Already shown in different markets with different names, Mitsubishi has now revealed what it will call the Outlander Sport for the North American market. A compact crossover, slotting in under the current Outlander model, the new Outlander Sport is a different vehicle (and not just another trim level), with its own unique style. Interestingly, however, it does ride on the current Outlander platform and actually boasts the same overall wheelbase, even though it is roughly 15-inches shorter in length. The reduced size, therefore, has come from the overhangs, making the Outlander Sport inherently more exciting to drive.

Next week Mitsubishi will launch a new compact crossover in North America called the Outlander Sport. Already unveiled in Japan (as the RVR) and in Europe at the Geneva Auto Show (as the ASX), the new crossover gets yet another name for North America. We have to wonder what the marketing folks at Mitsu are thinking with all these different names, and why they would want to confuse customers with the Outlander Sport name – considering Mitsubishi already sells the Outlander and the Outlander GT (which are completely different models).

After Japanese Mitsubishi-tuner Ralliart announced early this morning that it would shut its doors for good, Mitsubishi wants to clarify that the closure will not affect Ralliart branded Mitsubishi models sold in the United States. According to PR boss Maurice Durand, Ralliart vehicles will continue to be produced and, “this doesn’t mean there won’t be any future Ralliart vehicles either.”

[*UPDATE*] Since the announcement below, we have talked with Mitsubishi USA PR boss Maurice Durand, who assured us that none of the changes will affect Ralliart products in the United States, or likely elsewhere in the world. Durand explained that the Ralliart subsidiary in Japan that makes high-performance and racing products will close its doors, but that that part of the company is separate from the rest. Mitsubishi licenses the Ralliart name to different companies in different markets and while those markets that rely on the Japanese Ralliart products will now need to find a new supplier, in many markets the Ralliart products were already supplied by other outside tuning companies.

In addition, Durand commented that Ralliart vehicles will continue to be produced and that, “this doesn’t mean there won’t be any future Ralliart vehicles either.”

While the news certainly is sad for hard-core JDM tuners, the decision was an economic one as Durand admits, “There just isn’t much of a market for elite high-performance products, especially in Japan right now.” [*UPDATE*]

Mitsubishi-tuner Ralliart has announced that as of April 1st it will close its doors, effectively ceasing operations. In a statement released on the Ralliart website, company President Masao Taguchi blamed the recent economic downturn.

“Because of the sudden change of economy situation since the year before last, the business circumstance surrounding our company radically became worse and so, this time we have reached the conclusion that we Ralliart Inc., would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010. Along with the scale down of our business activities this time, we would cease the following business and operation which we have done so far. We would like to express our sincere apology to all of customers though we would make you much inconveniences.”

Ralliart’s shut down will mean that the tuner, so closely associated with Mitsubishi, and which currently works with Mitsubishi to produce several Ralliart models, will cases supporting its motorsports customers, stop development of new products and terminate communications of new products and news via its website. It is not clear if Mitsubishi will no longer offer Ralliart models or if the Japanese automaker intends to continue Ralliart products as part of a new internal part of the company.

Say it ain’t so.

Official release after the jump:

With Mitsubishi set to bring back the Colt to North America in the near future, we really hope a Ralliart model is also in the plans. While at the Geneva Auto Show we stumbled across such a car and just had to share it.

Mitsubishi displayed the new ASX at the Geneva Auto Show. Leaked photos made their way online last week but we’ve got live images of the crossover, expected in North America as the Outlander Sport.

Images and details of the new Mitsubishi ASX (to be called the Outlander Sport in North America) have leaked online before the car’s Geneva Auto Show debut next week. Several images of the Japanese version of the car have already appeared online (with the ASX called the RVR in Japan), but these photos clearly show a European model.

Thanks to a tip from AutoGuide reader Peter Ms we have plenty more photos and some additional information on Mitsubishi’s upcoming compact crossover. The new model will debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March and is expected to arrive shortly thereafter in North America, slotting in underneath the Outlander in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. A leaked brochure for the new CUV, called the RVR in Japan and the ASX in Europe, gives a more detailed look at the CUV.

