The new Mitsubishi Mirage that was introduced last year to the Asian markets will replace the current Colt in Mitsubishi’s range over here in Europe. At the moment it is not clear whether the model will still use the Colt name or not, but it seems certain that it will make its debut in 2013, and here are a few spy shots picturing a lightly camouflaged European version of the car captured during a test. Apparently, the car will get some slightly changed details and is will probably come with a different set-up than its Asians cousins.

Since Mitsubishi is producing the new Mirage at their new plant in Thailand, it seems quite likely that European version of this model will end up being much cheaper to produce than the outgoing Colt, which is being assembled at the Born plant, in the Netherlands. Even if it is slightly smaller than the current Colt, Mitsubishi says the Mirage will still be able to accommodate up to five adults (obviously including the driver). Power is expected to come from a range of petrol engines starting with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine with start/stop

Mitsubishi releases the first teaser (above) of a yet unnamed Crossover model in view of its official unveiling at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18). This car will also anticipate the new design language that the Japanese carmaker will adopt for most of its future models, and is expected to go on sale in several markets around the globe in the second half of the year.

The teaser shows us just a shaded glimpse of the front of this mysterios car, hence there is not much else that we can say about it for now. However, the lines of its grille and the layout of the headlights are pretty reminiscent of the PX-MiEV II Concept - that was firstly introduced at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon - whereas that large air-intake integrated in the front bumper looks more similar to what we had seen on the first PX-MiEV Concept, displayed at the same event in 2009. That prototype was equipped with an hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing 81 hp, so we would expect the new model to have a similar powertrain as well. We expect more teasers and info about this car to surface before its debut in Geneva.

via | Autocar

Mitsubishi will launch a special edition of its Shogun SUV model - a.k.a Pajero and Montero in other markets - quite simply dubbed ‘Black’ which, in the comparison to the regular model, is supposed to have just an aesthetic enhancement. The car is named after the color of satin black styling kit, which includes black 20″ alloys, roof, spoiler, wing mirrors, front grille, headlamp and fog lamp surrounds, door handles, badges and side steps. As for the body of the car itself, it will be available in 5 different colors: Frost White, Cool Silver, Diamond Black, Orient Red and Granite Brown.

The Mitsubishi Shogun Black will be powered by a 3.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit delivering 197 hp and 441 Nm (325 lb/ft) of peak torque. Other remarkable features of this version include a communication system with sat-nav, parking camera, iPod connectivity, leather interior and auto lights and wipers.

via | CarScoop

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - a.k.a “Evo” - is going hybrid, and the new 2014 model will make use of an electric and, quite surprisingly, a diesel engine. In an interview with Autocar, Mitsubishi’s President Osamu Masuko just confirmed that the long awaited Evo XI will be an hybrid car, but the prestigious English magazine takes it for granted that it will have a diesel-electric powertrain. Apparently, the move will allow the new Evo to contain its CO2 emissions level under 200 g/km while preserving its high performance. Besides, the combined power of the two engines and the advanced S-AWC four-wheel drive should provide the car with enough torque to keep its 0-100 km/h sprint time under 5 seconds. No information was released about the plug-in syestem adopted by the new Evo, although the model should be strictly related to the PX-MiEV concept.

Just a while ago we did not think we would have ever seen another Evolution again. There were no plans for a re-launch as Mitsubishi seemed to focus on more eco-friendly vehicles, but it was the pressure from Mr.Masuko himself that had the Lancer Evolution reinstated in Mitsubishi’s range, although it will be quite a different type of beast. The Evo model boasts a successful history in WRC racing, with 4 consecutive world titles clinched by legendary Finnish driver Tommy Makinen in the late 90s, and the name is still held dear by many. We will see whether an hybrid version of the Evo with the sound of a 4-cylinder diesel engine will be warmly welcomed by those once used to RalliArt’s massive roar.

