Mitsubishi Lancer 2005 News

Lancer and Evolution models are now being recalled as a precautionary measure by Mitsubishi because of Takata airbag shrapnel risk.

The Lancer has a 3.9 per cent slice of the sub-$40,000 small-car market, but faces off against a dominant Mazda3 with 18 per cent share, and the Toyota Corolla with 16.5 per cent. The small-car sector is virtually static in sales -- up just 0.9 per cent year-to-date -- but the buyer demand for compact, fuel-efficient cars means there are no signs of the sector weakening. Luring buyers with the value flag is the Mitsubishi ‘Special Action Model’ - or SAM - that gets a $19,990 drive-away price for a manual sedan based on the entry-level 2.0 litre ES model. SAM comes with metallic paint, choice of four colours, 16-inch five-spoke alloys, Ralliart front bumper and grille, VRX high-rise boot spoiler and extra bling. Mitsubishi has announced its “compact sedan” concept will become the next Lancer, but it could be three years away. The SAM is one of the special-edition models designed to maintain sales ahead of this next generation.  

One Brisbane company plans to begin selling the converted new cars next year from $48,990.  Deep Green Research (DGR) director Michael Gutteridge says the cars will be more affordable than a Prius hybrid luxury model with cheaper running costs and better performance. They will come with a reversing camera, parking sensors, GPS, Bluetooth capability, five-star crash rating, five-year warranty and a swappable battery that snaps in and out and costs about the same as a "swap-and-go" gas bottle. Gutteridge even hopes to compete in the Bathurst 12-hour race with a high-performance production model based on a Lancer Evo and costing $115,990.  "We'll have our own financial and insurance packages," he says. "We want to make it as easy as possible to own an electric car." Gutteridge, a former senior scientist in the Queensland resources and mines department, is raising up to $1.5m in capital to begin manufacturing motors and battery boxes, and converting the Lancers in the middle of next year.  He expects to make about 100 in the first full year, doubling every following year and returning pre-tax profit of $40m after five years with a staff of about 30. "Our market survey shows we will have a line-up for cars," he says.  Gutteridge is not yet releasing the name for the new electric vehicles. The small but blossoming Brisbane electric conversion industry began on the back of the University of Queensland's 10-year solar car program.  "Those UQ electrical engineering students formed local businesses such as Tritium and Ultramotive," he says. Tritium developed the controller used in many solar cars around world and updated it for a Honda Civic which DGR is using as a test car.  Ultramotive designed and built the car's motor originally for a solar car, but has upgraded it for the test vehicle. The DGR Civic competed in the 2009 Global Green Challenge last year and consumed power at 85watt-hour/km.  "That's like getting a Commodore to do 1.3 litres per 100km or 217mpg in the old language," Gutteridge says. The base model electric Lancers will be powered by a lithium-ion phosphate battery with range of about 100-140km and the premium models will use a lithium polymer battery with range of 210-315km. Base models will have 124kW of power and 250Nm compared with the petrol Lancer's 113kW/198Nm.  The electric "Evo" model will have 245kW and 500Nm with a top speed of 250-300km/h. Conversion requires the removal and sale of the petrol engine with Evo engines fetching about $7500.  It is replaced with an electric motor, controller and a reduction gear, but the transmission and differential are retained. Although the Civic test car has an automatic transmission, the electric Lancers will have a five-speed manual gearbox that will also operate in second or third around town "like an automatic". There is a simulated clutch and the vehicle will not stall when stopped in gear. Conversion requires only "slight changes" to the suspension and brakes, but DGR adds an electric brake vacuum pump, electric power steering pump and electric airconditioning motor and condenser. The car also gets a DC converter that drops the current from the 450V battery pack to 12V to operate the car's electrical system for airconditioning, lights, audio etc.  There is a charger on board that can charge from a 10amp, 15amp or three-phase power outlet. A full charge from flat will take seven hours on 10amp, but the car will be able to be plugged into two outlets halving the charging time.  Rapid charging can be completed in two hours through three-phase power or one hour if there are two three-phase outlets. "We can even organise an electrician to install the outlets in the garage as part of our package," Gutteridge says.  DGR will have a three-month run-flat assistance program and Gutteride is negotiating to have auto clubs offer a similar service after their program expires. They will also offer to install solar panels on the roof of a customer's garage at $2500 after government rebate.  "The car will pay off installation in the first year of operation in savings on running costs," he says. Gutteridge will follow the new electric cars with second-hand electric Lancers starting from $39,990.  "There will be no electric cars available at that price and spec level," he says. "Our research shows that 75 per cent of potential electric car buyers would be happy with a second-hand chassis, however government fleets will only buy new cars." Gutteridge also plans to produce an electric SUV based on the front-wheel-drive Mitsubishi ASX, a high-powered 4WD electric model to compete against the Porsche Cayenne and a small "Joey" utility similar to a Mini Moke for about $25,000-$30,000. He says there is already interest for the Joey from governments and the Defence Force.  Gutteridge says the Australian Design Rules (ADR) are being re-written to accommodate electric cars, but his vehicles will be available before the rules are completed. "The new ADRs will basically comply with the European standards for electric cars," he says.  "Our intention is to exceed any public ADR standards." DGR also plans to crash test the vehicles and hopes for a five-star rating.  Gutteridge says they will handle servicing in Queensland and sub-contract the task interstate.  "Servicing costs should be about half those of a petrol car," he says.DGR electric cars New prices: $48,990 (base), $54,990 (intermediate with longer-range battery), $67,990 (premium), $115,990 (Evo-based high-performance model) Used prices: from $39,990Motor: Ultramotive AC motorBattery: lithium-ion phosphate (base), lithium polymer (premium)Range: 100-140km (base), 210-315km (premium)Power: 124kW (base), 245kw ("Evo")Torque: 250Nm (base), 500Nm ("Evo")

