Mitsubishi Releases 2.0-liter Versions of New and... Old Outlander in Japan

As a rule, when an automaker goes ahead and facelifts one of its vehicles, the previous version is expelled from the range. Apparently that's not the case with Mitsubishi and its Japanese domestic market Outlander. The company has just released two new variants of the compact crossover, one called Roadest that's based on the new model with the EVO snout featuring a sporty body kit, and the other on the pre-facelift model.

Both variants are fitted with a new entry-level 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 148PS at 6,000 rpm and 20.1kgm of peak torque at 4,200 rpm.

The base Outlander 20E (pre-facelift body) is available with 2WD or AWD and is priced from 1,995,000 Yen, which comes to around US$21,800 or €15,100.

The Outlander Roadest 2.0 with the sporty aero parts, also offered with 2WD or AWD, starts from 2,475,900 Yen, or about US$27,100 / €18,800 at today's exchange rates.

New Mitsubishi RVR: First Official Photos of Compact Crossover, Positioned Under the Outlander

These are the first official images of Mitsubishi's all-new compact crossover which bears the name 'RVR'. With this model, the Japanese automaker expands its crossover lineup, which already includes the full-size Pajero (also known as Shogun and Montero in some markets), and the recently updated mid-size Outlander.

Inspired by the Japanese firm's 2007 cX concept, the RVR makes use of Mitsubishi's mid-size global platform, which also forms the basis for the Lancer and Outlander.

However, at 4.3 meters in length, the RVR is 365mm (14.4-in.) shorter than the current Outlander SUV.

The compact crossover model will be offered at launch with an all-new 1.8L MIVEC petrol engine, though it is almost certain that Mitsubishi will add a diesel variant for some markets in the near future.

Mitsubishi said that the RVR will be released globally, including North America, Europe, and Asian regions including China, with sales set to start first in Japan next Spring.

Peugeot Begins Accepting Pre-Orders for All-Electric i0n Mini

Even though we're still a full year away from the European market launch of the iOn, Peugeot has already started to take pre-reservations for the all-electric car in the UK. Revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the i0n is actually a rebadged Mitsubishi i-MiEV. As part of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Mitsubishi deal, Citroen will also launch its own version of the i-MiEV called the C-Zero.

With four doors and four seats, and a compact length of 3.48 m, the i0n is powered by a 64bhp electric motor that allows it to reach a top speed of 80mph or 129 km/h.

The small city car has a driving range of 80 miles (129 km) on a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries which can be recharged in six hours through a conventional mains power supply or recharged to 80% capacity within thirty minutes with a fast charging system.

Peugeot has not disclosed prices for the i0n. However, we do know that in Japan, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is priced from 4,599,000 Yen (that's €34,500 or $51,300 at today's exchange rates), which is more than twice the cost of a Toyota Prius.

Mitsubishi Small Crossover: Official Designs Show the Less Exciting Nature of the Production Model

Remember how promising Mitsubishi's all-new small crossover looked in the teaser sketch that was released back in October? Well, if these official designs are of any indication, then the reality is that the as-yet unnamed crossover won't be as near as exciting as Mitsubishi wanted us to believe. On the other hand, the production model does retain most of the styling cues featured on the 2007 Mitsubishi cX concept, on which it is based, with most changes concerning the rear end of the car that appears to have grown in length.

Leaving the styling aside, Mitsubishi's baby crossover uses the Japanese firm's mid-size global platform, which also forms the basis the Lancer and Outlander. However, the new model will be smaller than the Outlander and will compete, at least in Europe, against Nissan's forthcoming Quazana crossover.

Power will come from four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines including Mitsubishi's new 1.8-liter turbocharged that made 136 horsepower and 280 Nm of peak torque in the 2007 cX concept.

The new crossover is scheduled to go on sale in Japan next February, and in Europe and other markets, in the summer of 2010.

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT with EVO's S-AWC: Full Image Gallery and Pricing of Top-End Model

Along with the introduction of the rest of the 2010 Outlander facelift range, Mitsubishi's U.S. division also uncovered the top-of-the-line GT model which is based on the New York Show Outlander GT prototype that previewed the redesigned model earlier this year. And while Mitsubishi didn't stick with the prototype's lower exterior trim finish, 19-inch O.Z. alloys, aluminum roof finish and the specific three-spoke steering wheel, what it did keep on the production GT is a version of the Lancer EVO X's S-AWC or Super All-Wheel Control system.

The S-AWC system uses an active front limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled four-wheel drive coupling to prevent wheel slip between front to rear and side-to-side thus improving handling, traction and stability.

The 2010 Outlander GT also gets 18-inch alloy wheels, enhanced interior trim with leather seats and an available full leather treatment for the dashboard, sport seats, alloy pedals, a multi color 3.5-inch LCD between the gauges, a sunroof and an upgraded 710-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system.

Just like the 2010 Outlander XLS, the GT benefits from the tweaked 3.0-liter V6 engine that gets a 10-horsepower bump for 2010, now producing 230HP at 6,250 rpm and 204 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. Power is transfered to the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters.

The new Outlander GT is priced in the U.S. from $29,250 (excluding destination and handling fees).