Perhaps as a result of what Mitsubishi had learned thus far since the introduction of the Outlander PHEV in Europe, Japan and Australia — as well as a MY 2016 redesign — the United States-bound PHEV “will be completely different,” according to both Mitsubishi Motors North America Executive Vice President Don Swearingen and U.S. PR boss Alex Fedorak.
Autoblog reports the SUV — now set to arrive in November 2015 — will have an interior with materials that look and feel “less value-oriented,” while its battery monitor can look each cell along with the overall pack. It will also likely take its styling cues from the GC-PHEV and XR-PHEV concepts, both debuting at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show last November.
Meanwhile, the 2015 Outlander Sport may soon possess a 2.4-liter I4 to go with its 2-liter variant as Fedorak and his employer’s dealer network discuss what needs to be done to make the bigger engine a better sell; early results point to stronger highway overtaking ability.
Finally, although Mitsubishi’s long-term goal is to evolve into “an SUV/crossover-type company,” cars will still have a role in the near-term, especially the Mirage compact. Despite most publications giving the Mirage a good thrashing — though our rising superstar managing editor had a different sort of thrashing in mind — Fedorak claims the compact is outselling both the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris; the latter is ahead of the Mitsubishi by 265 units through the end of June.
“Meanwhile, the 2015 Outlander Sport may soon possess a 2.4-liter I4 to go with its 2-liter variant as Fedorak and his employer’s dealer network discuss what needs to be done to make the bigger engine a better sell; early results point to stronger highway overtaking ability.”
I can’t make sense of this, and I’ve read it four times now.
Rearranging the Titanic’s deck chairs, that’s what this is.
Well, a Titanic that only has steerage, that sold tickets on (poor) credit.
My favorite: “‘Autoblog reports the SUV — now set to arrive in November 2015 — will have an interior with materials that look and feel “less value-oriented,’”
Hmmm. Less value-oriented = cheap. I see things haven’t changed much with the nicey-nice lies since I worked w/MMSA. Alex Fedorak is a good guy. I’m sorry that he’s no longer with Subaru, a company worth of his talents.
I just read Consumer Reports’ road test of the Mirage. I believe the word “horrid” was in there. That is a good and thorough spanking.
I guess the parent co. in Japan doesn’t see much downside in keeping the lights on for a little while longer.
This reads just like when GM used to say, “The Good Stuff is Just Around the Corner.”
Good to see that Chrysler and Mitsubishi has renewed their partnership and rebadged the Durango as the new montero.. What’s that? They didn’t???