pedals? Come on... that is a bunch of horse manure.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2011 7:05:10 AM , Rating: 2
Also, you're dead wrong. Mazda only sells TWO turbo models currently

MazdaSpeed 3
CX-7

The MazsaSpeed 6 was killed off in the last generation (due to poor sales). The CX-9 uses a 3.7-liter V6 engine. The MazdaSpeed MX-5 was for the NB generation -- the NC MX-5 doesn't have a turbo option. The RX-8 is only available with a normally aspirated engine.

Bottom line, WTH are you talking about?


By sprockkets on 3/3/2011 7:18:23 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
The MazsaSpeed 6 was killed off in the last generation (due to poor sales).


I think that it was discontinued as usual, as the mazdaspeed varient shows up during the last part of the products life cycle.

But why bother when the new v6 puts out just as much as the turbo?

Btw, that turbo car was just as fast as the V8 impala.


By Strunf on 3/3/2011 7:31:43 AM , Rating: 2
VW has been putting turbos on most of their models for like a year, at least that's the case in Europe. Normally aspired engines are on the way out and that's a GOOD THING! You really have to be deaf to listen what the Mazda exec said a few weeks ago, a normally aspirated engine will "never" be as versatile as a turbo charged one.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By rika13 on 3/3/2011 7:47:01 AM , Rating: 2
The Toyota Hilux (that little inline 4 truck they sell) is probably the most used and abused small truck in the world. The Toyota War was won by Chad due to the truck. It can tow the 44-ton T-62 tank, mount virtually any weapon and carry a lot of guys in the bed. The Chinese PLA has a few, as does New Zealand and our own special forces. Top Gear has driven this thing to the magnetic North Pole (first vehicle there, beat a dog sled team), up to a volcano and got lava, used it as an amphibious vehicle, and performed a litany of destruction on one only for it to still run.

The boxer design is no more or less efficient than V or W engines, look at Porsche and what they do with the design.

The Wankel design, especially the 13B-MSP from Mazda, is quite good too. Side ports eliminate dwell (both intake and exhaust open) entirely, something that a piston engine can never do, the initial lousy mileage has been solved in in the R26B and 13B-MSP, the fewer parts improves throttle response and is much smoother than piston engines (all RX-7's to have over-rev buzzers since the engine is too smooth). The big disadvantage was higher HC and CO emissions, which have been rectified (The RX-8 is Tier 2 Bin 5/ULEV II). The "both ways" is the strong exhaust pulse, which does make the engine very loud without a turbocharger (and enables old RX-7's, with their high HC emissions, to set tailgaters on fire), but is very good and driving one and spinning it quickly.


By JediJeb on 3/9/2011 6:05:52 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
(all RX-7's to have over-rev buzzers since the engine is too smooth)


With no reciprocating parts the Wankel engine has a very high rev limit, which would tear apart most piston engines. I read once about an experimental Wankel used on a motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats that had a 14k rpm rev limit only because at the time they couldn't make an ignition system that would fire the spark plugs any faster.

The old problem many in the RX7s had was rotor tip wear, and that could be fixed with doing the proper maintenance.


By Keeir on 3/3/2011 1:30:48 PM , Rating: 1
VW models in US (2011, 2012 model years) with a Turbo option, by platform:

Jetta Sedan TDI + GLI (Forthcoming)
Golf TDI + GTI + Jetta Sportwagen TDI + Eos
Passat CC
Passat Sedan TDI (Forthcoming) + 2.0L Turbo Version (Forthcoming)
Tiguan
Toureq TDI

6 different platforms, 3 different engines, 11 different nameplates. 6 gasoline ones.

Your list is a list of Turbos Mazda has sold this decade . And I think its funny that you have included large crossovers (CX7 and CX9) while not wanting to do the same thing for VW. The truth is, this decade Mazda has sold 3 factory turbo cars... all special edition low volume models. And allowed for the installation of an expensive option at dealers on one more. Do you even want to know the number of VW cars models sold with Turbos this decade?

quote:
Subaru's boxer engine is shit. I can't believe Toyota lets them ruin their cars with them and it makes no technical sense.


