VW Race Touareg 3 Qatar Concept

VW Race Touareg 3 Qatar Concept

At the first Qatar Motor Show (26-29 January, 2011), Volkswagen has presented a slightly tamer version of the Touareg 3 that started in the Dakar Rally at the beginning of January 2011; this 228 kW / 310 PS Volkswagen could very well be the world's most talented street-legal SUV.

This is a genuine Rally motorsport vehicle, like the one that was still touring South America in the Dakar Rally two weeks ago and was built to withstand the toughest rally race in the world. The vehicle now being shown in Qatar is a version of the Race Touareg 3 - an SUV that can sprint to 100 km/h in less than six seconds - that is legally approved for use on public roadways. The just over two metre wide body was slightly modified for road use. Instead of 16-inch wheels, new 18-inch wheels from BBS with a gold look are being used. The "Race Touareg" signature - also in a golden colour - stretches the entire length of the vehicle's sides. In turn, it is perfectly coordinated with the exterior paint in "Magic Morning," a white that has a slight gold shimmer to it.

Mitsubishi L200 (Triton) is best selling pick-up truck in Germany in 2010

L200 Pick-up's most successful year of 2010

* 1870 registrations

* Since 1993, nearly 56,000 registrations

* From 15 958 € (net) available

Hattersheim 24 January 2011. - The Mitsubishi L200 Pick-up with 1870 new registrations once again the best-selling pick-up in 2010 on the German market. This is clear from the current KBA registration statistics. The L200 is available since autumn 1993 in Germany and is regularly on the first places in the admission statistics of the German pick-up segment. Total registered since its launch in Germany so far 55 903 L200 - making it the most successful pick-up on the German market.

The Mitsubishi L200 is available in the double cab body variants (5-seater), Club Cab (2 +2 seats) and single cab (2 seats). It is powered by a modern 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine with common-rail direct injection, in three levels with 98 kW/128 hp, 100 kW/136 hp and the 2.5 DI-D + version with 131 kW/178 hp is available. The L200 has also the only pickup on the market over a four-wheel drive and low range gearing.

With a nearly square cargo area of 1.50 meters and 1.47 meters wide (Club Cab: 1.83 meters length, single cabin 2.22 meters), payload reserves of up to one ton and a braked towing capacity is 2.7 tons the L200 van and an outstanding coaches.

The MSRP for the L200 starts at € 18 990 (€ Netto15.958).

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Proves Good Passenger Safety Through ADAC Testing [DE]

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Proves Good Passenger Safety Through ADAC Testing

Tokyo, January 21, 2011 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced the high rating results from the ADAC*1.

When crash occurred, Mitsubishi i-MiEV was able to instantly recognize the impact and automatically shut off the high voltage elements of the electric car, sustaining safe space for the passenger as well as leaving the lithium-ion battery along with their original 88 cells undamaged.

"This conclusion was drawn through relentless test upon this first mass produced electric vehicle that is available Germany. The test incorporating two impacts, one offset front crash (64 km/h, 40% offset), and a rear impact (by a 1,400kg movable barrier in 80km/h speed 70% offset), has proven that i-MiEV, although light weight, compact and equipped with high voltage EV system, is equally as safe as any other gasoline-engine vehicle", commented ADAC about the test results.

*1

ADAC is Germany's and Europe's largest automobile club. Stands for "Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club"

Mitsubishi Motors Environment Initiative Program 2015

 Mitsubishi Motors Environment Initiative Program 2015

- Interim Targets for the "Mitsubishi Motors Group Environmental Vision 2020"-

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is today announced the formulation of the "Mitsubishi Motors Environment Initiative Program 2015," a mid-term plan for the group's environmental initiatives. This program follows up on "Environment Initiative Program 2010" and represents a guide for the company from FY2011 to FY2015. As well as being an action plan for the achievement of "Mitsubishi Motors Group Environmental Vision 2020," it is one of the key points of the new "Jump 2013" mid-term business plan that was also announced today. The program will be pursued as one of the group's top priorities.

MMC launched the "Environment Initiative Program 2010" in FY2006, and it spearheaded the development and commercialization a number of environment-friendly vehicles and technologies. Among the highlights where the launch of a new-generation electric vehicle "i-MiEV", the launch of vehicles with clean diesel engines that meet the latest standards in Japan and Europe, as well as expanded usage of "Green Plastic", based on the company's proprietary plant-based plastics technology. In production processes, the company has made great strides in preventing global warming and environmental pollution, including the introduction of new method of application to reduce drying energy in water-based painting lines.

Mitsubishi Motors Announces Mid-Term Business Plan:"Jump 2013"

Mitsubishi Motors Announces Mid-Term Business Plan:"Jump 2013"

Tokyo, January 20, 2011 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced "Jump 2013", its new mid-term business plan for fiscal years 2011 through 2013 (ending March 31, 2014).