Mitsubishi aims to double its sales in the U.S. in the next three years, says Mitsubishi North America Executive VP John Koenig. Last year the Japanese automaker sold just 53,986 vehicles in the U.S., down alarmingly by 44.5 percent compared to 2008. While the recession did hurt the automaker considerably, Koenig believes that much of the loss can be attributed to a heavy focus on fleet sales and a perceived brand instability, with reports that the company would pull out of the U.S. market.

Mitsubishi’s next generation EVO will be a plug-in hybrid. Yup, according to a recent report by Motor Trend, a source inside the company has confirmed the rumors that the EVO XI is going green.

Mitsubishi has announced that it will officially introduce an all new compact crossover at the Geneva Auto Show. Called the ASX for the European market, it will be sold as the RVR in Japan and is expected to be offered in North America in late 2010 as a 2011 model, slotting just below the recently redesigned Outlander.

HKS Kansai Service, a workshop in Japan that is part of the HKS group, had an impressive display of vehicles and products showing off their tuning prowess. Included among them were a previous-generation Skyline R34, a brand new R35 GT-R and EVO X. And let’s not forget the least of the cars on display, a tricked-out Suzuki Swift. HKS is sure to be planning parts for subcompacts like this, with news that Mitsubishi is planning to bring the Swift to North America.

Hard on the brakes I heel-toe and double down in the gears, executing Infineon Raceway’s important Turn 11; a tight late-apex right-hander I had practiced repeatedly just an hour before. My EVO X GSR pushes hard toward the outside wall as I grab third and then fourth, changing over to the other wall at Turn 12 and blasting down the front straight, pushing above the 100 mph mark and heading straight into Turn 1. The track rises up before me like more of an asphalt wall than a hill, gravity working with the EVO’s impressive AWD setup to keep the car balanced as I spy the apex of turn two and hammer the brakes.

Europe’s second largest automaker, French company PSA Peugeot Citroen, is considering purchasing Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors. News of the possible purchase comes from Nikkei English News, and had Mitsubishi’s shares up 13.4 percent in overseas trading.

First shown in concept format the New York Auto Show earlier this year, Mitsubishi has just officially debuted the new 2010 Outlander GT compact crossover at the LA Auto Show.

One of the few remaining Japanese automakers without a hybrid vehicle in its lineup, Mitsubishi brought its new Concept PX-MiEV to the LA Auto Show to let Californians know that it too has the capability and is considering its options. First unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show the PX-MiEV name combines the automakers “MiEV” nomenclature, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, with a new “PX” designation, which stands for Plug-in Hybrid Crossover.

Mitsubishi has confirmed that the new small car it will introduce to North America next year is the Colt. Currently the Colt is in its 7th generation overseas, with some of the past iterations having been sold in North America as Mitsubishis, Dodges, Plymouths and Eagles.

Mitsubishi has already announced plans to bring its electric mini-car, the iMiEV, to North America, but now the Japanese automaker is considering a gasoline version as well. The iMiEV is expected to arrive in the next two years and is now likely to be joined by a gasoline version, allowing dealers to benefit from higher volume sales.

Having already launched in Australia, we have been give a glimpse at what Mitsubishi’s 2010 Outlander GT will look like, but now Mitsu has released a full gallery of U.S.-sec photos, showing the new Outlander in detail. Much of the design for the revised crossover is the same, except for one glaring difference – the front end.

Just last week Mitsubishi announced that it is planning to bring over a smaller Lancer-based crossover to North America and now comes word that the Japanese automaker has yet another new model to debut shortly thereafter. Based on a new global small car platform the car will be smaller than the Colt (shown above), which is currently on sale in both Japan and Europe. Fuel-economy for this new model is important and the engine size could be as large as 1.3-liters or as small as just 1.0-liters. It is not clear if this new model will replace the current Colt (which is in the same class as the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent and Honda Fit) or if it will be more of a mini-car.