Sigh.. A Boxer Engine is actually very smooth and reasonably efficient. Subarus are rough on purpose due to thier exhaust headers. The Toyota version will have equal length headers and won't sound or "feel" like a Subaru engine. Subaru fuel economy is handicapped by thier aweful 4 speed automatic, thier AWD only powertrain, and thier relatively poor aerodynamics more so than the choice of engine. What happened when Subaru used a CVT and worked on the Aerodynamics? The new Outback crossover that gets better fuel economy than the base Impreza

The best part of a Boxer Engine is that it is half the length of a typical I-4 or I-6. This helps tremendously with either wieght balance or interior space. By using a boxer engine in a front-mid layout will allow the car to have a shorter hood, and more interior space while maintaining the low front overhang and superior wieght balance. This in turn allows for lighterwieght suspension parts, which in turn helps handling.

I personally see no use for the F-Mid Rearwheel car, but I admit that if your going to do that, then a boxer engine is the engine that makes the most sense. Otherwise you end up with cars like the S2000 or the MX5...

quote:
Audi screwed this up 20 years ago, to


The funny thing is... in both cases (Audi and Toyota) the majority of cases had to do with poor driving habits than anything else. Audi couldn't find what was wrong with thier cars, because well... there was nothing wrong outside of poor pedal placement. Looking back at the Toyota pedal issue... it already appears like most of the cases were issues independant of the car.. and more to due with relatively poor ergonomics and older drivers.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Vocko on 3/3/2011 7:13:19 AM , Rating: 2
You're kidding me?
Mazda has had turbos since 1980's in the Mazda 323 GTX (BF chassis), then you had 323 GTX and GTR (BG chassis). There weren't turbo models for BA and BJ, except in the USA with the Mazdaspeed Protege (BJ chassis).
Mazdaspeed Miata was also exclusive to US, before that there wasn't a factory turbo. In the UK you could have bought a turbo kit for the MX-5 and retain the warranty (basicily it used the same engine as the 323 GTX (BF) but without turbo, for cost reduction).
Then came Mazdaspeed3 and Mazdaspeed6 in the US, EU equivavalent was Mazda 3 MPS and Mazda 6 MPS. The new Mazda 6 doesnt have turbo, except the diesel equiped one. So there is no 6 MPS or Mazdaspeed6. Only the 3 has turbocharger.
And speaking of that... It's the same engine! 3, 6, CX-7 and CX-9 have the same engine, so its - one engine, not multiple different engines like in VW case.
I wont touch the RX topic...

Lately Mazda has been developing a way to increase the effectivnes of their engines and we will see that with the new SKY engines, both in petrol and diesel variants.
They've also managed to lighten their vehicles for increased milage and better performance, which they've already done with the current lineup, but will extened to newer cars, who will also premier in 2011/12.

On the fallback technology note... Have you heard of hydrogen? Mazda has an Mazda5 and RX-8 working prototypes for years now. They've even donated a few hydrogen vehicles to the governement of Norway. Also a few days back they made an announcement that by 2020 they will cover 5% of global electric car market and that the first model will be out in 2012 for Japanese market.


By Vocko on 3/3/2011 7:14:53 AM , Rating: 2
Oh and... Mazdaspeed Miata and the Mazdaspeed 6 can only be bought second hand, they're no longer in production...


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By theapparition on 3/3/2011 7:53:53 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
And in the end, in America at least, nobody can competewith the Mustang, an economical, simple, mass-produced, fun, safe, daily-driver capable sports car with limitless options and trims.

Better check your facts there. Camaro has resoundly outsold the Mustang last year, and every single month this year.

For years, Camaros and Firebirds were the better performance cars, but Mustangs outsold them by a landslide. Now that the 2011 Mustang is the better car, I find it ironic that they are being trounced in sales by the Camaro.

Speaks volumes about consumerism. Sometimes the better product doesn't sell as well.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/11, Rating: 0
RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Shane McGlaun (blog) on 3/3/2011 10:21:48 AM , Rating: 2
Mustang is "eh"!!!

