Mitsubishi All New 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer ::Official Pictures::

[phaeton]

Lancer GTS

CYPRESS, Calif. — Mitsubishi will introduce the all-new 2008 Lancer compact sport sedan at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The new-generation Lancer models arrive in Mitsubishi dealerships in early 2007, drawing on the lines of the Mitsubishi Concept-X first shown in 2005. The car features a "shark-nosed" front end inspired by jet fighter air intakes, a distinct wedge-like profile and crisp, taut lines, the company said. The car is based on a new global platform that also forms the foundation of the new Mitsubishi Outlander SUV.

All Lancers will be powered by an all-new 2.0-liter 152-horsepower four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The new Lancer will also be the first Mitsubishi in North America to offer an optional continuously variable transmission. Mitsubishi says the Lancer will be available in three levels of trim and driving dynamics: DE, ES and the sport-tuned GTS.

What this means to you: Mitsubishi is fighting its way back, bit by bit


Lancer ES


http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=118795#10

Thanks to www.carspyshots.net for the tip

 

[Zafiro]

Volvo S40 In The Front?

 

[phaeton]

Volvo S40 In The Front?

I thought that too also add a hint of Impreza & Focus as well

 

[PanterroR]

Super nice!

 

[Osnabrueck]

Certainly an improvment over the current Lancer, but that's a given. The front end really works for me, the rear less so. From the back the boot looks too tall and reminds me of an Alfa from the 90s.

I'm glad that Mitsu has found a direction with this look, but the styling isn't as sharp as the Honda Civic or new Nissan Sentra. I think the main culprit is the greenhouse, which sports a pretty ho-hum shape. I'll be interested to see the interior.

 

[Mr. M]

It looks great! I like its front and back, though I have to agree with Osna the greenhouse looks too 'normal' for such an aggressive design.

They were rather generous with their production design - I wonder how much of the interior they would trim it down to.

 

[Zafiro]

a few more

 

[cawimmer430]

I like the front and rear, so far. The side profile however looks like a bloated Mazda 6 sedan.

This is however what Mitsubishi needs: an aggressive design for the somewhat timid Lancer. Hopefully this design will create more awareness for the brand in North America, where the company is struggling.

Mitsubishi also needs to offer more powerful engines. They're already known for value-for-money, but their engines are usually outclassed when compared to the competition (in terms of power). If Americans want a gas-guzzling V8 in their SUV, then for God's sake offer one. Outsource one if you have to (Mitsubishi outsources VW TDI engines in Europe for their Grandis).

Speaking of Mitsubishi, I am loving the new Pajero.

Link: http://www.carview.co.jp/magazine/recommend/2006/mitsubishi_pajero/

 

[cawimmer430]

BTW, can anyone here read Japanese?

Carview.co.jp has an interesting test with Michelin winter tires on three different cars:

Lexus IS
Range Rover Sport
Volvo XC90

Link: http://www.carview.co.jp/magazine/recommend/2006/michelin_xice/

 

[Monster]

The car look strange. It looks too high off the ground, and the shape of the glass house is very very boring, and the shape doesn't really flow. The rear is just ugly. The lines and the surfacing just don't integrate well.

 

[Mr. M]

Mitsubishi also needs to offer more powerful engines. They're already known for value-for-money, but their engines are usually outclassed when compared to the competition (in terms of power). If Americans want a gas-guzzling V8 in their SUV, then for God's sake offer one. Outsource one if you have to (Mitsubishi outsources VW TDI engines in Europe for their Grandis).

You've suggested great things Christian... I wonder if Mitsubishi's financial situation has anything to do with their lukewarm products. Mitsubishi is bankrupt, isn't it?

 

[Bruce]

The car look strange. It looks too high off the ground,...

I see what you mean and I agree

Overall I think this is an improvment over the last model, I can see traces of Volvo, BMW and what not.

Thanks much for posting Ben!

 

[cawimmer430]

You've suggested great things Christian... I wonder if Mitsubishi's financial situation has anything to do with their lukewarm products. Mitsubishi is bankrupt, isn't it?

Thank you, James.

I have not been following up on Mitsubishi's financial situation, but I think they actually made a profit last year. I recall glancing at some headlines about this on Business Week, but I am not sure. Hey, my memory ain't perfect.

The only market where Mitsubishi is struggling is North America. Last time I checked, their Japanese and Asia sales have stabilized after the safety scandal of 2001.

Their European sales are pretty good. Models like the Grandis and Colt are selling like hotcakes. The newer Mitsubishi's have been well-received by the European press. Both the Colt and Grandis come with those vital diesel engines and feature excellent value-for-money. Their designs are also appealing. Euro Lancer sales have never been impressive. The Lancer lacks a diesel engine option and is only available with 2 gasoline engines: a 1.6 I believe and a 2.0. The Lancer Evo can't really save Mitsubishi, it's a low-volume-low-demand product. The Pajero is due for an upgrade soon, and it needs a new diesel engine because the old 3.2 4-cylinder DI-D is outdated - it was already outdated when introduced around 1999/2000.

