Mitsubishi 380 2005 News

The supercharged TMR 380, built to star at last year's Sydney Motor Show, is almost ready for the road, but still needs the green light from Adelaide. Mitsubishi Motors Australia is keen to push the TMR into production, but needs to ensure it can be certified and profitable before a final decision. Budgets also need to be approved from Japan. And the 380 project needs to be integrated into a bigger strategic plan to give Mitsubishi a full-scale special vehicles division, bringing it up to speed against Ford, GM Holden and, from later this year, Toyota. "We want to build the car. We are working on the plan to make it happen," Mitsubishi Motors Australia managing director Rob McEniry says. "I would like to have a decision by Easter. Originally, I wanted to have an announcement at the Melbourne Motor Show in March but we've run into a few snags. I would still rate it as better than a 50:50 chance — no, much better than 50:50. "That car, plus some other vehicles we would like to bring to the full range, adds an emotional value and an aspiration value to the brand. We've had that before, but only in very limited appeal with the Lancer Evo. "There has been no opportunity for people to step back to another car at Mitsubishi. If you look at Ford or Holden, they have the HSV and FPV cars, but you can also step back to an XR Falcon or SS Commodore. We also need to have that ability." The 380 show car was built by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart under the direction of rally team boss Alan Heaphy, with a Sprintex supercharged engine producing 230kW and a range of upgraded mechanical components, including the brakes taken from the Lancer Evo. It also has a bodykit, vented bonnet and lowered suspension. McEniry is aware of the overall need to move into special vehicles at Mitsubishi, not just a single car like the TMR 380. "This is an important part of trying to change the perception of the brand. We don't want to be a grey-cardigan company," he says. "We need to appeal to more than just fleet buyers, which has been the traditional situation at Mitsubishi. I think today we need to appeal to youth. "One of the reasons we brought out the Ralliart Colt and the Cabriolet was to appeal to a younger, broader and more emotionally based consumer group." McEniry's special-vehicle plan is still being assessed and includes such basics as whether it will be run by an outside company or from inside MMAL in Adelaide. But he is keen to get the TMR 380 moving and believes it should be in showrooms in the second half of the year. "Because it is off-the-shelf parts and we've continued to refine and develop those parts, it will probably be ready by the third or fourth quarter this year," he says. "It's not a signed-off project yet, but our plan is to move towards approving it and getting it into production as soon as we can."

And the company has hinted it may end up in production, depending on customer reaction. The TMR 380 has been tricked up by Mitsubishi rally team Ralliart. They have plonked a 220kW supercharged engine under the bonnet and added a range of suspension improvements for better handling. Cosmetic improvements include fitting larger wheels and tyres and adding an edgy body kit that includes side skirts, grilles and a bonnet scoop. The interior is modified by the addition of some Lancer Evolution items. Adding the Sprintex supercharger to the normal 3.8-litre engine has Mitsubishi boasting 31 per cent more power and 29 per cent more torque. It is claiming the car will go from 0-100km/h in six seconds and 0-400m in 14 seconds. It has a five-speed manual gearbox. "The car is shown to test reaction with show-goers with a view to possible introduction in the future," a Mitsubishi spokesman says.

AMWU South Australian state secretary John Camillo said tonight he had been told a leaked draft document titled "Project Pheonix" was not a policy of the car maker. The report, outlining a secret plan for closing Mitsubishi's operations in Australia, was made public tonight on ABC Television's 7.30 Report. Mr Camillo said he first became aware of the leaked document when contacted by an ABC journalist several weeks ago, and this led him to contact senior management at Mitsubishi. "The senior executive of Mitsubishi made it quite clear to us that, while they've done quite a few projects, there is no decision to close the Mitsubishi operation," Mr Camillo said. The car maker has 1,600 workers at its assembly plant, in Tonsley Park, in Adelaide's South, and Mr Camillo said these workers had received recent assurances from the company that their jobs were sound. "If they (Mitsubishi) are dishonest, those workers will get to know that and the union will be extremely annoyed if that is the case," he said. "If they try to hide those things, sooner or later it comes out in the open ... and it only makes it very very hard for Mitsubishi in Australia if that is the case." Mr Camillo said he had called Mitsubishi tonight following the program and was awaiting a return call. The draft document, which was stamped confidential and dated September 6 this year, listed Mitsubishi Australia's chief executive Robert McEniry as the leader of Project Phoenix, the ABC reported. It set out three possible dates for closure: February or October 2007 or March 2008. It also said an announcement would be made just four months before the closure date, and the company would create the illusion of business as usual by continuing to place small orders for stock until one month before closure was announced. According to the ABC, the document said ceasing local production was "inevitable" as sales of its locally made 380 sedan had failed to meet expectations and that Mitsubishi would remain in Australia only as an importer of vehicles. The South Australian and federal governments would receive unofficial notice one month before the announcement, not the three to four months requested in case they leaked the closure plan to the media. The unions would receive "no informal pre-notice at all". Federal Treasurer Peter Costello tonight said the government had been in touch with Mitsubishi about the report and had been told the company had no plan to cease production. "I don't believe the contrary is true because Mitsubishi has given that information to the government," he told ABC TV. He said the car company's acceptance of the government's multibillion dollar package, which continues until 2015, indicated that Mitsubishi regarded itself as having a long-term future manufacturing in Australia. Mr Costello said he could not confirm the accuracy of the document, but the government would "very much" be concerned if the report was true. "I'd be concerned a, about the industry, b, about the workers and c, that we have been assured to the contrary," he said. "(But) you've got to be very careful with these things - it could be a false lead, it could be someone who's not in a position to make the decision." Mr Camillo said any speculation about the closure of Mitsubishi's Australian operations came as a major blow to workers' morale at the Adelaide assembly plant. "And it is alarming to see that part of that speculation is that there will be no consultation with the union if there is an announcement to close the Mitsubishi operation," he said. AAP