"In the current economic climate everybody is looking for better value for money without compromise," Mitsubishi Australia president and CEO Robert McEniry says. "The new Lancer line-up lets our customers have this without breaking the bank." The Lancer range, which accounted for almost half of all sales for the triple-diamond brand last month, has been freshened with some minor exterior style changes, more extensive interior freshening and a limited edition RX model (from $21,990) with unique badging and wheel designs to sit beside the entry ES cars. Across-the-range changes include a new-look instrument cluster, improved ETACS (Electronic Total Automobile Control), synchronised windscreen washers, and premium VRX-style tail lamps as standard on all variants. The ES also gets extra storage with a floor console box and the availability of optional side and curtain airbags. Exterior changes to the mid-range VR model include a new chrome upper grille, and alloy wheel design while NVH has been improved with the inclusion of an insulated front windscreen to cut down on road noise. The high-end Rockford Fosgate audio system is also available as an option. The VRX and Aspire also win the sound-deadening windscreen and the premium audi system as standard. ES, RX, VR, VRX and Ralliart models are available with a sedan or Sportback body, with the premium Aspire offered solely as a sedan.

...a chance for you to design your own car.Just imagine you could sit down and pick the best parts of the best cars and put it all together.Plus, Mitsubishi cars have been in Australia since the very early 80’s. In that time that have brought us some extremely popular models including the Magna, Pajero and Lancer.The company is now in what you would describe as a new era.They are no longer making cars in Australia but they look to still have a line up of quality and diverse models.They are also leading the way when it comes to the development of an all electric car. Lenore Fletcher from Mitsubishi Motors Australia will join us for a chat.For all this and a lot more listen to the podcast above.  