I hate you so very, very much right now. Camaro looks good on the outside, not so good on the inside and the 10 GT was a faster car in almost every category with the old 4.6, with the 5.0 Chevy needed the blown Z28 to compete. I hate to see the Evo go, I really woudl like one and considered it and the STI. In the end I thought the cars were both overpriced for what you get and went a new Mustang. Price is why the Evo has died IMHO.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2011 10:29:52 AM , Rating: 2
Styling wise, it is very "eh". And the majority of the people that buy these vehicles buy the base model V6 engines, not the V8s. So you have people that are looking for a stylish vehicle at a reasonable price -- and in that sense, the Camaro has it all over the Mustang which explains the sales dominance for the past year.

Face it, stylistically, the Mustang hasn't changed all that much since 2004. Sure, there was the redesign a few years ago, but the overall look is still pretty much the same.

Now with regards to the interior, I agree. The Mustang has a better interior, but muscle car buyers aren't typically interested in dashstrokability.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Shane McGlaun (blog) on 3/3/2011 10:43:09 AM , Rating: 2
The redesign to the S197 platform was in 2005, 04 was totally different from what we have now. The 10-12 cars are very different from the 09 down cars, all the body panels save the greenhouse are different, even the windows. 05-09 Mustangs are more 65-66 stylistically and the 10-12 cars are more 68-70. Anyway, I like Camaros OK, but I find the Mustang better looking. To each their own, someone has to buy the ugly, overweight, boring cars.


By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2011 10:50:04 AM , Rating: 2
Ahem, the '05 Mustang came out in 2004 ;)

As for the styling, all of the exterior body panels are different, but there's no mistaking that the overall look from '09 to '10 isn't as dramatic as the '04 to '05 model year body style switch.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By theapparition on 3/3/2011 1:55:17 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
To each their own, someone has to buy the ugly, overweight, boring cars.

Exactly why I buy Corvettes instead of those ugly, overweight bricks Ford sells.

Thanks for being the wingman and taking up with ugly. ;)


By JediJeb on 3/9/2011 6:14:49 PM , Rating: 2
If a Corvette could be had for $30k then I would agree, but since it can't I would choose the Mustang. Now if Ford would just release the new version of the Cobra (like used in the second triple X movie) then I think we would have a challenger.


By Omega215D on 3/3/2011 5:39:34 AM , Rating: 2
This makes me wonder on their Rally status. As an up and coming rally driver I'd hate to see this sport go if car manufacturers are pulling their practical sport cars out of the market (yes they are practical compared to the pricier alternatives).

Damn hippies indeed (as stated by previous poster).

*did you know there's a hippie racing in Formula and now in Nascar? All to promote being green...


By YashBudini on 3/6/2011 4:39:55 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Competition is not the only thing that breeds innovation..


So did CAFE standards. Anything with a clear goal and deadline does that.


RE: and Subaru prevails once again...
By Iaiken on 3/3/2011 10:48:24 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Who will give the STI competition?


In motorsport? Subaru vastly overstates their motorsports bravado and are basically living in 2002-2005. Since then, Ford and Citroen have completely taken over and dominated the manufacturers standings in WRC pretty much ever since then.

Things have gotten so bad for Subaru that even ProDrive (long time manufacturer of Subaru WRC cars) has jumped ship and is now fielding cars based on the Mini Countryman.

When it comes to Rally America, you'll notice that it was dominated by Subaru and Mitsubishi only because these were the founders of the series. They put up as many barriers to entry as they could to stop others from joining a series that was 'dominated' by these two 'competitors'.

When Ford entered last year, they won every single race they participated in. Both Mits and Subie moved to bar Ford from 2011 competition through rule and design changes, but Ford made the changes and is again dominating the series with their Fiesta RS since season opener.

quote:
am I wrong here?


Only about Subaru being competitive. The only advantage they offer is that you can't buy AWD Fiestas in rally trim unless you have half a million dollars, a FIA Rally license and Ford's approval.


By Keeir on 3/3/2011 10:40:15 PM , Rating: 2
For the 2011 WRC rules, only 3 manufactures make Rally cars. Subaru hasn't really bothered to compete since the 2006 rule changes and stopped entirely in 2008

Unfortunely this is what seems to happen to all the great racing series. Petty rule changes conspire to essentially make it a two or three horse race and the cars no longer come close to resembling.

quote:
When Ford entered last year, they won every single race they participated in. Both Mits and Subie moved to bar Ford from 2011 competition through rule and design changes, but Ford made the changes and is again dominating the series with their Fiesta RS since season opener.