The new plan reflects the immense change in automobile industry demand structure caused by worldwide economic turmoil. By focusing business resources on increasingly important areas such as fast-growing, emerging markets and on environmental initiatives, and by reforming cost structure, Jump 2013 aims for "growth and a leap forward".

Product-wise, MMC will be launching 8 new electric-powered vehicles*1 by FY2015 as part of its efforts to reduce environmental impact. This includes introduction of hybrid vehicles in FY2013 to improve fuel efficiency over conventional combustion-engine vehicles. In parallel, MMC will keep its business resources focused on globally strategic models such as compact cars and SUVs, for which high demand is expected, especially in emerging markets. Both development process and product range will be streamlined by discontinuing region-specific model production.

Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show

Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show

Concept Global Small - Next Generation Colt

Tokyo, January 18, 2011 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will give the global premiere of the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small (show model), a concept car based on the features of "compact", "affordability", and "high fuel efficiency" at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show which runs from March 1 through March 13 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex (opening to the general public on March 3). MMC will display a total of 12 vehicles (6 during press days), including vehicles already on sale in Europe, in addition to the 100% electric i-MiEV, of which about 2,500 units*1 have already been shipped to Europe within three months since its start of production and shipment in October 2010.

*1: This number includes Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO.

The MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small is the concept model of the compact passenger vehicle that is planned for production in March of 2012 at the MMC's new third factory in Thailand.

Concept Global Small - Next Generation Colt

The features of the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small include good maneuverability and easy operation, an inherent of a compact car, accomplished in to a highly efficient package that can comfortably seat five adults. In addition, the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small achieves top-of-class fuel efficiency, with CO2 emissions in the mid-90g/km range due to:

*Usage of an idling stop mechanism

*A 1.0 – 1.2L class compact engine equipped with a regenerative braking system

*Weight trimming to the most complex parts

*Reduced running resistance in the engine, new-generation CVT, brakes, and tires

*A body shape that greatly reduces aerodynamic resistance.

The i-MiEV Goes On Sale in 15 European Countries

The i-MiEV Goes On Sale in 15 European Countries

Tokyo, January 14, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that sale of the European-spec i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle is to commence in 15 European countries*1.

As a reminder, MMC began production of the i-MiEVs for Europe from October of last year. Three months after starting shipment, about 2,500 units*2 were shipped.

Currently, the i-MiEV is attracting high attention in Mitsubishi Motors Europe's territory. In addition to the first 15 countries the car is to be sold in, there have been requests to introduce the i-MiEV from Finland, Serbia, Turkey, and Slovenia. In response to these requests, MMC plans to ship units to these countries in the near future, making the European countries the i-MiEV will be sold in to 19. Later on, the i-MiEV shall be sequentially introduced further within Mitsubishi Motors Europe's territory.

*1: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

*2: This number includes Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO.

MMSCAN unveils Concept PX-MiEV Electric Vehicle Plug-in Hybrid targeted for 2013 launch [CA]

Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. unveils Concept PX-MiEV Electric Vehicle

Plug-in Hybrid targeted for 2013 launch

MONTREAL, QC – (January 13, 2011) – Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. (MMSCAN) unveiled it’s latest electric concept vehicle, the PX-MiEV, today at the 2011 Montreal International Auto Show. The PX-MiEV is Mitsubishi’s most advanced electric vehicle to date and represents the culmination of 40 years of technological development and research.

“The concept PX-MiEV is the next step for Mitsubishi in our goal of becoming a leader in electric vehicles,” said Tomoki Yanagawa, VP of Sales, Marketing & Corporate Planning of MMSCAN. “More importantly for drivers, this advanced concept car will start appearing in driveways across North America as early as 2013.”

A plug-in hybrid, the Concept PX-MiEV combines an extended cruising range with vastly improved performance over gasoline only vehicles with a fuel economy of 2 liters per 100 kilometers.

“The PX-MiEV is primarily propelled by two electric motors, one dedicated to the front wheels and one for the rear wheels. When extra speed, power or distance is required; a 1.6 L gasoline engine is ready to provide assistance,” said Tomoki Yanagawa.

The All Wheel Drive PX-MiEV is equipped with several drive modes including a Regenerative Mode where the front and rear motors act as generators to charge the battery when the car is coming to a stop or descending a long slope.

One of the car’s most interesting features is the Power Supply Mode. In this setting, the vehicle’s electricity can be used to run household appliances, provide electricity during emergencies or to power equipment during camping trips.

For those in the market for a no emissions vehicle MMSCAN also unveiled the left hand drive version of the i-MiEV, its first all-electric production vehicle that is currently on sale in Japan, New Zealand and Europe.

“The i-MiEV will be available to Canadian consumers in late 2011,” said Tomoki Yanagawa, VP Sales, Marketing & Corporate Planning, MMSCAN.