The share market is shot, superannuation is in “negative growth” whatever that means, house prices are dropping alarmingly and interest rates look like falling. Where can you make an honest investment dollar these days? Well, art has some attraction but the numbers involved would make plenty of people tremble in their boots.What about collectable classic cars?We have all heard the stories about the six figure Falcon GTHOs and Monaros not forgetting the European thoroughbred classics, some of which go for multi-million dollar prices.But what if you're just an average punter and want to get in on the action.Take a look at Japanese collectable cars - is the advice coming from those in the know.This is because they have the potential for increased value from a relatively low base. And depending on the car (and luck) you could have a tidy little nest egg in the garage, one that you can take out and actually enjoy at your discretion.Christophe Boribon is the National Auction Manager for Shannons Auctions and he has some firm ideas on what cars are good buying with potential appreciation and those that are dead certainties.Chris' named the Toyota 2000GT as the most collectable classic Japanese car in Australia because of its rarity (only eight imported) and the specification of the car. He says a good one will go for between $2-300,000.Hardly accessible to the average punter.But other cars from most Japanese manufacturers operating here are shaping up well at the auctions and as long term prospects.Mazda's 1960s R100 coupe is worth a look at 10 grand according to Chris' as is the original, glass back RX7.“The RX3 is also good buying at $25-35,000 if you can get a good one and it should appreciate if looked after,” Chris' said.”Then there is the late '90s twin-turbo RX7 and RX7 SP - a locally fettled hotrod that will appreciate because it was a low volume performance car.”“You will pay big dollars for a Mazda Cosmo (up to 100 grand) but the first MX5 is a good proposition for not much money.” He said the SP versions of the later MX5 will be worth more in the long run and even the Japanese turbo model, the SE, should appreciate over time.Toyota has a few potentially collectable models including the late '60s Celica RA23 and TA23 models as well as the rear drive Sprinter 1.6. Celica GT4s should also be good buying if you can find one that hasn't been raced. Honda's most collectable car is the NSX but Chris' says the first S2000 sports cars are worth a look if you can get one that hasn't been thrashed. The tiny S600 and S800 sports cars are good property and even the quad headlight Integra TypeR could appreciate given time.Any Mitsubishi Lancer Evo in reasonable road condition will be worth a punt as a collectable particularly the Evo 6.5 Makinen edition. And if you can get hold of a twin turbo GTO 3000 (non-factory import) it should be a solid investment.Nissan has plenty of collectable cars dating right back to the 1960s. Think Datsun Fairlady sports cars, Datsun 240Z and 260Z coupes and of course the R32 Skyline GTR Godzilla Bathurst winning car - (Australian spec) of which only 100 were imported by the factory. You'll pay about $35,000 for Godzilla these days and it's on the way up for a decent standard one.Subaru has a couple of collectable cars too, the SVX coupe 3.3-litre flat six all-wheel-drive has possibilities and the 22B two door Impreza WRX STi for which you'll pay about $100,000 and going up.Good luck. 

Mitsubishi Motors Australia revealed its Subaru WRX-chasing Lancer Ralliart at the Melbourne Motor Show. The price will probably be about $40,000 when it goes on sale in August. The newest Lancer family member is designed as a stepping stone between the ES, VR, VRX and blistering Evolution X. Mitsubishi president Robert McEniry describes the Ralliart as a “tougher version of the street-model Lancer.” The Ralliart is powered by a slightly detuned version of the 2.0-litre Mivec intercooled and turbocharged engine available in the Evolution X. Despite its lower state of tune, the car still pumps out 177kW and 343Nm and misses little in the way of performance features. It comes with Mitsubishi's twin-clutch sportronic shift transmission (TC-SST) automated manual transmission and full-time AWD with an active centre differential. Visually, the Ralliart has a distinctive front bumper design, rear spoiler and dual exhausts. Apart from the Lancer Ralliart, Mitsubishi will roll out the Lancer Sportback hatch later in the year. The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart has a distinctive front bumper.  

