Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV Soon to Hit European Market

(Image of 2012 Outlander)

The future Outlander, also known as the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV, will use two motors alongside an engine that work both as one and separately to fuel the vehicle. The Outlander is designed for long trips and low emissions, traveling 500 miles in one charge and holding a CO2 target of 50g/km (the European target numbers).

The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid will be retailed in Europe throughout 2013, so let's hope it makes its way over here soon after! And of course you'll be the first to know when it does!

Information via Digital Journal

2012 Editions to the Mitsubishi Lineup

2012 Mitsubishi vehicles are now in stock, so we'd like to give you some information on which vehicles received major changes for the 2012 year. Check it out! And please click any of the model names to be taken to our online inventory of that model. Unfortunately, we currently don't have any of the 2012 Eclipse models in stock, our apologies. But click through and enjoy the rest of our new Mitsubishi inventory!


There are only a few, very minor changes to the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It receives a darker wheel finish and a side mirror housing color to match its black roof.

The 2012 Lancer is being released by Mitsubishi with a focus on more wintery states. The SE comes with all-wheel drive, all-wheel control, 16-inch alloy wheels, 2.4L four-cylinder engine and heated seats.

The Lancer Sportback is given a Ralliart-type front fascia and 18-inch wheels. The door trim is treated with an upgraded soft-touch material, while improved trim and sear fabric adjust the interior of the vehicle. In the Touring package there is an available auto-dimming rearview mirror and back-up camera.

On the 2012 Outlander model, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and back-up camera have been added to the SE Premium package and GT Touring package. ES models receive an updated 16-inch wheel cover design and all models receive an ECO indicator light on the instrumental panel.

The Outlander Sport received an updated CVT and 2.0L engine (both to improve acceleration and responsiveness). It has 16-inch covers for the base model and 18-inch alloys for the SE model. The SE Premium package is equipped with an auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear view camera.

Google Maps Adds Current In-Traffic Time to Directions

Google has just announced a new edition to their pre-existing driving directions via Google Maps; real-time traffic updates. Now instead of just looking up directions, users can choose the best route to travel based on traffic conditions at their current travel time. Google also estimates how long it will take the driver to get through the allotted traffic.

This is great! Although it won't be overly helpful for us Vermonters, it's extremely useful for those in metropolitan areas, or to those who are traveling in busier cities. Even though traffic is often inevitable, at least this gives drivers a way to coordinate another route or plan ahead for a long and potentially crowded trip. Click the Digital Trends link below for more information on the app.


Information via Digital Trends.
Image via Traffic to a Website.

Driving Guidelines Have Changed

Image via Lifehacker

As has driving, and many people still drive the way they were taught in Driver's Ed. It makes sense, when someone more learned than you teaches you how to do what they're good at, you typically continue doing it their way unless taught differently at a later date.

This is the same with driving - we've all heard of the "10 and 2" position on the steering wheel because that's what we were taught. Turns out those lessons are a little behind the times. AAA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and driving teachers today teach that 9 and 3, or even 8 and 4 are your safest bets. This change comes with two major reasons; 1. That if your airbag goes off you're less likely to get injured, and 2. That from the lower position you have more control and therefore room for reaction in the case of an accident.

Just one more update - the "proper", well, safe, way to turn the wheel is now a "push-pull", where you push the wheel with the top hand and pull with the bottom (as opposed to the cross over taught in the past).

Well we've seen cars evolve dramatically over the last few years, so it only makes sense that driving does too! Always better to be safe than sorry.

Information and image via Lifehacker.

The Future of Grocery Stores

Toshiba has just developed a scanner for grocery stores that will recognize the actual food product as opposed to the bar code label on it. This is generally to make grocery lines run smoothly and quickly as cashiers will have no need to look up items.



Is it necessary? Probably not at all. Just an interesting look into what the future is holding for us, not just in groceries of course, but with technology in general. It seems as though in ten years life will almost be too easy! Can't complain about that though, can we?

Check out the full article on Gizmodo.

Craziest Looking Car, Ever.

Check out this EV that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. It has to be the strangest thing I've ever seen. Not much information on the vehicle quite yet, but I'll be sure to post more when there is. You just have to see it to believe it for now!

Image and info via jalopnik.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Debut

Mitsubishi has just revealed the 2013 Mitsu Outlander at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Mitsubishi has described the all-new Outlander as "solid, safe and simple". It seats five, but has a third row that can manage seven passengers comfortably. It will also come with Super-HiD headlights that are roughly 1.4 times more powerful than regular HiD bulbs. This vehicle will evolve into a plug-in hybrid over the next year or so.

We won't get them in until later on this year, but if you're itching to check out a Mitsubishi, or just nicely curious - check out our new and used inventory online today!

Check out the full article on nitrobahn here.

Image via The Truth About Cars.