Straightline

Lace up those Pilotis, friends. Jim Russell Racing School is offering the chance to test in a Williams F1 car. Yes, one of those. 

It goes like this. Jim Russell is holding a driver search at Infineon Raceway from December 19-22. You spend four days driving karts, Mitsubishi Evos and Lola-built open-wheel FJR-50s against 39 other racer hopefuls. From this pool of talent, Allan McNish -- yes, that Allan McNish -- will select two drivers whom each win a seat in the 2010 Jim Russell Championship Series (JRCS).

Winning the 16-race JRCS lands you fully-funded season in the 2011 FIA Formula 2 series. And if you conquer the F2 series, you win a test in a Williams Formula 1 car.

Assuming you've got the chops to pull off this hat trick extraordinaire, this is far and away the most affordable and direct way to (possibly) find yourself behind the wheel of an F1 car. You pay the $7,995 entry fee for the driver search, and... that's it. Everything else would be paid for. According to the Russell gang, the school is giving away $990,000 worth of racing to the winners.

Like all things in racing, though, you gotta be quick--the deadline for entering the driver search is at the end of this month.

All the gory details can be found on the Jim Russell USA website.

Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor 

Continue reading Jim Russell Wants You To Race Formula 1; Putting $990,000 Where Their Mouths Are.

Categories: Mitsubishi,Motorsports,Sports Cars

Let's be clear about something here: The CTS-V Challenge was not, strictly a fair race. It was a publicity stunt. Cadillac acknowledges this. Still, as a publicity stunt, it was a hell of a lot more fun than basically every other car-maker publicity stunt we've attended.

And it's a stunt that a young guy, who claimed to be a Skip Barber school graduate but not a racer, won in his BMW M3. His fast lap of 2:50:424 was the fastest single lap of any driver that wasn't a ringer (Heinricy, Link and Redman). No other CTS-V could touch him.

Here, for the record, are the final lap times of the day:

Mystery Driver (Johnny O'Connell), CTS-V, ringer, 2:45:537

John Heinricy, CTS-V, ringer, 2:46:560

Aaron Link, CTS-V, ringer, 2:48:902

Brian Redman, CTS-V, ringer, 2:49:596

Michael Cooper, BMW M3, private owner, 2:50:424

Jack Baruth, CTS-V, journalist, 2:51:153

Lawrence Ulrich, CTS-V, journalist, 2:53:157

Bob Lutz, CTS-V, The Bob, 2:56:321

Michael Mainwald, BMW M5, private owner, 3:05:398

Wes Siler, Mitsubishi Evo, journalist, 3:08:126

Chris Fairman, CTS-V, private owner, 3:14:292

Archan Basu, Jaguar XF, private owner, 3:15:670

Tom Loder, Audi RS4, private owner, 3:15:702

Categories: Audi,BMW,Cadillac,Jaguar,Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is already building its little i-MiEV electric car, so it's no surprise that another version appeared in concept form at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.

The i-MiEV Cargo, like the i-MiEV, is powered by an electric motor that makes 64 horsepower and has a driving range of nearly 100 miles. But unlike the itty-bitty EV, the Cargo concept has room for you and your stuff.

Mitsubishi hopes to entice small business owners (and maybe an active family or two) into the i-MiEV Cargo, with its nimble size, and easy-to-load flat-floor cargo area.

Kelly Toepke, News Editor

2009 Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo

Categories: Mitsubishi,Tokyo Motor Show

Mitsubishi opened the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show this morning with a few words from its president, Osamu Masuko and Gaya Uesugi, director of product strategy and development.

Masuko spoke about Mitsubishi's future, and how electric vehicles are becoming its "core business," but it was Uesugi who translated the statement into hard numbers, saying "by 2020, 20 percent of Mitsubishi's products will be EV/PHEV."

With that tough goal in mind, Mitsu unveiled its PX-MiEV Concept (can you say next-generation Outlander?), what Uesugi says is a "simple style for the new generation of crossovers."

The PX stands for "plug-in hybrid crossover," while MiEV stands for "Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle."

The plug-in hybrid concept comes with a 1.6-liter DOHC gas engine and has front and rear wheels that are powered by two motors, and the PX's battery can be used to power household electricity, or as a generator during emergencies.

For those worried about becoming too comfortable behind the wheel, the PX's "cocochi" interior includes fabric that "breaks down allergens and fights off fatigue."

Kelly Toepke, News Editor

2009 Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV Makes World Debut

Categories: Mitsubishi,Tokyo Motor Show

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're introducing a new feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT the Evo of crossovers? Not really. There's no dual-clutch transmission and no turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood either. So what makes it a GT?