I am confused. In the 2010 National Rally America Events (6) a 2009 Fiesta car competed in all 6. It won the one time it finished, true. But DNF on 5/6 is not really what I would call dominating. In the 2011 National Rally America Events, a 2011 Fiesta car won the 2WD opener. I am not really sure what you mean by "dominating"....

Considering the amount of changes that the Rally systems allow, Rally results are getting to the point they mean the same thing as NASCAR results.


By Hiawa23 on 3/3/2011 7:45:42 PM , Rating: 2
Noooooooooooooooooooooo! The EVEo was my dream car, but back in 2006, it was way out of my price range so I settled for the Lancer Ralliart 2.4L. I had hoped that one day I would be able to afford the EVO the old body style as it's my favorite car. Oh well...


By Spivonious on 3/4/2011 8:00:33 AM , Rating: 2
Focus ST next year? There aren't too many rally cars available in the U.S. anymore.


First the 3000GT...
By Jaazu on 3/3/2011 5:31:31 AM , Rating: 2
and now the Evo?? I prefer to think of Mitsu as the Commodore of the car world. Some very cool products, with some god awful marketing and business strategy behind them.




RE: First the 3000GT...
By mmcdonalataocdotgov on 3/3/2011 7:41:36 AM , Rating: 2
and also some god awful products.

I am ashamed to admit that I owned an Eclipse (before I realized it was a chick car). The ECU's had corrosive capacitors so that if one leaked, you had to replace the entire ECU. Those went for $900 a piece in the late 1990's. It also used to lose its side windows since they would fall off their track, and you had to constantly open the door panel to put them back. The rear hatch hydraulic supports would fail, so that when you opened the hatch you had to hold it open with your head. The AC system had a bad drain... well, to the outside of the car. It would drain very well into the passenger foot well (when you made a left turn. Great fun). After one Summer road trip I had to sponge several inches of water out of the back seat foot wells. The head gasket finally split (with less than 140K), and I have never even considered getting another mitsu. I am glad to see them go.


RE: First the 3000GT...
By Aikouka on 3/3/2011 11:09:40 AM , Rating: 3
I owned a '91 DSM and it isn't nearly as terrible of an experience as you're putting forth. First off, when I purchased mine, it had a bad cap on the ECU. All I did was desolder the capacitor, buy one of the same spec and solder it back on. The ECU worked fine after that. As for the hatch... eventually products wear down... you have to replace them. Yes, when I got mine used, the hatch would not stay up. I paid the $20 or whatever it was to buy new pneumatic rods for it, and it was fine.

As for the 4G63, it as quite a good engine overall. That car was actually quite a bit of fun... I miss it sometimes :(.


RE: First the 3000GT...
By mmcdonalataocdotgov on 3/3/2011 12:08:38 PM , Rating: 2
Mine was a terrible experience. Your's might not have been. In any event, in 35 years of owning cars and motorcycles, I have never once had to solder anything to keep the car running or to make sure it didn't stop running - certainly not a $35 circuit board that had a 2700% mark up. Eclipses were notorious for the rear door hydraulics failing (read some of the forums of the era - probably still true). I have never had a hatchback hydraulic fail, and I owned an 84 Escort hatchback!


RE: First the 3000GT...
By EricMartello on 3/5/2011 4:09:37 AM , Rating: 2
You had a terrible experience because you're a moron. If you paid full price to have the ECU replaced when all you needed to do was re-solder a $3 radio shack capacitor, yeah...moron...so don't complain. All cars have some problems that need to be dealt with.

BTW There are no "hydraulics" holding up the rear hatch. They are called pneumatic springs. They are filled with gas - a lot like your head.


RE: First the 3000GT...
By tallcool1 on 3/3/2011 12:35:43 PM , Rating: 2
I had bought a 1990 Talon TSi AWD new in 1990, I put 245K miles on that car, motor was never rebuilt. Would drag race it occasionally on the weekends. That car was extremely reliable. Maybe I got lucky, or just maintained it well, not sure. The original water pump didnt go until it hit just over 200k miles on it. With a 16G turbo on it and some other mods like exhaust, manual boost controller, etc, that car was running low 12's in the quarter mile. I had that car for 15years and put 245k miles on it before I sold it and used the money as a down payment on an EVO IX. The reliability of the Mitsu 4G63 engine was great. My Talon still was running the original charge on the AC unit, it never ever leaked, no problems with it or the drain. The ECU in these cars did have a problem with the leaky capacitors, but that was an easy fix with a soldering iron and new caps (cheap through digikey).

