2007 Mitsubishi 380 Face Lift

By Alborz Fallah | February 09th, 2007

Mitsubishi has confirmed that its struggling 380 will receive a much needed face lift before June this year. The minor facelift will include some external changes (rumored to be the headlights) whilst it will get a revised interior. Furthermore, Mitsubishi are not too happy about the number of different model variants that are current on offer.

The five specification levels on sale are only managing to sell a tad over 1,000 units per month. A significant increase over 2006′s January sales figures of around 700, but nonetheless, Mitsubishi was hoping to sell 3,000 380s per month, a number which seems almost inconceivable at this stage.

Mitsubishi’s communications manager Lenore Fletcher said

“We are looking at the variants and the specifications of the model range, what we are looking at is the most effective and efficient way to streamline the model line-up.”

Current models of the 380:

ES Sedan 4dr Man 5sp 3.8i
ES Sedan 4dr Auto 5sp 3.8i
SX Sedan 4dr Man 5sp 3.8i
SX Sedan 4dr Auto 5sp 3.8i
VR-X Sedan 4dr Man 5sp 3.8i
VR-X Sedan 4dr Auto 5sp 3.8i
LX Sedan 4dr Auto 5sp 3.8i
GT Sedan 4dr Auto 5sp 3.8i

Also since we are on the subject of the 380, the Supercharged 380 TMR is looking more and more likely to go into actual production:

“An exciting performance variant of that type would be a great halo car for the 380 but of course it has to make economic sense. We are working through a few options and while nothing is confirmed it is certainly not off the radar.” Fletcher said

Whilst the 380 is no where near being a success, a 30% increase in sales over last year is a good start. Lets just hope with the new face lift, the car will actually be worth looking at!

Lazybones

Looks like Damo’s tip-off was correct…

Personally I think the 380 is going to need a face & arse lift and a more fuel efficient engine. Before it sees a serious lift in sales.

May be its time to add a diesel and or an LPG to the range?
http://www.alborzfallah.com alborz

I think a face lift would do the car wonders
I just hope its not another ugly face lift
this is why car companies need to release pictures of prototype “face lifts” and new models so that the general public can at least give them some feedback, It will always be a mixed feedback but its better than not knowing then releasing something like the AU falcon or the Last generation Magna
steane

Yes, it looks like Damo does have a reliable source. Hopefully Mitubishi get it right this time. Given their track record I am not overly confident but you never know.

They have made a few mistakes with the 380. They priced it wrong initially and unless I’m mistaken have already revised their model line-up once?

Makes it hard for such a ‘hanging in the balance’ model to be the success they need.
Damo

Yeah, I heard about the facelift thing a few months ago, just never told many people. By the way, in an effort to boost sales it is going to be exported to some RHD countries (mainly european) and there will be a 2.4 mivec engine for the Proton model it is replacing. There are more unconfirmed rumours of a turbo diesel and I can easily see a factory lpg coming out. The rear end will be basically the same with led taillights, the front end will be a bit like the new lancer from what I have been told, which would be a lot better than using the ageing runout lancer. An AWD model will be unlikely unless sales pickup but it would be relatively simple as they could take it from the US ralliart eclipse which the normal models uses the same drivetrain and wheelbase platform. Back to the bit about the 2.4 mivec, which is 4 cylinder, I doubt it will be called a 380 minus a bit, so expect it to possibly be something like what Toyota do by having a Camry and Aurion which are both pretty similar.
http://www.alborzfallah.com alborz

thanks for sharing all of this with us Damo!
I really hold high hopes for the new 380!
I think Mitsubishi will do well once the GSR and EvoX and the revised 380 are in full swing.
steane

I like the idea of a turbo-diesel. This type of engine is exactly whats needed. The average Australian can have the bottom end torque they love and get the fuel economy of a 4 cylinder!
I think we will be seeing a lot more of the diesel in future Australian mid-large models. They make sense in this country, particularly now that our diesel fuel is a decent quality.
Myke

Would they call the 2.4L 380 the Galant?
Damo

Not a bad source I am you say? Not bad for someone who is a month off of turning 15.
steane

Thats alright Damo, we won’t hold your age against you. 15 year olds can be passionate and have opinions about cars…they just can’t drive them!
http://www.brycerox.com Damo

learnt it from bryce
http://www.brycerox.com Damo

any 1 want some ice cream?
Brent

Coming from a Mitsubishi representative, yes there is a diesel prototype in testing, however the problem with diesel is convincing customers (ie. women) that diesel is no longer a dirty and smelly fuel to fill at a service station. And I asked if a 380 with the 2.4L would be called a 240 (as a joke), and he said it would still be called a 380.
Now for some unofficial speculation, I believe that the interior may be influenced by the Galant Grunder (sold in India), which is based on the US Galant, where the basis of the 380 comes from. Check it out on google, a very interesting look.