Category: Mitsubishi

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Mitsubishi Motorsports

On board with the 2011 WTAC winner

In August the 2011 World Time Attack Challenge was held at Eastern Creek in Sydney. Teams from around the world come to Australia, get it out and race against the clock to prove who is the fastest. On the same day, in the same conditions.

In 2010 the fastest man was ‘Tarzan’ Yamada at the wheel of his Cyber Evo with a best time of 1:30.58. And so it proved again in 2011, with Tarzan improving on his 2010 time to set a best lap this year of 1:28.851. That’s damn quick, to be honest.

The outright lap record at Eastern Creek is 1:19.142 set by Nico Hulkenberg in 2007 at the wheel of an A1 Lola. For reference, the V8 Supercar lap record was set by Mark Skaife in 1999. The best Skaifey could manage was 1:31.730.

It seems there was a bit of controversy over the 2011 WTAC event and that has since been addressed by the event CEO, Ian Baker. Now that the dust has settled Cyber Evo sponsor Yokohama has published footage of Tarzan’s lap to YouTube, which you can see above. Enjoy.

[Thanks to Joshua for the tip]

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New vehicle sales report – April 2011

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April’s Easter and Anzac day holiday break is being cited as the cause for an 8.8% drop in sales compared to 2010 figures. In all 74,214 new vehicles were sold.

Japanese marques are expected to have temporary ongoing supply issues following the unfortunate earthquake and tsunami.

Toyota and Holden continue their reign as the country’s top two selling brands. However, in April, they gain a rare visit from Hyundai in third place, ahead of usual rivals Ford and Mazda.

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Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution facing extinction

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

While Toyota is happily running around the halls of Geneva with a requited passion for driving enjoyment, it would seem Mitsubishi are sitting, alone, in the corner, facing the end of an era. Word on the street says the Lancer Evo X will be the last; there will be no Evo XI.

Speaking in Geneva about the future of the Evo, Mitsubishi’s global product director, Gayu Eusegi, told Autocar journo Matt Prior, “There is still a demand, but we must stop. Our influence now is EV technology.”

The Evo may comeback, one day. But don’t start holding your breath. Eusegi explains, “Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles.

“Maybe then we can enter the market again.”

The Evo was first introduced to the Japanese market in late 1992. While we may get another year or so from the Evo X, due to product cycles, it will be sad to see the end of an icon.

[Source: Autocar | Thanks to Dave for the tip]

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New vehicle sales report – December 2010

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Congratulations Australia, for just the third time ever we have managed to send over 1 million new vehicles out the door. To be exact, 1,035,574 passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles found new homes in 2010 and that represents an increase of almost 100,000 sales on 2009 figures.

“This is an exceptional outcome and is the second highest result on record and only the third time ever that the market exceeded more than one million sales,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“With continuing strong levels of vehicle affordability there is no reason why the new vehicle market won’t continue to perform better than other areas of the economy.”

Toyota was the highest selling marque in 2010, with 214,718 sales registered. Holden and Ford followed with 132,923 and 95,824 sales respectively.

Holden can claim still bragging rights, though, with the Commodore proving to be Australia’s most popular car for the fifteenth year in a row. Its 45,956 sales placed it ahead of the Toyota Corolla, on 41,632, and the Toyota Hilux, with an impressive 39,896 sales.

Meanwhile, a number of other marques are shouting from the rooftops about their new records set in 2010, including BMW, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki and Volkswagen.

UPDATE 7 January: Audi, Kia and Mitsubishi have released their brag sheets today, too.

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AIMS 2010: Photo gallery

AIMS 2010

Here is the AUSmotive photo gallery from the Australian International Motor Show industry day. There are 128 photos in all and you can simply click on each thumbnail to access a 2000px super image.

Highlights include a couple of track specials in the form of the awesome Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and the rear-engined V6 Renault Megane Trophy. Others to look out for are the Toyota FT-86G concept, the Ford Focus RS, a trio of Lamborghini Gallardos and the highly desirable Audi R8 V10 Spyder, which looks great in all white.

Dedicated articles on the following cars can be access by clicking on the links below:

A big thank you to Daniel McKenna who joined the AUSmotive crew at AIMS and brought you many of the pictures you see here.