Well, it does have a slightly more powerful version of Mitsubishi's 3.0-liter V6, not to mention a set of sizable 18-inch wheels and tires at each corner. The rest of the GT's upgrades are largely cosmetic, like the new Evo-inspired nose and contrasting interior stitching.

So how does the more powerful engine and extra grip of the 18-inch wheels and tires help? See for yourself in our latest report from the test track.

Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT.

Categories: Mitsubishi

Back at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, Mitsubishi showed a Lancer-based crossover SUV that was smaller than the production Outlander. It was called the cX. This is the production version of Mitsu's compact crossover.

It still doesn't have a real name but sources close to the project say it will go on sale in Japan soon. It's also a go for the European market later in 2010, and the production version will be at the Geneva Auto Show next spring. And the U.S.? We hear we're still a maybe.

The more extravagant show-car aspects of the original cX have been relaxed in favor of a more conventional package with strong Lancer overtones -- the corporate grille is impossible to miss. The size of this prototype appears to place the cX in the crosshairs of the Nissan Rogue.

The concept cX had a 1.8-liter turbodiesel four, rated at 134 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 207 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm, which we imagine the European production version will get. For Japan (and maybe the U.S.), though, either the global 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline inline-4 is more likely. The optional all-wheel-drive system should be similar to the Outlander's. 

It still needs a proper name, though.

Another photo after the jump.

Continue reading Spy Photos: Mitsubishi cX Crossover.

Categories: Crossovers,Mitsubishi,SUVs,Spy Photos

Like we've said, Japanese buyers love vans. Scheduled to debut in Tokyo, the Mitsubishi i MiEV Cargo is based on the i car, the tiny but neatly packaged, rear-drive, rear-engine, 4-passenger car that Mitsubishi offers in the kei class. The i MiEV is the electric version of the i car, which we've driven. It's already in production in Japan, and Mitsubishi announced at this year's New York Auto Show that it plans to bring it to the U.S. as well. (We'll have to wait and see on that one.)

So the i MiEV Cargo is the cargo van version of the i MiEV evidently aimed at contractors with a green conscience. Or, perhaps, contractors wanting a tax break. It's the same idea (only smaller) as the electric Transit Connect that Ford is preparing, and claimed range is similar: 100 miles.

We rather like the camper-conversion-like appearance of the i MiEV Cargo, and by Mitsubishi's measurements, it offers over 60 cubic feet of cargo space -- quite a lot for a van that's only 134 inches long and 58 inches wide and laden with lithium-ion batteries. For perspective, the i MiEV Cargo has the same wheelbase as a U.S.-spec Nissan Cube but is about 20 inches shorter and 9 inches narrower.

The i MiEV Cargo's rear-drive electric motor is good for a claimed 63 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque.

More photos after the jump.

First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi i MiEV

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi i MiEV Cargo.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Green Tech,Minivans,Mitsubishi,Tokyo Motor Show

Mitsubishi's PX-MiEV looks a bit like the production Outlander SUV, and dimensionally, the two are fairly close (177.5-inch overall length, 103.5-inch wheelbase and 61.5-inch track for the concept). But the PX-MiEV is a plug-in hybrid and in concept bears similarities to production Toyota hybrids and the Subaru's Hybrid Tourer concept.

It has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine up front, as well as a front-drive electric motor and a rear-drive electric motor. Together, the motors are good for 80 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, according to Mitsubishi, and together, they effectively create four-wheel drive, albeit in the unconventional, wait-there's-no-center-differential sense.

Rated at 114 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque, the gas engine can either help drive the front wheels (like a parallel hybrid) or work as a generator (like a series hybrid -- Chevy Volt) to power the electric motors. Its generating capacity is 70 kW, says Mitsu. You can also plug in the PX-MiEV to restore charge to the lithium-ion batteries, and it has the same variable-current charging system as Mitubishi's limited-production i MiEV electric car.

Mitsubishi also makes the interesting observation that when you're not driving the PX-MiEV, you can use its stored electricity to power home appliances -- useful if a storm knocks the power out.

The company claims an overall fuel consumption figure of 50 km/liter (117 mpg), which is probably very theoretical.

More details and photos of the PX-MiEV's cabin after the jump.

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi PX-MIEV Concept.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Crossovers,Green Tech,Hybrids,Mitsubishi,SUVs,Tokyo Motor Show

Updated

Yesterday Chrysler officially ended the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA), the alliance under which it, Hyundai and Mitsubishi developed the architecture for the 1.8-liter, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines now used in cars like the Dodge Caliber, Kia Forte and Mitsubishi Lancer.

