Mitsubishi to build the Sportback Concept
June 26, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
When we first saw this car a few years ago, we all hoped Mitsubishi would put the concept into production, and as of today Mitsubishi have confirmed the Sportback concept will join its lineup from 2008.
For those who have never seen the sportback concept before, yes it does look remarkably similar to the new Mitsubishi Lancer and the Evo X. It is more probable that Mitsubishi built the sportsback concept prior to the new Lancer and given the overwhelming positive reception, used the design cues for the new Lancer
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As far as Europe is concerned, Mitsubishi will be offering a whole range of engines, starting from a 1.5-litre petrol all the way to the 2.0-litre turbo in the Galant Fortis and Evo X.
The engines will come with an option of five-speed, six-speed manual and CVT transmission. The Evo X is set to come with an optional DSG style gearbox, which will put it one level above its main rival, the new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
Source: MotorAuthority
Print it: 
It looks way better than the Alfa 147 or even Brera. Probably be half the price and won’t break down and leave you stranded like most Alfas.
I’m also betting that it will outperform the high priced Italian marque and cost considerably less to own.
You’re right, I’m not an Alfa fan these days. They used to go hard and handle even better. These days even the Korean cars could outperform them.
Shame, because they still know how to design metal
Now thats sexy, it certainly makes the current 380 look like a toilet! Holden should take note, this is how to make wheel arches look proud with-out going over the top.
^ Lol yeah… even the ‘Orion’ did the wheel arches normally, Holden went over the top.
That is a very nice car… makes you wander if they can create something like this (along with the new Lancer) why the hell is the 380 so averge looking! If it looked like these, at their price… Id friggin buy one! (Even with its relative lack of engine performance)
She is one beautiful car, welcome back Mitsubishi!!
That would have to be the best looking hatchback I have ever seen, I hope they don’t dumb it down. Matching it to a 2.0 Litre turbo, 0-100km 7secs. This thing sounds awesome.
Typical tin-can from the Japs. Thin body panels, 4 (four)only cylinders, disposable throwaway build ‘quality’, plastic everywhere, carcenagenic ‘new car’ smell, gimmicky ‘creature comforts’ and pseudo-technological elkectronic s#it.
Look, if it’s performance and power to weight that you’re after, why not just buy a sports bike. These Jap-Crap girls cars are starting to wear just a little thin.
“if it’s performance and power to weight that you’re after, why not just buy a sports bike”
True, I don’t think anyone would argue with the rocket fast acceleration of even an average sports bike. But this website is CARADVICE.COM.AU :)
correct LayzBones, we are working on BikeAdvice too ;)
BikeAdvice!!, your going for the world domination thing!! How about anythingwithanengineadvice.com.au?
working on it :)
Are you going to be recruiting people to review and write for Bikeadvice too?
I’ll email you later with some background and history. ;)
Regarding the Mitsubish. I refuse to believe any Mitsu is a good car. Not personally experienced in owning one. But I’ve just seen too many mates and neighbours get bitten.
Mate’s Lancer (there are all brand new btw), started to cause his issues after the first service. Charging issues, then the radio, then the power steering. Electrical faults became so back that the car was dangerous to drive.
Neighbours had a Pajero (they got back from their camping trip in a bus, and the tow truck behind with the car stuck in 4wd. They fixed it, for a large sum of money (transfer case rebuilt – 2 months out of warranty). Then the welsh plug started to leak. Which one? the one at the back of the engine against the firewall. :(
It leaked every fluid that it attempted to hold.
I’ll go on with similar stories, but I won’t in aid of sounding like a broken record player.
I won’t take my chances on one. I’d rather buy a Corolla. Yes, that’s what I think of Mitsubishi.
Steve
Pfft… Obviously bad karma, seeing how you never say a good work about ol’ Mr. Bishi.
Nah, I’m kidding, but that is immensely odd, because my parents car, an ‘01 Verada, had never had a single issue, apart from a dead battery which doesn’t count but lasted 4.5 years from the factory, and just a minor issue with the aircon fan 4 months ago which was 300 but the dealer did it for free, as well as our rotors, really odd. But yeah, I’m going to put it down on bad karma for your bad experiences with Mr.Bishi…LOL
Loving this car by the way.
^
Lol Ive heard stories about Magnas! But I think you cant totally write of a brand, even brands dare I say it like Holden who have had major issues in the past… times change! And Mitsubishi are offering class leading warranties these days so any fears are put to rest.
Lol, don’t even talk about Holdens. We had the tanny go twice, a cracked head, electric windows, keys, dodgy alarms, glove box hinges, seats, aerial motors, boot struts, boot locks, alarm systems, and even more issues occur with my parents VS a good decade ago. We only had it for 5 years too! Terrible car, if I were older back then I would have remembered even more. Oh yes, the climate control, fan belt, even more, LOL it was the more expensive Berlina as memory serves, the car cost almost 10k in repairs when we sold it, none of which the warranty covered for some stupid reason. There were also issues witht he cruise control, fuses and battery connections, interior lights, diagnostic malfunctions (all those lights on the dashboard), and I am still positive there were more issues. Now that, that single experience can top any negative feeling or experience in a Magna, a Mitsubishi, even in say, a Hyundai, or dare I say Daewoo! LOL
tranny not tanny
Have a ‘83 Sigma (400,000+ kms) and ‘98 Magna. The Sigma finally had a rebuild a year ago but it was only to freshen the driving experience. Neither car has ever broken down and have only needed the expected repairs and maintenance over the years. In my experience, it’s mostly about regular maintenance and a bit of luck.
