Spied: Next Mitsubishi Outlander Revealed!

We first got a taste of what Mitsubishi had in mind for its next Outlander/Pajero SUV at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, when the small (ailing?) company introduced a concept that traded heavily on the brand’s impressive off-road history. While that concept gave us a sense of the company’s future styling direction, though, these pictures from Indian Autos Blog show a completely undisguised 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander/Pajero … and it looks great!

The new Mitsubishi Outlander (Pajero) is set to debut at the 2015 Bangkok International Grand Motor Sale/Show, which is also expected to see the introduction of an all-new Mitsubishi diesel engine that will produce more than 300 lb-ft of torque from just 2.4 liters.

As for me, I’m hoping we’ll finally get the award-winning plug-in hybrid version of the Mitsubishi Outlander here in the ‘States- and that it’ll be wearing this sexy new skin when it and if it does arrive!

Still, I’m just the one guy- and probably not a buyer on this, anyway- so it hardly matters what I think. What do you guys think? Is this latest redesign going to help push the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander to new sales heights, or will it end up being a final footnote in the brand’s story before they pull out of North America forever? Check out the (depressingly low-res) images, below, then let us know what you think in the comments.

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander (Pajero) SUV

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Source | Images: Indian Autos Blog.

Mitsubishi Boss Talks PHEVs, New Montero for US

Mitsubishi seemed like it was on the verge of closing up its US shop just a few short years ago- but the brand is experiencing something of a renaissance of late, thanks to excellent new products like the forward-looking MiEV electric car, the fun-to-drive Mirage CVT (which happens to be the highest MPG car you can buy that’s not a hybrid), and the award-winning Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid. What’s next for the once-struggling brand?

Profit.

“When I took office in 2005,” explains Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko, “I don’t think there were many people who had confidence that a turnaround would come … We are finally starting to see the fruits of the seeds we have planted. We’re delivering a profit. This year, we laid the foundation for paying a dividend next year.”

Those profits and dividends are going to go precisely where they’re needed: towards new product. One of those products, considered key to Mitsubishi’s recovery in the US, is a new full-size 2015 Mitsubishi Montero SUV based on the Pajero Hybrid concept shown at this year’s Tokyo Auto Show. Throughout Masuko’s interview with Automotive News, however, the Mitsubishi boss talks about the next phase of Mitsubishi’s turnaround plans. The meaty stuff for Gas 2 fans and green gearheads, though, is the commitment to more EVs, PHEVs, and hybrids coming from the brand as Mitsubishi strengthens its ties with Renault and Nissan. “With Nissan and Renault,” he says, “we’re considering producing an all-electric minicar. We want to bring together our experts to bring down battery costs. And as an extension of that, we may consider an EV application in a car bigger than a minicar … regarding the next generation (MiEV), we’re not sure if it would be the same size. It might be better to have a vehicle a little larger.”

Could that mean that a Mitsubishi-badged version of the next Smart car/Renault Twingo might be coming to the US? The current Smart uses a Mitsubishi-sourced drivetrain, and the 4-door Twingo badged as a Mitsu wouldn’t directly compete with Mercedes’ Smart brand. What do you think?

Sources: Autoblog, Automotive News.

Mitsubishi Pajero successor still years away, but plug-in hybrid tech likely

You might not know it from looking at today's Mitsubishi showrooms, but the struggling Japanese automaker has a pretty enviable reputation for producing robust off-roaders. Its Pajero SUV built a solid reputation worldwide on the back of its durability in harsh climates, earning it consideration alongside the likes of venerable explorers like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Range Rover. Unfortunately, the Pajero eventually succumbed to one particularly harsh climate – the North American truck market. After enjoying a long run, Mitsubishi finally pulled the plug on the SUV's Montero twin after the 2006 model year. Blame evolving consumer tastes, low brand visibility, a lackluster marketing budget, or the need for updated product – in fact, go ahead and blame all of the above.

Despite its age, the current fourth-generation Pajero (itself arguably an extensive rework of the previous model) has been carrying a lot of water for the brand in other parts of the world since its debut in 2006. So it's pretty well time for a new one. Problem is, its replacement is still a ways off. That's according to Australia's Go Auto, which has learned that the next-generation Pajero could still be three years away, if not longer.

According to Go Auto, the next model will be a much-changed beast, with design targets including a major weight loss and increased efficiency to go along with more luxurious appointments. In order to make gains in fuel economy, the plug-in hybrid technology that the company has already introduced for its new Outlandercrossover will likely be a part of the SUV's development program.

With the next generation still years away from completion, there is understandably no word on whether Mitsubishi will consider bringing back the Pajero/Montero to North America to boost its volume and image. Company execs have repeatedly pledged to stay the course in North America despite disastrous sales totals, but as we're talking a few years from now, Mitsubishi will have to keep the lights on with new products like the Mirage subcompact.

Do you think bringing a lighter and more efficient next-generation Pajero/Montero here would help reverse the brand's course in this market? Have your say in Comments.



Source: Autoblog