It was a great car, at least that was my experience.
If you bought one second hand, then maybe your milage may very depending on what the previous owner did or didn't do to maintain the car before hand.


RE: First the 3000GT...
By Aikouka on 3/3/2011 5:24:18 PM , Rating: 2
I had a '91 Eagle Talon TSi AWD that I bought as a fixer-upper and let me say... you're not kidding about the "depending on what the previous owner did" part. On the car I got, the original owner actually blew a piston through the cylinder and out the side of the engine! Finding a good replacement 4G63T wasn't an easy task and I ended up using a JDM.

The DSM line certainly wasn't perfect (leaky caps, failing pneumatic arms, etc), but overall, (at least in my opinion) the cars weren't too bad! It's unfortunate that they ended up changing the later model Eclipses so much.


RE: First the 3000GT...
By kidboodah on 3/6/2011 7:26:17 PM , Rating: 2
Funny, cause I had the exact same problems with my 1995 Eclipse. First, my gas door would stop opening because the little clip kept falling off. Then the rear hatch door hydraulics failed. Then I kept finding my passenger side carpets wet under the seat (I guess that was the AC culprit). My head gasket blew around 120k...then finally my transmission died around 170k. Got my Maxima at that point which I've loved.


Mitsu Is DONE
By btc909 on 3/3/2011 2:58:09 AM , Rating: 2
The most well known Mitsu product is gone, the Outlander was severely neutered in its most recent model, always known poor reliability, this company is done in the states.
With no competition the STI prices will continue to climb.




RE: Mitsu Is DONE
By AssBall on 3/3/2011 7:32:13 AM , Rating: 3
No they are not. Do you know how many times the Pajero/Montero has won the Dakar rally? They can build cheap stuff if needed or kick ass stuff if needed.

Mitsubishi is one of the biggest industrial equipment products companies in the world. They make everything from diesel electric drilling oil rig engines to microelectronics.

They ain't done by a long shot.


RE: Mitsu Is DONE
By Spuke on 3/3/2011 1:14:14 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
They ain't done by a long shot.
The car company sure is. They should've been forked a long time ago. That said, may the Evo rest in piece.


RE: Mitsu Is DONE
By tallcool1 on 3/3/2011 12:55:49 PM , Rating: 2
Bought my wife a 2005 Outlander, she has now put 95K miles on it, the only problem we have ever had with the car so far was a failed right rear caliper. What I find amazing is how much rear leg room that car has compared to other models in its catagory.


NOOOO...
By HolgerDK on 3/3/2011 3:27:07 AM , Rating: 3
<Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader>
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
</Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader>




RE: NOOOO...
By FITCamaro on 3/3/2011 12:30:38 PM , Rating: 2
I'm laughing.


RE: NOOOO...
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 3/3/2011 12:37:35 PM , Rating: 2
Hey, didn't GM kill the GTO... ;)


RE: NOOOO...
By FITCamaro on 3/8/2011 2:54:46 PM , Rating: 2
And replaced it with the G8.

Most people view the GTO as a failure. In fact it sold more than they anticipated. They only planned to build it for 3 years initially and sell a certain amount (I forget the number right now). They actually had to build more than planned to meet demand.

If you're lucky enough to have a G8 GXP, you have one awesome and rare car.


dual gas/electric power?
By rika13 on 3/3/2011 6:35:39 AM , Rating: 2
Mitsu did have a concept car for the Eclipse that used a 200HP FWD gas engine and a 260HP RWD electric motor. I could forsee something like that being brought back




By Amiga500 on 3/3/2011 3:56:39 AM , Rating: 1
HHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOO

F**KIN BBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Not happy. Wonder if the idiot that decided this will get the boot when they end up losing money over it?

Unlikely - they'll probably get promoted for their incompetence.




Hippies
By n00bxqb on 3/3/2011 4:15:13 AM , Rating: 1
This is what happens when we let the hippies win ...




"We’re Apple. We don’t wear suits. We don’t even own suits." -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs











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