Mitsubishi Lancer News

Iconic badges to return? Mitsubishi Lancer and Montero nameplates trademarked in the US suggest Nissan Patrol twinned Pajero and Nissan Leaf relation are coming
By John Law · 25 Jun 2024
Consigned to the history books when production for Australia ceased in 2017, it looks like Mitsubishi could breathe life into the Lancer badge again with a new electric car. Meanwhile, Montero was the Pajero’s name in the United States and Latin America as ‘pajero’ is a derogatory term in Spanish. New patent filings in the US (following Mitsubishi’s renewed interest in the market after strong sales), suggest the Lancer Sportback and Montero (Pajero) names could return.Don’t expect another Lancer Evolution, or necessarily a direct Pajero/Montero replacement. The Eclipse Cross was, after all, a decent small SUV but a rather mediocre tribute to the nameplate’s sporting heritage. Though there were no passenger cars previewed in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 teaser, the Lancer Sportback name could apply to one of the smaller SUVs pictured in the shadowy line-up.If the Lancer Sportback does come to fruition, it’s to do so as an electric car. With Mitsubishi and Nissan’s alliance partnership, there are rumours a 10th-gen Lancer could share a platform with the next-generation Leaf. First, though, the name will have to get past the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as the trademark was initially rejected in the country. Mitsubishi has since appealed. Next up it is the Montero nameplate, also recently patented in the United States. Rumours of a new Pajero as a halo for the brand have been running for a number of years now with the nameplate being retired following the closure of Mitsubishi's Sakahogi plant in March 2021.The most plausible option for the new Pajero is a platform shared with Nissan’s ‘Y63’ Patrol, which will be based heavily on the Infiniti QX80. Expect Mitsubishi’s take to be differentiated, potentially by a plug-in hybrid powertrain.Far from ignoring and dispelling rumours, Mitsubishi executives in Australia and Japan have gone on record saying they would love to see the Pajero again."I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product."For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here,” local CEO Shaun Westcott previously told CarsGuide. Along with the newly stoked Montero/Pajero and Lancer rumours, Mitsubishi is facing a large-scale product renewal in the coming years. A new pick-up truck larger than the Triton for the United States, potentially a global Delica off-road van, hardcore Outlander and more are expected.
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10 long-gone cars, SUVs and utes still sold outside of Australia: Where old favourites such as the Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Patrol Safari and Toyota Starlet still exist
By Byron Mathioudakis · 28 Apr 2024
Here are the popular models no longer available in Australia that are living an extended or second life elsewhere.
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Holden Commodore, Mitsubishi Lancer, Honda CR-X and other cars that deserve a new beginning | Opinion
By Stephen Ottley · 29 Mar 2024
Easter is a time of rebirth and new beginnings, and naturally that turns our mind to cars (what can I say, we have a one-track mind).
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Say goodbye to passenger cars! Mitsubishi Australia believes hatchbacks and sedans 'are history'
By Tung Nguyen · 07 Jun 2022
If you were holding out hope for a new-generation Mitsubishi Lancer sedan or Mirage and Colt hatchback, unfortunately, we've got some bad news for you.Speaking to CarsGuide, Mitsubishi Motors Australia boss Shaun Westcott said the local market has well an
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Is this the end of the small car as we know it? Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai i30 and other small hatchbacks could be endangered as buyers switch to SUVs
By Tim Nicholson · 23 Dec 2021
Small passenger cars like hatchbacks and sedans have, traditionally, been one Australia's favourite vehicle types.However, according to sales figures, small passenger cars could eventually become a thing of the past.It's a huge turnaround given the popula
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Starion still on Australian executives' wish list
By Laura Berry · 02 Nov 2021
Mitsubishi has decided to now only make and sell SUVs and utes, but that doesn’t mean a return of the Lancer, Starion or a new sports car isn’t off their wish list, a company senior executive has revealed.
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Ford Territory, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Brumby, Mazda 3 MPS and other memorable cars that should return
By Stephen Ottley · 29 Aug 2021
Finding a nameplate that resonates with customers is one of the great challenges for a car company - which is why they never like to let them go. 
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2023 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo XI shapes up! New Subaru WRX STI rival imagined - but is a different electric Evolution on the way instead?
By Justin Hilliard · 01 Jun 2021
Mitsubishi has been open about its intentions to have a high-performance future, and now we’ve been given our best look yet at what it could look like: the eagerly anticipated Lancer Evo XI
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Mitsubishi classics on the rise after successful auction of Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen Edition, Galant, Pajero and others
By Neil Dowling · 15 May 2021
A world record price of £100,100 ($A181,180) for a Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition in the UK may set the scene for rising prices of other Mitsubishi WRC cars in Australia, says Shannons Auctions.The Evo VI, with only 10,000 miles (16,000km) on t
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