With Mitsubishi’s Outlander crossover a relative behemoth in the compact crossover category, the company has announced plans to bring a smaller CUV to market. Like the Outlander, it will be based on the Lancers chassis and its design will follow along the lines of the Concet cX (above), that was first shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2007.

The next iteration of the amazing Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution could be offered as a plug-in hybrid. Due out in 2013, the EVO XI model could use the all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid setup that will officially be unveiled on Wednesday October 21st at the Tokyo Auto Show, reports the U.K.’s AutoCar. For the show, however, Mitsubishi is displaying this new technology in a crossover vehicle called the PX-MiEV Concept.

Mitsubishi has just released details and pricing on the move civilized and luxurious Lancer Evolution MR Touring model and for the first time ever the base MSRP of a Lancer tops the 40k mark. Starting at $40,990, the EVO MR Touring model gets leather Recaros, added soundproofing, a higher resolution digital display and a moonroof. One item has also been deleted from the usual EVO package – the car’s significant sized spoiler. Instead it has been replaced with a subtle lip spoiler.

When concept cars look this road-ready, you can be sure an automaker isn’t just interested in design for design’s sake. Called the Concept PX-MiEV, Mitsubishi will unveil this hybrid crossover concept at the Tokyo Auto Show next month.

Mitsubishi of Australia is the first to show off the 2010 Outlander with its sporty new look. As the automaker not so subtly hinted at with the Outlander GT Prototype at the New York Auto Show, this revised model gets the company’s “jet fighter” grille.

Mitsubishi is increasingly using the EVO-esque grille on more of its models, to not only cohesively brand its vehicles, but to do so under the company’s performance flagship model.

Additional Evo-inspired traits include optional aluminum pedals and a sports steering wheel. More importantly, however, for 2010 the Outlander V6 gets a version of Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system.

We won’t get too far into the details, as the North American Outlander may differ quite a bit. But it does appear as though the styling and addition of S-AWC are the crossover’s two major changes for 2010.

Official release after the jump:

In a brief statement, Chrysler has announced that the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) is now entirely owned by the U.S. automaker, with both former partners, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, having sold their parts of the company.

This may sound like a dull bit of business news, but it could most certainly have a big impact on some of the coolest engines on the planet. Sure, the engines that originated from GEMA have found there way into less exciting vehicles like the Chrysler Sebring, but the same engines have also been the backbone of cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (pictured above) and Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.oT. The high-powered Caliber SRT4 also used a version of a GEMA engine.

Three basic engines have come out of GEMA with displacements of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4-liters, many of which were fitted with turbochargers and superchargers to make as much as 300hp.

There is no word if the end of the GEMA partnership could affect future Hyundai and Mitsubishi powertrain developments, but you can be sure the decision had a lot to do with Chrysler’s new Fiat ownership.

Official release after the jump:

I don’t know about you, but it’s getting somewhat hard of late to pick out an affordable sporty car with a decent amount of character. Sure, there’s the Mustang and the Nissan 370Z, but what else really fits the bill? How about the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder?

If you’re in the market for one of Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Spyders and prefer the control a manual transmission gives you, then act now. Mitsubishi has quietly removed the optional five-speed and six-speed transmissions from its lineup for 2010.

The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School is launching a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driving experience. Participants will be able to get behind the wheel of Mitsu’s amazing new EVO X on one of America’s best race tracks, Infineon.

Along with a classroom component, drivers will be able to pilot the track-ready EVO while they develop their racing technique, car control skills and get some serious speed out on the track.

“Deciding to work with Mitsubishi Motors for The Lancer Evolution program was an easy choice,” said Chip Pankow, president of Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. “We have been using the 4G63 engines in our Lola-built school cars and found them to be exceptionally reliable. The launch of The Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience strengthens our position as the leader in delivering new concepts and deliverables for automotive manufacturers seeking to broaden their customer base.”