Mitsubishi happens to be my favorite Japanese car brand. I always liked them because they were a bit of an "outcast" when compared to Toyota or Nissan. Plus, they really made some awesome cars in the past. Thankfully, it looks like their cool designs are coming back. This new Lancer isn't bad, but the side profile looks a bit porky. I'll have to wait until I see it in real life. So far though it looks pretty good.

 

[Mr. M]

I have not been following up on Mitsubishi's financial situation, but I think they actually made a profit last year. I recall glancing at some headlines about this on Business Week, but I am not sure. Hey, my memory ain't perfect.

Posted Oct 31st 2006

And so, we bring you yet another announcement about reduced losses. Aided by a weaker yen and increased sales in Japan and North America, Japan's troubled Mitsubishi Motors on Monday reported a narrower net loss of 16.1 billion yen ($137 million) for fiscal first-half of '06 compared to a loss of 63.8 billion yen ($544 million) during the same period in '05. Sticking to its forecast to return to profitability for the full fiscal year in 2007, the company also said on Monday that it would reduce its unit sales volume target down 86,000 vehicles to 1,322,000, reflecting expectations of fewer sales in parts of Asia, while sales are expected to increase in North American and Europe.

Can Mitsubishi return to profitability in 2007? They do have some decent new products in the market with more on the way. Only time will tell.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/mitsubishis-red-ink-dwindles/



Mitsubishi's definitely improving their situation but they're still a loss-making company. From a 1999 article, Mitsubishi Motors recorded a debt of $17 billion. Its parent company did even worse - we're looking at debts of $132 billion. But it's 2006, things may have changed.

I like Mitsubishi too, but their financial situation gives me the impression that they are substituting cheaper parts to be used in their cars - their image took a hit somewhat IMO.

 

[cawimmer430]

Posted Oct 31st 2006

And so, we bring you yet another announcement about reduced losses. Aided by a weaker yen and increased sales in Japan and North America, Japan's troubled Mitsubishi Motors on Monday reported a narrower net loss of 16.1 billion yen ($137 million) for fiscal first-half of '06 compared to a loss of 63.8 billion yen ($544 million) during the same period in '05. Sticking to its forecast to return to profitability for the full fiscal year in 2007, the company also said on Monday that it would reduce its unit sales volume target down 86,000 vehicles to 1,322,000, reflecting expectations of fewer sales in parts of Asia, while sales are expected to increase in North American and Europe.

Can Mitsubishi return to profitability in 2007? They do have some decent new products in the market with more on the way. Only time will tell.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/mitsubishis-red-ink-dwindles/



Mitsubishi's definitely improving their situation but they're still a loss-making company. From a 1999 article, Mitsubishi Motors recorded a debt of $17 billion. Its parent company did even worse - we're looking at debts of $132 billion. But it's 2006, things may have changed.

I like Mitsubishi too, but their financial situation gives me the impression that they are substituting cheaper parts to be used in their cars - their image took a hit somewhat IMO.

Good find. Thanks given.

That clears it up. Mitsubishi is still loosing money, badly, but their future at least seems to have been stabilized. A good thing as I really love Mitsubishi. My favorite Japanese car brand by far.

By the way, Colt and Grandis have gotten excellent quality ratings here in Europe. They're reliable and have high-quality interiors for the class of car they're in.

Grandis interior

 

[MikeJ]

I don't like it one bit. It's just a mish-mash of different styling cues from different manufacturers.

 

[Mr. M]

Good find. Thanks given.

That clears it up. Mitsubishi is still loosing money, badly, but their future at least seems to have been stabilized. A good thing as I really love Mitsubishi. My favorite Japanese car brand by far.

By the way, Colt and Grandis have gotten excellent quality ratings here in Europe. They're reliable and have high-quality interiors for the class of car they're in.

Grandis interior

No problem.

My friend has a Grandis and I rode in it a few times before. I must say it was quite on par with the competition (Honda Odyssey).

 

[Yperion]

Sorry to dissapoint the Mitsubishi fans in here but this car is a total mess.
I seriously can't find anything good about it.

 

[cawimmer430]

No problem.

My friend has a Grandis and I rode in it a few times before. I must say it was quite on par with the competition (Honda Odyssey).

Holy cow! I thought the Grandis was a Japan + Europe car only.

 

[Habitual Speeder]

The car look strange. It looks too high off the ground, and the shape of the glass house is very very boring, and the shape doesn't really flow. The rear is just ugly. The lines and the surfacing just don't integrate well.

What he said.

I liked what I saw in the Evo X concept, but this is not what I expected.