Detroit is like that.Carmakers go all out to make an impact at the first big car show of every year, knowing they have to do something special to achieve a breakthrough at an event that has produced many great concepts and some critical production cars.For 2007, Chrysler had the Nassau, Jeep had the Trailhawk, Chevrolet had the Camaro convertible, Jaguar showed the C-XT, Ford unveiled the Interceptor and Nissan had the wonderfully ugly Bevel — all concept cars.There was also the Holden Efijy concept, which generated a surprising amount of interest.Japan's brands sparked a performance battle with previews of the next Honda NSX, the near-production Lexus LF-1, the Toyota Supra hybrid and the production model of the forthcoming Mitsubishi Lancer X Evo.Mercedes had a four-door S-Class convertible and showcased its 4Matic all-wheel-drive system with an indoor ice-skating rink on its stand that came with an S-Class and GL slip-sliding around to prove that grip and drive and control are possible on even the most slippery surface."It cost a motza. Well into six figures," a Mercedes-Benz spokesman says of the rink.The real bill was more than $1 million, paid direct from Benz headquarters in Stuttgart, but that's not unusual at Detroit.A typical concept costs at least $1 million — though Jaguar says it spent less on the C-XT — and the big carmakers spend upwards of $250,000 on a single stage-managed "reveal" at the show.Cadillac had a classical string quartet and a pair of black rappers with violins. Chrysler had an African drum team. There were rock bands, smoke screens and what looked to be the world's supply of giant plasma screens.But all the staging and showbusiness was still trumped by the cars and the company officials, who talked about design, technology, driving and sales."Detroit has become probably the most important show on the circuit," Jaguar design director Ian Callum says.Expatriate Australian Geoff Polites, who heads Land Rover and Jaguar in Britain, agrees, saying: "If you go back 10 years it was literally a dealer show, but the manufacturers now see Detroit as a significant platform. It is fast becoming the main show in the world."Detroit has also become a global melting pot at which American, European, Japanese and — for the first time — Chinese brands go all-out to impress.It was also the event where General Motors' vice-chairman of product development Bob Lutz gave the official-unofficial go-ahead for plans to export the Holden Commodore SS to the US as the Pontiac G8.Lexus decided to go after the M and AMG divisions at BMW and Mercedes with an IS500.Porsche showed the facelifted Cayenne.Toyota unveiled a giant Tundra pickup — complete with a hot TRD version — to go chasing the Ford and GM trucks that dominate the top end of the sales charts in the US.But which was the most significant car of all."It has to be the GM Volt," the vice-president of industry analysis at AutoPacific, Jim Hall, says.He is a veteran showgoer and one of the most respected analysts in the American car business."This is the world's largest carmaker staking its future on a new technology that it does not own or control. Very brave," he says of Volt.The Volt is a plug-in hybrid that points to a new technology called E-Flex that has the home electricity grid or an on-board engine charging a car's lithium-ion batteries.These provide all the power to drive the wheels, making any E-Flex car into a genuine electric car and a potential rival to the petrol-electric hybrids touted by most other car companies.Detroit produced plenty of talk about showroom comebacks, particularly by GM and Ford — which both regularly post quarter losses in the billions — and future hopes.But was it a great show? Not according to Hall."It was not a good show," he says. "There was only one car that surprised anyone and that was the new production Lexus LF-A. The rest of the stuff was all pretty predictable." SHOW NOTES* The Holden Efijy concept was a huge hit and won some new fans. They include hip hop superstar Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, who has won permission for the retro coupe to star in his next music video.* Several US concepts had Michelin tyres with a hand-cut tread pattern including the North American International Auto Show logo.* When Bill Ford began the Ford presentation he talked about the event celebrating the centenary of the show. "At this show in 1907 my great grandfather announced plans for his T-Model."* There was a lot of talk at the show about cars that can run on E85 fuel. It is an 85 per cent ethanol blend that is being promoted as a green choice throughout the US.* There was a large Australian contingent led by Jaguar-Land Rover boss Geoff Polites and Kevin Wale, who heads GM China. Apart from the fly-ins — everyone from Holden design boss Tony Stolfo and Chrysler chief Gerry Jenkins to GM Holden boss Denny Mooney and Ford president Tom Gorman — they included Michael Bartsch, who is head of sales and marketing at Porsche North America, and Mike Simcoe, the designer in charge of GM operations in the US.