About Japanese cars…
According to a recent RAA article on a major study on build quality after 4 years Toyota/Lexus are rated as the leaders with Honda also near the top. Suprisingly one of the worst are Mercedes.
It wasn’t my personal experience, just things I noticed and was told about by mates who experienced this.
I do take part in a fair bit of Mutsu bashing. The problem is, once a brand gets this sort of stigma (Not Sigma – I joke)… it’s hard to bounce back, regardless of how good your next offering is.
I too wouldn’t buy a Holden. Same reasons as above.
I guess a lot of manufacturers will have some failures, lemons, etc. But when you look at one brand and know so many people with issues after owning the cars. You tend to make a mental note and the decision not to lay down your hard earnt dosh for an inferior quality product.
Steve
I think Steve’s stories are all imaginary stories to bash Mitsubishis, We have owned 4 Mitsubishi’s. the first was a 96 TE Magna had it for 9 year with 260,000 ks only logbook services & a battery replacement, then a 02 Verada for 5 years with 75,000 ks just log book services & 1 keyless entry remote unit, then an 05 Outlander for 2 years with 25,000 ks just logbook services, a two month old Pajero with 1500 ks without any problem.
My dad had a 86 Lancer for 14 years with 300,000 ks without any problems. I think Steve is just bad mouthing Mitsubishi with imaginary stories.
Lets ask what is Steve driving? Is it a very reliable, economical, safe & green car like a Toyota Prius? I think Steve drives an ancient unreliable Gas guzzler, producing heaps of green house gases.
I recently saw results of an ACNielsen new car reliability & satisfaction survey of new car buyers. Every Mitsubishi model was above the average reliability level, some models like Outlander & Colt were the most reliable in those segments. These results are similar with reliability surveys carried out in US by JD Powers.
I think this Steve fellow is over the top Mitsubishi hater. In US & Europe there have been extensive car reliability survey carried out. Most of these surveys indicate Toyota to be the Most reliable then followed by other Japanese manufactures including Mitsubishi, then the Korean manufactures, the German manufactures etc
At the bottom of these survey results are the US car giants like GM, Ford, Chrysler, UK brands like Jaguar, Land rover etc.
From all these surveys there isn’t any evidence to show that Mitsubishi models seem to have any reliability issues.
Mitsubishis may have had problems in the 70s & 80s, lot of it is attributed to Chrysler components used on earlier Mitsubishis
LOL, nah let’s not bash Steve, he generally makes decent posts, but I and most of you don’t agree with his posts. I agree that he may have came across a dodgy Mitsubishi, but to come across so many is such a coincidence as their reliability overall is as good as Toyota and Lexus. Dam, when they get back into the black for a few years, they should start another brand, a luxury one. We all know they cannot go bankrupt with over 100 different ally companies, including the main bank of Japan, but it is only some time until they get their design right, and they start making huge profits, and with great cars like this being released why shouldn’t they? By the way, you should here about the 380 replacement expected in the next 24-30 months. Most likely have the same name, but will be either the DD or DE 380, the current is DB 380 of course. I’m not going to say anymore from the info I have received but a fair bit will come out within the next 18 months anyway,a nd it is not dissapointing.
Steve is just telling us his experiences… everyone has different experiences with cars and its useful to hear. He may have been unlucky with Mitbuishis or those who have had good experiences might have been lucky to have no problems.
Paul pretty much summed up what I was trying to say, but I clearly drifted off somewhere in my comment. Basically though, it is odd to find any problems at all with a Mitsubishi, as their build quality is on par witht hat of Toyota overall.
This Steve character sounds lot like a guy I knew at work. He had couple of bikes a 20 year old Jag. He used bag Mitsubishi, quite a lot of his stories were imaginary, like nearly every morning he has a story of passing a broken down Mitsu (if you count all these stories nearly every Mitsu sold in Aus breaks down & Steve know about it).
Co incidentally that guy’s name is also Steve.
Damo Mitsubishi is in the black now, I think they made a profit last financial year(I think the Japanese financial year ending in March). What 380 update are you referring to is it the update to be released next month?
No, I was speaking of a completely new model which would eb dew in late 2008-2009 from what I have been told. But from what I now know, the update next month, has slightly updated grille/headlights/ and taillights, and rear bumper. New paint colours (obviously), an updated and classier interior, it is not supposed to be getting ESP from what I have been told, but curtain airbags are likely to become standard, so it will receive a five star safety rating regardless. Let’s just see how accurate my sources are, hey?
Damo I think we will be getting the next generation 380 in 2010. The US will get it sometime in 2008 as a 2009 Model.
Will the 380 get the 3.8 Mivec engine in the next month update? It’s bit of a shame if they won’t put ESP in the next update.