Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XI May Go Electric

Car Advice just posted an article regarding the undecided future of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. A lot of rumors have been circling about whether or not the Lancer Evo will actually continue to be produced, but at the Sydney Motor Show Mitsubshi Motors Global President Osamu Masuki addressed the issue. In paraphrase, he said that he's considering a next-generation Evolution that will address environmental issues, "hinting" that the Evolution XI may be offered with "some form of electrification," according to Car Advice.

He also spoke a lot about Mitsubishi's involvement in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this year, where they entered two Mitsubishi i-MiEVs. They said that they believe in electrified cars for their performance models.

"We wanted to find the limitations of EVs. [We now] have quite a lot of information after doing this," Masuki said.

Good to hear! The Lancer Evo is a great car and making it electric would be beneficial for Mitsubishi and the environment. What do you think? Yes or no to the Mitsu Lancer Evo EV?

Click to view our online inventory of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.


Images and all information via Car Advice.

10,000 Mile Review of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Inside EVs, a great blog dedicated to everything EV, posted a long-term review of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. One of their writers has driven the i-MiEV for 10,000 miles and he posted his thoughts, so here they are! If you're interested, be sure to check out our online selection of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV after reading.

Our very own Electric Vehicle Consultant, Adam Crowley

"The iMiEV components are laid out in a very straightforward manner, as discrete components in cast aluminum housings with quick-connect cables rather than hardwired and hidden in a sea of black plastic. That really appealed to the shadetree mechanic in me," he wrote.

Adam with another new i-MiEV owner!

Jay Donnaway, the writer/reviewer/driver said that his family had originally planned for the i-MiEV to be their second car and his commuter, but it quickly ended up being their No. 1.

He says the interior is simple and easy to keep clean, the torque is metered out gently but the vehicle has great acceleration and he's actually been able to tow things from a tow hitch he had installed in the back. Mitsubishi has said that it's not recommended for towing purposes (obviously), but Donnaway has towed up to 800 lbs so far with no glitches!

As for snow handling, he took it out in a parking lot full of snow and did whatever he could to make it slide, but he says that the i-MiEV is "idiot proof" and he couldn't make it slide much at all.

The car has made several hundred-mile trips with Donnaway, and when he's solo he said he can fit an abundance of things in the back. When the seats are folded down, the i-MiEV has 50 cubic feet of flat-floored, cubic space.

Donnaway, who has been hesitant about the Nissan LEAF (an i-MiEV competitor) says that unlike the LEAF, which has had many thermal issues, the i-MiEV has none. This is due to the air conditioned battery pack in the i-MiEV, which according to Mitsubishi is expected to last a minimum of 10 years without decline or malfunction.

"All-in-all, after eight months and ten thousand miles, I’m quite pleased with our purchase and expect to hand it over as a very reliable and safe first car for my daughter in ten years when she turns sixteen," he said. Sounds like a great car to me!


Review via Jay Donnaway of Inside EVs

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Details

Mitsubishi just began marketing its new production vehicle; the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It’s based off of the all-new Outlander that was debuted this past summer, but the drivetrain has been created solely in house with direction gleaming from the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The Outlander PHEV is the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, according to Mitsubishi.

This is an excited move for Mitsubishi and the auto industry in general! Mitsubishi says that the Outlander PHEV will get roughly 143 MPG (combining hybrid and electric), its range is 547 miles in combined gas and electric mode, but still achieves a range of over 34 miles in electric mode alone.

There are three modes for the Outlander PHEV; EV Drive Mode, Series Hybrid Mode and Parallel Hybrid Mode, all of which the car can automatically select from, depending on the conditions.

EV Drive Mode uses the front and rear electric motors for completely gas-free, electric driving. Series Hybrid Mode uses the gas engine (2.0 L) to power the electric motors. This mode will come into play with the electric motors have reached a certain point or when the vehicle needs more power (faster acceleration, driving up a steep hill). Drivers can also select a Manual Charge Mode, where the engine will charge the battery so the driver can spend more time in EV mode. Parallel Hybrid Mode predominately uses the gas engine; this mode is used at higher speeds.

As far as charging goes, the Outlander PHEV can be charged from zero to capacity in 4.5 hours, or with a higher wattage charger can get an “80 percent quick charge” in just 30 minutes.

Stay tuned for more info about the Outlander PHEV, it’s going on sale in Japan early on in 2013, and should be rolling over to the US shortly thereafter. We’ll keep you updated!

Electric version not for you? Check out our 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander or our 2012 & 2013 Outlander Sport selection by clicking the name of the vehicle! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our very own Certified Electric Vehicle Salesperson, Adam Crowley at (802) 865-4400 ex. 207.