Mitsubishi will officially announce the new school program on July 11 at the annual Mitsubishi Owners Day (M.O.D.), held at the Japanese automaker’s Cypress, Ca offices. There will even be a draw for the first seat in the Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience. Jim Russell puts the value at $1,000, but thrashing an EVO X at Infineon is practically priceless.

Official release after the jump:

Mitsubishi has just revealed the production model of its i-MiEV electric car in Japan and it plans to have models on the road by July. Initial sales of 1,400 vehicles will be to government entities with public sales starting in April of 2010.

Oddly, it seems as though Saturn is far more interesting and far more loved as the up-for auction arm of a doomed for bankruptcy company than it ever was as regular old car brand. To date the Penske Automotive Group, automaker Nissan/Renault and investment firm Telesto Ventures have all been cited as potential buyers. Now we can add Mitsubishi to that list.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve driven pretty much all of Mitsubishi’s high-performance Lancers. From the pumped-up Evolution GSR and MR Premium to the more mildly-tuned Ralliart models, they’re all capable of besting some very stout competition.

No matter how cool a U.S.-spec car is, foreign automakers always seem to have an even more impressive and hard-core version for oversea’s markets. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a stellar performer, but in the U.K. apparently there’s a demand foreven more power – 36 more horsepower to be precise.

Named the FQ-330, this new model generates 329hp and gets a bump of 22 ft-lbs of torque for a total of 322 ft-lbs. The added power is acheived through the use of a new high-flow exhaust, a new downpipe, as well as new intercooler piping and a new catalytic converter.

Standard equipment on the FQ-330 includes Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, 18-inch Enkei wheels and Mitsubishi’s amazing double-clutch TC-SST transmission..

Pricing for the new model is set at £35,999 (roughly $56,0000), a £3,000 premium over the standard Evo model. It will be offered in four different colors: Cool Silver, Orient Red, Lightning Blue and Phantom Black.

Official release after the jump:

When is a sports car not a sports car? When it shares a platform with an SUV. That was an expensive lesson for General Motors to learn with its disastrous Chevrolet SSR, so why should Mitsubishi hold out hope that having its Eclipse coupe sharing a platform with the Endeavor soft-roader is a good idea?

People always want what they can’t have. Roughly a decade ago, American car enthusiasts wanted the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution – and they wanted it bad. The fact that Playstation’s Gran Turismo series was selling like hot cakes didn’t help. In 2003, it finally arrived, albeit a little watered down from the home market counterpart. Since then, the Evolution has become a mainstay among the enthusiast community, but for some, its uncompromising performance and harsh ride, not to mention its cop-baiting looks, can mean that this car, for all its grand standing, is perhaps a bit too intense (and expensive) for some.

As promised, Mistubishi pulled back the cover on the Outlander GT Prototype at the New York Auto Show, a concept car that will influence the next generation Outlander “compact” SUV.

Not to be confused with the four-door Ralliart sedan that went on sale last fall, this latest five-door version is scheduled to arrive in the States this September. With an MSRP expected to come in at $27,490, which is only $500 more than the sedan, it’s basically the same car with a more functional hatchback-style rear end.

The next generation Mitsubisi Outlander is due out soon and you can be sure it will look a lot like the Outlander GT Prototype that the Japanese automaker will debut at the New York Auto Show next week.

Mitsubishi’s Outlander is a spirited and versatile sport utility/crossover that does a good job of distinguishing itself from the competition. The Outlander is the most popular selling SUV-like vehicle from the Japanese automaker since the demise of the off-road-capable Montero five years ago and the aging mid-size Endeavor.

With Mitsubishi all set to launch a production version of the i MieV, the company is already looking to the future. According to the i MieV Sport Air Concept, that future might include mini electric sportscars.

If you are under the age of 30 you probably remember the all carbon-fiber EVO VIII that was modified by Japanese tuner HKS.

It’s been a while since that car (the CT230R) claimed the Tsukuba Circuit record with a lap time of 53.589-seconds, but HKS is getting back into the game with a new EVO X, that will also serve as a development mule for the company’s line of EVO X performance products.

