Mitsubishi News

Japanese based manufacturers Mitsubishi have announced a  price for their forthcoming electric car the i-MiEV

Previously in this blog we looked at the specs of the car which included:

• A range of 80 miles on one charge (seven hour recharge time)
• Exempt from Road Tax
• 12,000 miles of driving will cost around £100 in Fuel
• Free parking in London

When asked about the impact he thought the vehicle would have on the motor industry, Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi UK said:

“These are exciting times for the motor industry in the UK. This is the biggest change in the automotive industry since it began some one hundred years ago, so to be able to offer our zero emissions car for this price is a truly great achievement.”

The price Mitsubishi are asking for the i-MiEV?

Well for a first batch order, of which you will take delivery of in January 2011. Minus the £5,000 credit you will receive from the UK Government for buying an electric car.

You’re looking at a total of £33,699 including VAT.

The car which has a top speed of 81mph was trialled in the West Midlands late last year and has been met with overwhelming acclaim, car expert Quentin Wilson said:

“The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a forerunner of a transport revolution that eventually will change the world. At last here’s an electric car that doesn’t look like a church pew, seats four, does 80 mph and costs less than a quid to charge. What is there not to love?"

Mitsubishis Ralliart inc has scaled down its activities after financial problems.  

The High performance and motorsport division of Mitsubishi has announced that it will be ceasing the majority of its business activities.  The move comes as the company struggles to make it through the recession. 

The Japanese based company, which had revenues of just under £3.8 million in 2005, has stopped its support to motorsport costumers, ceased new planning development and merchandizing, and stopped giving information on products and other services. 

President of Ralliart inc, Masao Taguchi said; “Because of the sudden change of economic situation since the year before last, the business circumstances surrounding our company have become radically worse off.  As a result we have reached a conclusion that we Ralliart inc, would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010.”

The company which was established in 1984 and supported high profile motorsport teams.  It has a presence in the Dakar Rally, the World Rally Championship and the Australian Rally Championship.   It provided services to motor competitors all over the world. 

Mr Taguchi in speaking to motorsport fans urged them to keep supporting Mitsubishi teams and thanked people for their “patronage to our company”

The Mitsubishi colt is a small, reliable, inconspicuous city run around.  Ideal for anyone who wants an economic solution to getting around town.  

Although you’re not going to turn heads in this car, it is by no means ugly.   Its has a fresh and funky interior, which sets it apart from the completion.  Some of the opaque control knobs are backlight green when it is dark.  This further adds to its funky appeal.  

There is the usual safety equipment including front bags and ABS amongst other.   Some models even include side airbags too. 

Even though this is small car, you can still transport a lot around in it.   The rear seats easily fold down or they can be removed all together.

The engine sizes come in 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5.  The 1.5 also has the option of a turbo and there is a ‘RALLI-ART’ version for those who are a little more adventurous.    The larger engine sizes are recommended for those doing longer motorway miles.   However the smaller sizes are still pretty quick around town.

This car isn’t going to blow your socks off.  It will get you, your family and any belonging to your destination without fail and in good modesty.

Man worried about access in and out of his Mitsubishi Colt asks for help.

A disabled man who owns a 1.5 diesel Colt writes to the times to ask for a recommendation on choosing a new car.

Mr. RA, Marlow said “I currently run a Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 diesel. Due to a muscular problem that affects my quad muscles, I have to rely on my wife pulling me out of the car. That’s just not fair.

“I am hoping that you could recommend cars from which I could be able to step out. The problem with my present car is that the seats are too low. I have to be pulled out as a result.”

Telegraph lifestyle correspondent ‘Honest John’, said.”If the seat height is a problem then try a Suzuki Splash or Vauxhall Agila”. But he also added” The Three door colt is one of the most accessible cars of its size.”

Honest John Link – The Telegraph

Try leasebam for Mitsubishi car lease

Mitsubishis all electric vehicle.

The ‘I MEIV’ is an electric version of the I city car.   It has a 40kw engine which produces 60hp.  It has a lot of toque for a small car.  With 190nm and with it being electric, it is straight away available from go.

It has a range of 80 miles before you need to recharge.  Recharging is simple as it comes with an electric cable which plugs straight into a domestic supply.    Where you would normally find the fuel cap you find the plug.  Mitsubishi state it should take approximately 7 hours to recharge.  They are also bring out a new special cable which will be able to give 80% charge in 20 minutes.

Designed for the town, it should be able to get you around without much hassle.  On the motorways though it struggles; anything above 50 miles an results in a fast draining of the batteries.  It has quick acceleration up to 30mph and should keep you comfortable in those frustrating traffic jams.

The problem with the  environmental credentials of any electric cars is that any power they need still comes from the national grid.  Currently the majority of power still comes from fossil fuels.