Hyundai and Mitsubishi have sold their interests in the Dundee, Michigan, plant. In actuality, neither Hyundai/Kia nor Mitsu has ever used a Dundee-sourced engine in any of its cars, Auto Observer reports. Each company has plants in its respective home market that can build the GEMA-developed engines. So, to date, the Michigan plant has only built four-cylinder engines for the Caliber, Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Jeep Compass/Patriot.

With this announcement, Chrysler has now ended all development/manufacturing alliances with other manufacturers. If it weren't for Fiat, it would be all alone out there.

Auto Observer: Hyundai, Mitsubishi Out of Chrysler Engine-Making JV

Categories: Chrysler,Hyundai,Manufacturers,Mitsubishi

This long list of events is your chance to throw away your inhibitions and lay down some rubber. Some of the track days make you bring your own vehicle, while others provide you with a machine to pilot. Either way, find the right event and brush up on your driving skills by booking some track time at the links below.

Continue reading Hit Up the Track With These Events.

Categories: Audi,BMW,Bentley,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Consumer Track Events,Dodge,Ferrari,Ford,Infiniti,Jaguar,Jeep,Lamborghini,Land Rover,Lotus,MINI,Maserati,Mazda,Mitsubishi,Porsche,Saab,Scion,Subaru,Toyota

In our latest installment of best used buys, contributor John Pearley Huffman looks at the very tempting $20K category.

At this price level, we're getting into some real serious cars. We're talking Z06s, M3s, Cobra Mustangs and WRX STis. So it's not an easy decision, but our tips should help point you the right direction.

10 Best Used Cars for Less Than $20,000

Categories: BMW,Chevrolet,Ford,Honda,Infiniti,Mercedes-Benz,Mitsubishi,Nissan,Porsche,Subaru

Our 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR's 12 months in our long-term fleet are up, and we've amassed 19,396 miles. Aside from a hood latch that had to be replaced twice (one when it broke on us and again during a recall campaign), our high-tech Evo MR was as reliable as any other street car.

Notably, we had zero problems with the TC-SST dual-clutch automated manual transmssion, which was our primary motivation for sticking the Evolution X MR in our fleet. Although we still have plenty of three-pedal holdouts on staff, a great many of us regard the TC-SST as the best of the dual-clutch 'boxes out there. No, it won't quite lull you into thinking it's a regular automatic around town, but in Super Sport mode on a back road, it might as well be hard-wired into your brain.

Check out our on long-term wrap-up to get our final take on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR.

Long-Term Wrap-Up: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR

Categories: Mitsubishi,Sedans

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

Like all good grudge matches, this one goes on and on. One day Mitsubishi is on top, the next day it's Subaru winning the drag races, or rally stages or whatever event you want to throw these all-wheel drive, turbocharged twins into.

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback is an all-new addition to the lineup. Its hatchback configuration makes it a little more practical without losing any of the Ralliart sedan's sharp design. Some say it might even be better looking, and it only adds 122 pounds in the process.

On the Subaru side, the Impreza WRX hatchback would be the obvious choice for a direct head-to-head battle. Problem is, we haven't tested an '09 hatch yet, so we figured the 2009 sedan would be a good stand-in. It has the new, more powerful boxer motor and all the same mechanical parts, its slightly lighter weight the only real advantage.

So how do these middleweights stack up on the track? Check out the stats after the jump.

Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback vs. 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan.

Categories: Hatchbacks,IL Track Tested,Mitsubishi,Sedans,Subaru

The 5th annual Mitsubishi Owners Day (MOD) kicks off July 11th at the Mitsubishi North America headquarters in Cypress, California. Featured at the event will be a few EVO track cars from AMS Performance, a bunch of vendors if you've got a hankering for a new mod and a preview of the new Lancer Sportback and i-MiEV.

MOD runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and has free admission and parking. Make the jump for the full address.

Continue reading 5th Annual Mitsubishi Owners Day.

Categories: Mitsubishi

Earlier we thrilled you with footage of the i-MiEV electric car in action. Now Mitsubishi has gone one step further and announced an official on-sale date for its upcoming eco-car.

Fleet sales will start in Japan this July with about 1,400 vehicles slated for leases to corporations and local authorities. Starting in April 2010, Mitsubishi plans to begin leasing the i-MiEV to the public.

Categories: Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Mitsubishi,Sedans