Called the CZ200S, this modified EVO X posted a time of 59.495 during initial testing, using Advan Neova AD08 tires, wrapped over some Advan 18×10-inch wheels.

The car also features a completely rebuilt engine with HKS forged pistons and new con rods, as well as HKS V Cam Pro cams. The turbocharger has been upgraded with an HKS prototype GT3240 kit, as well as new intercooler piping an 1,00 cc injectors. Intake and exhaust duties are handled by a Hipermax III Sport exhaust and upgraded cat, as well as an KHS air intake system. Finally, some ECU tuning results in 567hp.

Expect to see many of these prototype products come to market soon.

Official release after the jump:

News has just emerged that Mitsubishi will not be producing a Lancer EVO X for the 2009 model year. Meanwhile, VW has made a similar move stating that the Golf R32 model will also be put on hold until 2010.

Citing the global financial crisis, Mitsubishi Motors has just announced that it will pull out of all cross-country rally races for 2009, including the Dakar Rally. In a statement the company said that, “The sudden deterioration of the global economy made it necessary for the company to focus its resources more tightly.”

The news comes just after Mitsubishi announced it expects to post a 60 billion yen ($674 million) loss for the past fiscal year.

The move away from Dakar is particularly shocking considering the company’s strong presence in the event and its winning history. In 26 entries Mitsubishi has won the Dakar Rally 12 times , including seven consecutive victories from 2001-07.

Involvement in rally racing has also been a major part of Mitsubishi’s engineering and marketing efforts, with this grueling form of motorsports proving to be a valuable format for developing and testing new technologies (particularly 4WD and AWD technologies) – something that Mitsubishi often relies on in it’s advertising efforts.

Mitsubishi now joins the growing ranks of auto manufacturers that have pulled from motorsports over the past few months. Recently both Subaru and Suzuki pulled out of the World Rally Championship, Honda left Formula 1 and Audi announced it would not be competing in the American Le Mans Series.

Official release after the jump:

Mitsubishi plans to continue to promote its i MiEV electric vehicle by launching a more performance-oriented version of the micro-car at the Geneva Auto show this March. Called the i MiEV Sport Air, this concept car is an effort by Mitsubishi to explore the fun side of green motoring.

While in past years we might have handed out praise for the “Best Display” at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, a “Worst Display” nod seems only appropriate for the 2009 show.

As Mitsubishi used the LA Auto Show to showcase its i MiEV electric car, several models were sent out onto the roads of California for real-world testing.

Based on a gasoline-powered version of the same car that Mitsubishi currently sells in Japan, the i MiEV uses a 330-volt lithium-ion battery to power a magnet electric motor. The battery makes 47 kW, which, says Mitsubishi, can move the car quicker than it’s 64hp gasoline sibling.

Because the battery is located low in the car the cabin is spacious and the center of gravity is very low. Mitsubishi says the i MiEV will be able to travel 100 miles on a single charge.

The i MiEV is currently undergoing testing for production and Mitsubishi claims it will be the first “new generation” lithium-ion-powered electric vehicles to hit the market.

Official release after the jump:

Welcome to the AutoGuide.com News Blog, your comprehensive source for breaking automotive news. Our staff of writers and contributors will keep you updated on all aspects of the auto industry, from vehicle unveilings, to concept cars, to news from auto shows, the aftermarket and the world of motorsports.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a pumped up version of the new Lancer. Born out of the original 1981 Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo rally, 10 generations of high-performance Lancer Evolution models have been sold in Japan, Australia and other Asian markets. It was thrust into limited production out of necessity in order to fulfill the WRCs group A 1992 homologation rules. Since then, poor crash test results and safety concerns kept several generations of the Evo out of North America and off our roads. An insufficient front crumple zone had been a major barrier to getting it over here. Mitsubishi worked on the problem for several years and the first U.S.-spec Evo VIIIs started being sold here five years ago.