All images and information via Green Car Reports

Meet Adam! Burlington Mitsubishi's Certified Electric Vehicle Consultant

Q&A with Adam Crowley, Sales & Electric Vehicle Consultant

This weekend celebrates National Plug-In Day, which is being honored at multiple places across the state, including Burlington Mitsubishi. In conjunction with this special weekend, we did a Q&A with Adam Crowley, our very own Certified Electric Vehicle Sales Consultant. Check it out below, and be sure to stop by Burlington Mitsubishi tomorrow to test drive and/or hear more info about the 100 percent electric, 112mpg-achieving Mitsubishi i-MiEV. (See question and answer No. 4 for some real details about the cost savings of EVs!)

Q: What got you interested in selling cars, particularly EVs?
A: I have a passion for cars. Mainly though; I love helping people, and a car purchase is someone second biggest investment. EV, well that’s easy. It's the future! In the years to come it will all be electric cars! I love technology and that’s what EVs are; they are all technology.

Q: What was the certification process like to become a Certified EV Salesperson?
A: To become EV Certified, it was an intense two-day training event. I had to fly down to Philly and sit through five different phases, the last was hands on; we got to drive three different electric vehicles so we could compare with our competition.

Q: Why did you choose to become certified in that area?
A: Mainly because we are in VT, where we are a green state. Vermont is a front runner in clean air, green living, etc. I thought it would be perfect to sell EVs in VT. Especially Burlington!

Q: Do you believe people should generally be switching over to Hybrids and EVs? Why or why not?
A: Oh yes for sure. There are not too many vehicles that will actually pay you back when you drive them. Our Mitsubishi i-MIEV will. You save over $9,800 in five years just from fuel cost, let alone servicing your vehicle. You see our service department once a year! No oil changes, no checking fluids, making sure your exhaust isn’t leaking, etc. Plus when you plug in your car at home, for most people it’s under $3 per month addition on your utility bill! Versus what, $50 a fill up at the gas pump? No brainer!

Q: What are the benefits of driving EVs?
A: No fuel, no maintenance, clean air, interactive driving (driving modes on i-MIEV), Clean world and pay back your bank account!

Q: Why do you like selling EVs?
A: I get to meet really cool people who are all about saving our pretty world. I love it!

Q: Anything else we should know about you?
A: I am avid tennis player - used to play professionally, and still do teach! I am happily resided in Burlington at the moment, not too far from work and I love what I do. Even if you’re not quite ready for an Electric Vehicle, please stop by and see me. You've got to at least check it out! My hours are 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Stop by tomorrow or Sunday for National Plug-In Day, or stop by at any time to see Adam and check out the Mitsubishi i-MiEV!

Test Drive of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Motoring test drove the Mistubishi Lancer Evo X and gave it a great review filled with valuable information. The Lancer Evolution X (ten) has been available in Japan for a decade, but wasn't brought to the US until the 8th generation (in 2003).

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
(blog background picture also of Evo X)

The Evo’s main competitor is the Subaru WRX STI, which is cheaper than the Evo X, but the Evo has more torque, an extremely fast gear shift, four-wheel drive, magnesium paddle shifters and six-speed TC-SST (Twin Clutch Sports Shift Transmission, similar to the one used by Audi and Volkswagon) or a five-speed manual, making the reviewers believe that it is in fact worth more money than its competition.

The Lancer Evolution is “quite a performer when pushed to its limits,” according to the review. “As in most all-wheel drive performance cars, understeer is always ready and waiting to push the front out wide if driven sloppily, but flick it Scandinavian-style and there’s an impressive amount of drift action to be had.”

The last point made is that the Evo X is most likely the last of its kind, at least for now. There are no plans for an Evo XI just yet, so if you purchase a 2012 you’re not going to regret it in a few months when the 2013s are available. This doesn’t mean that it’s not a car of value, but that Mitsubishi is currently undergoing more projects to become green and environmentally-friendly.

Sound like something you'd be interested in? View our Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution inventory here.


Review by Motoring of South Africa, information on US version of the Evo X from Left Lane
Image via Left Lane

Our Most Popular Posts, Ever!

We thought it'd be fun to go through and see which of our blog posts are the most popular, ever! So if you missed any of them, here are the top five fan favorites:

1. Which Car Can Power Traffic Lights?
2. The Pentagon's Project Avatar
3. The Batmobile Actually Exists in Dubai
4. The Best Way to Organize Your Apps
5. Self-Driving Cars May be in the Nearer-Than-Expected Future

Enjoy!

Will the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Be Imported to the US?

Japanese automakers have been debating whether or not to release this baby hatchback to the United States. The Mitsubishi Mirage is said to be comparable to the Chevy Spark, only with much better gas mileage. Mitsubishi hasn't released an exact MPG number yet, but they're saying the Mirage will get roughly 64 MPG. The best part, however, is that this Mitsu starts at just $12,548 (when converted to dollars).

Imagine saving that much money in gas for only $12 thousand? If you drive 50 miles per week, with gas at $3.57, not only would you use less than a gallon each week, but it'd only cost you $11 a month in gas! Now that's crazy.

So what do you think? Should the Mirage make its way to the US? If it does, we'll keep you posted!


Image and info via Motor Trend