It has generous room in the boot for a small car and it should fit 2 adults comfortably with room for some luggage.  Don’t expect to be capable of transporting the whole family though.  This car is much more suited a young single city goer

According to the Herald Sun in Australia the first plug in production cars will be arriving in Australia soon, manufactured by Mitsubishi. The iMiEV will be available on lease only and even though it is big news in Australia only 40 of them are arriving there. This costs are not cheap either at over $1700 Au dollars a month for 3 years, there is a huge range of executive cars you could lease cheaper, not to mention not having the hassle to charge up each night. Of course the real benefit is they are emission free, but who will be the lucky 40 individuals who will drive and get the publicity.

With a $33000 price tag, they are not cheap but like all electrical goods, there is an expectation that the price with freefall over the next 3 years. Nissan are currently manufacturing their electrical cars At Nissan in Sunderland UK.

If you fancy a Mitsubishi Leasing deal here in the UK, there is an online system ready for you.

Mitsubishi are one of the most renowned manufactures of 4×4’s. They have a good reputation for producing quality, affordable cars. The difference between most Mitsubishi 4×4’s and other top 4×4 brands, is that the Mitsubishi’s are one of the few car makes designed to actually go off-road. A lot of the popular 4×4’s today are designed mainly for tarmac, which just shows how the market has changed. The Mitsubishi engines also have a great reputation for being reliable. Models like the ‘Shogun’ have an MPG of about 30-35 and this doesn’t really drop even when using the towbar for caravans and such.

With the huge success of the first the peugeot 206cc, many other manufacturers have jumped on the band wagon to make minin sized hard top convertibles and the Mitsubishi Colt CZC hard top cabriolet is another one to compare. To be honest the price prompt is aimed more at the Micra CC than the Peugeot with prices starting at around £11k rather than the £13k of the peugeot.

Of course the benefits if these models is that you can have the roof down in summer, but be protected in the winter months with a hard top and not just a piece of cloth. the video of the Mitsubishi Colt CZC cabriolet below is not really a review but someone enjoying driving the car around some country area, with a bit a music thrown in.

the place for Mitsubishi Colt CZC Lease

or you can choose Mitsubishi Colt CZC Contract Hire

It start off by saying that the best selling car in the world is a pick up, as we know this is a ford and not the Mitsubishi L200 reviewed here, but it proves the point that pick up trucks do have their value and maybe other countries such as America are better at figuring this out.

We still see several Mitsubishi L200’s around every town and city in UK, compared with the average car, the driver sits in the clouds looking down on the rest of the world and as well as the warm interios to drive, its practibility is there for all to see with plenty of carrying space and off road capabilities.

We are seeing moer and moe of these vehicles being leased to busines owners who live in the country of have wekend pursuits as well as the farmer, who needs modern transport.

The Mitsubishi L200 has been around for some time now, although in different guises, for some these vehicles are the ideal solution.

Watch the Mitsubishi L200 review, from Motors dot com talking about the States, of course this is where the big market is and where this car needs to impress.

If you want Mitsubishi L200 Lease

Or you can get Mitsubishi Contract hire

In August, again the three top most requested models for Mitsubishi were

1. the Mitsubishi Shogun 5 Door ,
2. Mitsubishi Carisma 5Dr HatchBack and
3. The Mitsubishi Colt 3Dr HatchBack.

The steadily rising demand for Mitsubishi vehicle parts at leading UK Vehicle Parts Locator has prompted Car Spare Finder to renew its strategy to actively seeking more quality used Mitsubishi UK Vehicle dismantlers.

In August 2009 Car Spare Finder had, as usual,  a highly varied range of Mitisubishi vehicle  part requests, including  for example:

Vehicle: MITSUBISHI SHOGUN 3Dr Estate GLX TD DID 3200cc Diesel Manual (2000-2000)

Part Required: GEARBOX (5SP AUTO) (Automatic Gearbox SWB)

Vehicle: MITSUBISHI CARISMA 5Dr HatchBack CLASSIC DI-D 1870cc Diesel Manual (2003-)

Part Required: AIRCON PUMP

Vehicle: MITSUBISHI PAJERO 5Dr Estate (SHOGUN) EXCEED TD 2477cc Diesel Auto (1990-1995)

Part Required: ENGINE COMPLETE (Diesel)

Vehicle: MITSUBISHI GALANT 4Dr Saloon GLS I AUTO 1997cc Petrol Auto (1993-1997)

Part Required: GEARBOX (4SP AUTO)

Demand is spread evenly across the board in terms of Mitsubishi models, vehicle ages, model ranges and parts.  It is noticeable that there is strong demand for older Mitsubishi parts, which are increasingly harder to come by. It is common to get get daily remand for ECUs (engine management systems),  engines, gearboxes, cylinder heads, Injector pump, Aircon Pump, and many substantial Mitsubishi vehcile parts.

Another thing worthy of mention,  in the month of August – usually quite quiet in terms of demand for Mitsubishi car and van parts,  is a contined demand for the Mitsubishi Canter pick up. As you probably know, the Mitsubishi Canters are available in three basic chassis sizes ranging up to the 7.5-tonne.  In August Car Spare Finder has seen steady demand for the Mitisubishi Canter 35 Diesel Engines available via its website specifically designed for Mitsubishi vehicle parts consumers looking for Mitsubishi Canter-35 van parts.