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New vehicle sales report – June 2010

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The end of financial year saw some big numbers in terms of new vehicle sales in Australia. In fact, the final sales tally of 108,722 vehicles is the highest selling month on record. It betters the previous monthly high by over 2000 sales, set back in June 2008.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales.”Year-to-date sales now sit at 531,168 and the FCAI has upped is 2010 prediction by 40,000 vehicles. It now expects 980,000 sales to be registered in 2010.

Toyota, Holden and Ford continue as the three highest selling marques. But that hasn’t stopped many other brands from bragging about their sales results.

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Audi Mitsubishi

Winding Road: Audi S4 v Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring

Audi S4 v Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring

The latest issue of Winding Road has what might appear to be an odd comparo, the Audi S4 up against the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MR Touring. In an Australian context comparing the Audi S4 and the closest match here, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, would seem something of an odd couple. After all, before statutory charges and final taxes, the S4 kicks off at $115,000, while the Evo (with dual clutch transmission) starts at $74,390.

On paper, though, comparing the 245kW S4 with the likely nimbler 217kW Evo starts to make a lot more sense. So, would you be better off buying the Evo and pocketing a Golf GTI with the change, or pooling your resources and getting the S4? You’ll need to read the article, of course, for the full run down, but here is a teaser for you:

“Where the Audi whispers soft messages about road an environment, the Evo stands on a ladder and hollers them at you while you’re sleeping.”

Want to hear the killer punch? US pricing on these cars, as tested is US$54,075 for the S4 and US$41,710 for the Evo. That’s around $58,500 compared to $45,200 on current exchange rates. Hmm, apart from reeling in horror at the blood sucking prices we’re paying in this country, you can now see why Winding Road pitted these two cars against each other.

Before you read the article, let us know in the comments section below which car you think will come out on top.

[Source: Winding Road]

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New vehicle sales report – December 2009

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According to official VFACTS figures released earlier today new vehicle sales in Australia for 2009 reached 937,328, an overall drop of 7.4% compared to 2008.

November’s cracking results showed the motor industry was well on the way to financial recovery and  December followed suit registering 88,708 sales. Which sets a new record for the month.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar acknowledged the role of the Federal Government’s tax incentives for businesses in returning better than expected yearly figures, “The final outcome for the year has surpassed the industry’s original expectations by some 57,000 vehicles and a significant proportion of this additional volume can be attributed to the tax break.”

Toyota (200,191), Holden (119,658) and Ford (96,501) were the top three selling marques. Toyota’s stranglehold on top spot looks very secure, despite the highest selling car in Australia for 2009 being the Holden Commodore (44,387). The Corolla (39,013) and HiLux (38,457) rounded out the top three selling models nationwide.

Other notable performers were Audi, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen. But it seems most manufacturers have a positive spin to sell and a raft of press releases to that affect follow this article.

Audi, intent on chasing BMW for the top selling prestige marque, concluded 2009 with their fifth year of growth. Impressively, the German brand bettered last year’s record by over 20% while recording 11,310 sales. A perfect end to the local career of Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann. The hard task master will be returning home to Germany at the end of this month—see carsales interview from December 2009.

Mitsubishi have put the corpse of the Magna well behind it, achieving best ever annual sales for the Lancer (21,362) and Triton (18,182).

Volkswagen improved on its 2008 record year by selling over 30,000 vehicles for the first time under the Volkswagen Group Australia banner.

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New vehicle sales report – October 2009

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Good news for the car industry last month, with sales increasing for the first time since the middle of last year. Official VFACTS data shows sales were up 2.2 per cent last month when compared to October 2008.

“The industry is looking to round out the year on a positive note and we expect a further surge in sales as businesses move to take advantage of the successful tax break prior to the end of the year,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

However, the overall downward trend remains for year-to-date new vehicle sales, which are down 11.7 per cent compared to the same period last year (762,787 sales to date).

Toyota, Holden and Ford round out the usual top three placings for overall sales, but that hasn’t stopped a number of manufacturers from putting their spin on things. A bunch of press releases to that effect can be viewed after the jump.

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Targa Tasmania 2009 – The winners

Targa Tasmania 2009

Tony Quinn (QLD) and Naomi Tillett (SA) in a 2008 Nissan GT-R have won this year’s Targa Tasmania. Quinn was at the pointy end of the field throughout the event, but he faced an eight second deficit to the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera of Kevin Weeks (SA) leading into the final day. And what a drama filled day it proved to be.

