As a global vehicle, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is already something of a name-shifter. In Europe the compact crossover is called the ASX, and in Japan (and Pacific Rim export markets) it’s part of the proud RVR lineage that dates back to the Eagle Summit. And now it’s shifting shapes as well, morphing into a set of French twins: the Citroen C4 Aircross and the Peugeot 4008. And unlike their big siblings, the blatantly Outlander-based 4007 and C-Crosser, these twins are from the new school of brand-engineering. In terms of sheet metal, only the doors carry over directly from the Outlander Sport… although the roofline gives away the secret. But the fact that PSA is rebadging Mitsubishis at all might just give you a little insight into why Mitsu is doing relatively well as a company, despite a weak image and sagging sales in the US: a little market share in a lot of markets still pays the bills.
…in Japan (and Pacific Rim export markets) it’s part of the proud RVR lineage that dates back to the Eagle Summit.
FWIW, it’s also called the RVR in Canada. I suppose we’re Pacific rim in a very, very loose sense of the word.
The RVR isn’t really a bad little trucklet. It’s a little cheap-and-cheerful inside, but it rides and drives well enough. The engine, though, is not good. Mitsubishi can’t seem to make a good one unless it’s boosted to within an inch of it’s life.
My Honda dealer is struggling a bit with these rebadges, as he also sells Citroen. That means he technically has ASXs and Outlanders sitting next to CR-Vs in the showroom. I guess in a way he now has the ability to cater for every need, but he is also competing against himself…
If Mitsubishi were doing well, they would not be planning source the new Diamante from Nissan in JDM. They are not doing well, and the EV “leadership” is a desperate gamble.
look at the iMiev? is this a real EV or a toy car?
the Outlander isn’t a bad girl truck… just behind the times with two ancient 2.4 and 3.5 petrol motors
i think the French actually use some pretty decent diesel motors which is a unique selling point
Lets hope the Mitsu genes help to improve the reliability image over at PSA. Citroen has lost the alluring mystique from the days of the DS, GS, SM and CX when it could be radical and dare to be different. Aujourd’hui PSA is almost banal and fleet dependent. Napoleon replaced by Renaud.
Citroen isn’t radical? Have you seen the new DS lines? Or the C6, which still looks like nothing else on the road, several years after it came out?
Peugeot’s RCZ is stunning.
PSA does need to fix the 308 and C4 though, and the new EGC semi-auto is garbage. PSA is still using 4 speed automatics in other cars, which is inexcusable these days.