Mr Macfarlane said he spoke to Mitsubishi president and chief executive officer Rob McEniry yesterday and was told the company was not considering any such plan."He assured me that Mitsubishi was not considering a plan to close the plant in Adelaide," the minister said on ABC radio."That assurance has been given to me on several occasions as we have spoken to Mitsubishi over the past 12 months."Now that's cut and dried as far as I'm concerned."His comments follow a report on ABC television last night which said a leaked draft document titled "Project Phoenix" existed which detailed plans to close the Tonsley Park vehicle assembly operations.The draft document, which was stamped confidential and dated September 6 this year, listed Mitsubishi Australia's chief executive as the leader of Project Phoenix, the ABC reported.It set out three possible dates for closure: February or October 2007 or March 2008.It also said an announcement would be made just four months before the closure date, and the company would create the illusion of business as usual by continuing to place small orders for stock until one month before closure was announced.Mr Macfarlane said he could not say if the document existed."But what I can say is that Mitsubishi, as late as 5pm yesterday afternoon, confirmed with me that they were not considering a plan to close their plant in Adelaide," he said.Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) state secretary John Camillo said he had also been told this morning there were no plans to close the plant.But he said the company needed to reassure its workers that their jobs were safe.Those workers had been on an emotional rollercoaster in recent years over persistent rumours and reports the company would shut down, Mr Camillo said.Mr McEniry was unavailable for comment but is due to speak to motoring journalists at a media preview to the Sydney Motor Show tomorrow.Mitsubishi employs about 1600 workers at Tonsley Park which is its only local manufacturing plant following the closure of its engine production facility, also in Adelaide, last year.AAP

In November, the newly released Mitsubishi 380 was judged best in its large car class by the combined motoring clubs of Australia - the RAA, RACQ, NRMA, RACV, RACT, RAC and AA of Northern Territory. The judges said; "Mitsubishi finally has a winning hand after years of spruiking tired models." The significance of Australia's Best Cars awards cannot be understated, with the awards promoted to 6.3 million members throughout the country. "The motoring clubs' opinions are highly respected among their membership and I know that the real world road exercises they put the cars through during their judging is particularly exacting," new Mitsubishi president and CEO Robert McEniry said. "Tom Phillips and his team have every right to be proud of the car they have put into the market place. "The 380 has arguably the most space-efficient interior, more than adequate power tempered with class-leading fuel economy, sporty and agile handling, and levels of refinement and quality previously only found in expensive imported cars. " The team that worked especially hard to bring this car to market, including the factory floor workers . . . have every reason to feel especially proud today that their efforts have been recognised with this prestigious award. "I don't think they (workers) are surprised that we've got the award because they know the work that goes into building the car and they know the car is good . . . this is really the icing on the cake," Mitsubishi's manager of manufacturing, human resources, Alan Harrison said. The judges said the 380 offered plenty on the road. They also rated Mitsubishi's 5/10 warranty as "mighty" and said maintenance, repair and insurance outlays were low. The 380 was judged against the Hyundai Sonata Elite, Ford Falcon XT BA Series II, Holden Commodore VZ Executive and Toyota Camry Altise Ltd for the award. The only other Australian-built car to score in the Australia's Best Cars awards was the Ford Territory Ghia which won Best Recreational 4WD for the second year in a row.