New PSA Group SUV models will be developed in partnership with Mitsubishi. A new plan to use the ASX SUV however, is focused on developing two European SUVs with very different characteristics to their Japanese counterpart. The previous models of the Outlander, 4007 and C-Crosser are considered too similar one to the other to compete in a market where personalised options and characteristic design is important.

The Citroen-Peugeot new SUVs will arrive in 2013 with improved interiors and updated personal design features. According to Automobile Magazine, we can also expect modified technical components, with a new engine range starting at a 1.6 VTi petrol unit, with 120 hp and front-wheel drive.

The rest of the range will likely have turbodiesel HDi offerings with all-wheel drive options, too. The PSA Group SUV names are still “secret” but rumours suggest we could get a Citroen C-Crossback and a Peugeot RXC.

New Peugeot Citroen SUV renderings

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV production for Europe has commenced but it leaves us wondering just how many of these cars we need on the European car market. The factory producing the vehicles has also started its production of the French siblings to the i-MiEV, the Citroen C-Zero and the Peugeot iOn.

While the i-MiEV has been on sale in Japan since last year, plans for sales of the three models put together are to total 5,000 units (from April 2010 to March 2011). Just how all three models will be distributed is anyone’s guess, though. The i-MiEV will be available in Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain from December, with other markets to follow at the end of 2011.

There’s no doubt that these kinds of cars are becoming more popular in European urban centres but what with Smart and the Toyota iQ, plus the two French models and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, just how many of these will be absorbed by the European market is difficult to say. Citroen has announced that orders for its C-Zero model so far total 800 but most of these have been purchased in company leasing arrangements. Just 63 have been ordered by private customers in Norway.

The Peugeot 4007 - the SUV from the Lion’s Lair developed jointly with Mitsubishi - will receive a mid-career restyling before the end of the year. The updated 4007 could be unveiled in September, on the occasion of the next Frankfurt Auto Show. At the same time, at the German festival the restyled Citroen C-Crosser could be presented, which, like the 4007, was also born from the Mitsubishi Outlander. The biggest change in the two French SUVs will be the adoption of the new 3.0-liter V6 HDi engine with 240 hp which just made its debut under the hoods of the Citroen C5 and the C6.

From | Autonews.fr

Nissan saw the greatest decline with a drop of 68.8 percent in vehicles destined for the local market, and a 37.8 percent drop in those headed for export. Mitsubishi and Toyota also followed with a 65 and 64 percent decline in the Japanese market.

Dramatic figures also come from Mazda and Honda with a drop of 54.6 and 48.4 percent respectively, while Suzuki is the only manufacturer managing to maintain decline at 19.6 percent.

Source | LeBlog Auto

I’ll admit that when I first saw this car, I didn’t know which was the front and which was the back! But the Mitsubishi I-MIEV Sport Air prototype has a cute look and it’s all ecological. This little car is equipped with an 82hp electric motor, with lithium ion batteries. And it’s looking pretty in blue.

Mitsubishi I-MIEV Sport Air

Would you like to try a Bentley in extreme driving conditions in the arctic region? Sounds good for a kind of high class, extreme sports holiday but it might be a bit out of your reach, so in compensation we give you this Power on Ice video from Bentley.

It’s an extreme driving course showing the lovely vehicles on action in the snow, and in February it will be held in Finland. Vehicles available include the Continental Flying Spur, GT and GTC.

Here we give you a landslide of shots of the Mitsubishi Colt presented in Paris, 2008. The Japanese company had already had its live press event, and now it supplies us with the shots of the sporty people mover.

Mitsubishi will have its debut at the next edition of Dakar, in South America, with a brand new car - the Racing Lancer. This prototype, news of it sent to us by the guys at Motorsportblog.it could repeat the success of the Pajero Evolution and, commercially, will give a preview of the Lancer Crossover style which will debut in October in Paris.

It’s similar to the Lancer family and the Cx concept, although under the bonnet there’s no 2.0 turbo Lancer Evolution, but a three-litre V6 turbodiesel at about 260hp. More photos after the jump.