The cool and wet conditions which faced the drivers meant it was a case of finding that balance between pushing hard and simply staying on the black stuff.

The first stage of Leg 5, TS35 ‘Strahan’, was a 33.3km long stretch of unforgiving slippery tarmac. And with the start point on the edge of the town itself, drivers were given little chance to work much needed heat into their tyres and brakes.

Quinn fought desperately hard in the heavy GT-R and was 11 seconds faster than Weeks. The ball was now in Weeks’ court and he attempted to wrestle back the lead on the following 6.4km ‘Queenstown’ stage. The stage begins with a tight and twisty climb out of the mining town, before opening up into a frighteningly quick downhill section. It was here that the result of the rally was decided when Weeks lost control and flew off the bitumen into the roadside scrub and bushes.

It was a savage incident and Weeks and navigator Rebecca Crunkhorn were airlifted to Hobart General Hospital. Fortunately, both suffered little more than bruised pride, Crunkhorn was released later that day, but Weeks remained in hospital overnight with suspected rib injuries. The South Australian is expected to make a speedy recovery.

Local competitors Jason and John White, also in a Lamborghini Gallardo were now in second place. For the previous four days they formed part of a very tight leaderboard, but mechanical gremlins suffered by the Lambo on the final few stages meant that Tony Quinn would claim a six minute winning margin. The largest in the event’s 18 year history.

Quinn and Weeks have both come very close to winning Targa Tasmania in the past. Both are likeable characters and either driver would have proved to be a popular winner. Speaking at the post-rally function the following day “Quinny” was gracious in victory and expressed heartfelt thanks to the numerous well wishes and support he and navigator Naomi Tillet had received.

Targa Tasmania is a gruelling event, extremely tough on cars and a fierce mental test of driver and navigator, anyone who thinks Quinn won this event simply because he was driving a GT-R is kidding themselves.

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MIMS 2009 – Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi at the Melbourne International Motor Show

Mitusbishi’s main model on display was the tiny i MiEV, a production ready electric vehicle with a range of approximately 160km.

Mitsubishi Australia chief executive officer, Robert McEniry, said “This is the first time a production-ready electric vehicle has ever featured at an Australian motor show.

“Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are becoming increasingly common in this current environmentally conscious climate, but Australia hasn’t seen anything like the i MiEV before.”

The presentation was as cute the car itself. With a big screen showing young kids saying what they thought the car of the future would be. Groups of children then descended from the upper level of the Mitsubishi stand to dance around the i MiEV as it was revealed.

Also of note was a pair of Lancers decked out as Playstation 3 consoles and an Evo X in full Police detail.

Full press release on the i MiEV after the jump, along with a few more pics.

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Automotive industry supports Bushfire Appeal

Victorian Bushfires

Following the lead of Mercedes-Benz, two more manufacturers have donated cash towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Honda Australia, through its Honda Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to the cause. Joining Honda in today’s announcement is Nissan Australia and Nissan Motor Co. in Japan who will be offering a combined donation of $100,000.

Nissan Australia will also match donations made by its employees to the Australian Red Cross or Salvation Army. The company has also committed to a 100 vehicle loan fleet, allowing affected members of the public to apply for a free loan car, for a period of up to six months.

These announcements are a fantastic show of support and one would expect more manufacturers to follow in these very generous footsteps.

Where available, press statements from manufacturers are included after the jump.

UPDATE: Audi has made a “significant contribution” towards the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation which made a $1,000,000 donation earlier today.

Toyota has donated $100,000 to the Cricket Australia Bushfire Appeal. Ford also donated a Mondeo XR5 Turbo for auction, with all proceeds going to the appeal.

UPDATE 11 Feb: V8 Supercars have donated $100,000. (Source: The Australian)

BMW Group Australia has chipped in $100,000 plus other support.

UPDATE 12 Feb: News just in that Mitsubishi have donated $100,000 to the Appeal.

Holden has also come forward with a $152,000 (US$100,000) donation, via its GM Foundation, and a fleet of 300 loan cars available to bushfire victims for periods of 3-12 months. In addition to these pledges, Holden dealers nationawide have raised a further $200,000. (Source: news.com.au)

Update 13 Feb: The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced last night that it is donating $300,000 towards the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires.

Image: sourced from The Boston Globe

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