Due to a late release, however, Ford's BF Falcon did not make it into contention; the older BA was judged instead. Just how much does this mix things around?Coming in fourth in the Best Car stakes, and with neither a Lumina nor Executive available for this comparison, the Commodore misses out as CARSguide rates Australia's leading family cars.PriceThe Sonata (Elite) comes in below the other two at $34,490 for the auto. The Falcon XT in auto is $35,880, the 380 in auto is $35,990.It is here that it must be noted why the Elite (the top-spec model) is in. The Sonata's price and specification levels make it a tough competitor in this group.EngineAll three cars feature a six-cylinder engine. The BF takes out the power stakes with 190kW, the 380 has 175kW, the Sonata 173kW. Talking torque, the Falcon again dominates with a solid 383Nm, the 380 is next with 343Nm then the Sonata with 304Nm.But this is all mixed up when power-to- weight ratios are looked at. The Sonata and the XT end up with the same power-to-weight ratio (9.1kg per kilowatt), the 380 marginally higher at 9.5kg per kilowatt.On the road, the Falcon is punchy throughout most of the rev range and the Sonata is also responsive. The 380 is a bit doughy when compared to the other two but has plenty of power nonetheless. The Sonata has a Euro 4 compliant engine, the other pair are Euro 3.TransmissionsBoth the 380 and the Elite scored high with five-speed automatics. The BF only has a four-speed auto. All three have the option of manual shifting. All three have smooth gear changes, the 380's probably slightly better.Driving dynamicsOn ride, handling, braking, noise and vibration, Sonata and the XT both give comfortable rides but the Sonata lost out in the handling department with light steering that gets kickback and is vague on turn-in.The 380 and the BF both handle well, although it comes down to personal tastein the front-wheel drive versus the rear-wheel drive debate. The XT has the quietest ride.Fuel economyThe Sonata uses 10.1 litres of fuel every 100km, the most miserly of the trio, but it must be stressed here that less than one litre every 100km separates them.SafetyThe Sonata again gained top marks. All three get standard driver and passenger front airbags. The Sonata adds curtain airbags and a standard electronic stability program and the 380 has side airbags as standard. Both the Falcon and the Elite have a traction control system as standard fitment whereas the 380 does not. All have standard ABS brakes, the XT and 380 add electronic brakeforce distribution.Exterior stylingThe Sonata rates well here, with a more aggressive stance, bigger wheels and its dual rear tail pipes. The 380 has some nice angles on the road but the front is not its best side.The BF is a little bland, with not much change from the once-radical BA.The Sonata has 17-inch alloys (and also has an alloy spare), while the 380 and BF wear 16-inch steel shoes.InteriorFor comfort, space and practicality, the Elite is the only one to have a leather interior; the Falcon gets velour, the 380 cloth.For interior looks, it's a battle between the Sonata and the BF. The 380's interior is fresh-looking but there were a few quality issues.Vibration-deadening material has dislodged from the gap between the dash and the side of the car on both sides, leaving a sticky ugly strip. The side seat-plastic fell off and the CD player became stuck with a CD in it. All three have plenty of rear leg room.In terms of practicality, though, the 380's lack of split-folding rear seats is a disadvantage when compared to the other two, with just a small hatch to put long objects through. The BF has split-folding rear seats but while it hasn't much of a full-size opening from the boot it is much larger than the 380's.The Sonata's boot is the largest and the most practical. It is the only one with full split-folding rear seats (lockable) and also has a lining on the boot lid. The hinges are non-intrusive on all three.Standard featuresThis is the section where the Sonata excels. All three have standard airconditioning and power mirrors. The BF misses out on standard rear power-windows ($470). The Sonata has one-touch driver's window raising as well, not just lowering.The BF's wheel is the most comfortable, albeit a little fat. The 380's wheel is too skinny, while the Sonata's wheel makes the hands feel sweaty. But it is the only one that is reach adjustable. Sonata and BF have steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The 380 also features stereo mounted controls which are located at the back of the wheel.Sonata features in-dash six-CD, the others a single-disc player. Sonata also has rear parking sensors, fog lights and grip mats on all the cupholders.WarrantyThe 380 was tops here, with a five-year warranty, combined with 10 years' warranty on the drivetrain (up to 130,000km) and five-year roadside assistance. Hyundai offers five-year/130,000km new car warranty on the Sonata, Ford a three-year/100,000kmwarranty and roadside assistance.VERDICT:Total scores: Sonata 74/80, XT Falcon 69/80, 380 64/80. Even though the driving dynamics suffered against the other two, with high levels of safety, comfort and good engine and transmission package, Elite tops the tree. BF also offers a good package, but lacks a five-speed box. The 380 is still well above average but suffered in standard features, lack of traction control and no split-fold rear seats.