Mitsubishi’s 2016 Pajero Sport SUV Struts Its Rugged New Suit

In recent years, Mitsubishi has rather languished into obscurity; apart from the rally-bred Evolution X, there’s nothing in their lineup that I would call remotely desirable. 

The Mirage is cheap and awful, the Lancer is past its shelf expiry date; Pajero/Montero? - well that SUV makes the Lancer look fresh. Other offerings like theASX/Outlander Sport, Outlander and new Triton/L200 ute are the only vehicles luring buyers back to the Japanese carmaker. 

However, all is not lost; Mitsubishi are aware of their predicament and are hard at work developing new models to draw punters back to diamond-badged brand. One of these vehicles in particular is the all-newChallenger/Pajero Sport SUV - recently leaked online in ‘patent cgi’ form. It’s a vehicle that’s likely to do well for Mitsubishi, so I’ve taken an extended and illustrated look at what to expect.

Dynamic Shield Design:

One of the changes that Mitsubishi are making to lure punters back is employing a new ‘dynamic’ design language. Inspired by the GC-PHEV Concept, the new styling direction will help strengthen brand identity with more consistent aesthetics across the automaker’s lineup. 

For Challenger/Pajero Sport, the change starts with a new ‘Dynamic Shield’ front fascia. This embodies a very dominant upright chrome grille which curves inwards from the lower headlamps, then back-arcs outwards just above the fog lamps.  

As the fundamentals are shared with the new Triton / L200 truck, it retains that vehicle’s fender creases, front doors, hood, and windscreen.

On The Inside:

Much of the interior trim is also expected to be shared with the Triton, with exception of different trims and finishes. Compared with the out-going Pajero/Montero Sport, there’s more leg room and the cabin itself is bigger almost in every aspect. 

Expect flappy paddles - as seen in the Lancer and ASX; other goodies will also likely mirror the Triton’s. So cue push-button start, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electric front seats, 6” touch screen with reversing camera and satellite navigation. 

What Could Drive It:

Powering it will be Mitsubishi’s new 2.4L MIVEC inter-cooled turbo diesel engine, that pumps out 135kW/181 horses of power and 437Nm/322 foot pounds of torque. Announcement of any petrol V6 versions will most likely be made further down the line. 

Power will be fed via new 6-speed manual and 5 speed automatic transmissions through Mitsubishi’s new generation Super Select 4WD II system. This has four driving modes including an locked 4WD mode. Torque distribution is split 40/60 front/rear in full time 4WD mode for improved handling. 

Market Positioning

As the Pajero Sport is pickup-based, its closest direct rivals are mainly found in Asia-Pacific and some European markets. These are the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, Holden Colorado7/Isuzu MUX and Nissan’s newNavara-based SUV which is tipped to be currently in development. 

Don’t expect BMW X5-like handling dynamics as the Mitsubishi will be competing in a 7-seat SUV segment that’s more value orientated than the pinnacle of refinement. However if it looks good enough then it might just pull more punters back to the stagnant Japanese carmaker. A full reveal is tipped for later this year as a MY2016 model. 

Finally what do you think of it - yay or nay?  Tell us your views in the discussion area below. 

By Josh Byrnes

Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

BMW S'ALLIE À SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

C'est une nouveauté très attendue qui fera son apparition dans toutes les concessions BMW à la fin de l'année. Avec l'i3, la marque à l'hélice fera son entrée dans le domaine de plus en plus concurrentiel des véhicules électriques. Aussi, pour préparer au mieux ce lancement, la firme munichoise vient de s'associer avec deux spécialistes du genre : le Français Schneider Electric et l'Allemand TMH. Le but de la manœuvre sera pour ses deux entreprises de livrer leurs services aux futurs acheteurs de l'i3.

L'accord entre les trois parties "inclut la vérification des installations électriques au domicile du client, la fourniture et la mise en place de la borne de recharge murale ainsi que sa maintenance et d'autres service annexes", comme le précise le communiqué de BMW. L'objectif pour ce dernier étant d'être capable de fournir dès le début de la commercialisation tout le dispositif d'équipements et de services nécessaire pour une utilisation optimale d'un véhicule électrique.

BMW M6 Gran Coupé : les premières photos

Depuis la sortie de la Série 6 Gran Coupé, des rumeurs affirment qu’une déclinaison badgée M est dans les cartons. En fin de semaine dernière, Motorsport a confirmé l’arrivée de ce modèle, en dévoilant sur son site les premières photos de la M6 Gran Coupé.

Sans grande surprise, ce coupé quatre-portes sportif n’est pas très différent esthétiquement d’un exemplaire équipé du Pack M. Il reçoit tout de même des jantes spécifiques, des ouïes sur les ailes avant estampillées M tandis que le toit adopte sans doute le creux déjà présent sur celui de la M6 Coupé.

Pour le moment, aucune information n’a été communiquée, tous les détails seront connus en décembre. Il paraît cependant logique que cette troisième variante de M6 reçoive le V8 4.4 biturbo de 560, présent sous le capot de coupé et cabriolet.

BMW 1M Coupe Touched by Best Cars and Bikes

The BMW 1M Coupe must’ve received more tuning packages than production units by now and here we are giving you a new aftermarket package for the car.

This comes from Best Cars and Bikes, who played with the 1M’s tech side and exterior. We’ll start under the hood, where the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight six received an 85 hp power boost to 425 hp. Unfortunately, the tuning company hasn’t released the performance specs for the vehicle, but we’ll remind you that the stock vehicle needs 4.9 seconds to complete the 0 to 62 mph.

The 1M Coupe’s handling has also been touched, as Best Cars and Bikes has gifted the car with a coilover suspension coming from German specialist KW. In addition to that, the standard rims of the cars were ditched for a set of 20-inch Schmidt Revolution wheels.

BMW recalls 1.3 million cars

One of the world's largest automakers issued a major recall this week, in response to potential safety concerns.

Germany-based BMW, the world's largest luxury carmaker, said this week it would recall more than 1.3 million vehicles in one of its largest such recalls in years. The automaker said the recall would affect certain models of its 5- and 6-series cars that were manufactured between 2003 and 2010.

BMW has faced mounting competition from other luxury automakers over the past few years as it sought to maintain its dominance in the global auto market. The company said it issued the recall because in rare cases, a batter cable covering the trunk was incorrectly installed in certain vehicle models. The defect could potentially prevent affected cars from starting, while it may also spark a fire in other models, the company said.

The luxury carmaker has improved supply chain management over the past year in an effort to improve reliability and quality. The Associated Press reports the company plans to notify owners by letter and will pay for the repairs, which should only take roughly 30 minutes.