TOKYO—Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is studying whether to sell a small, gasoline-sipping car in the United States.

If projections are favorable, the car in the so-called B segment could be assembled at the company’s plant in Normal, Ill.

Mitsubishi believes that more Americans may shift to smaller cars because of rising gasoline prices. Osamu Masuko, president of Mitsubishi Motors, does not want to cede that growing market to the likes of Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Chevrolet.

“We have to consider the possibility of bringing a B car to the United States if we determine that the U.S. customers are going in that direction,” he told Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show last week.

He said a likely candidate could be the small Colt hatchback that is sold in Japan. But he said it might be too costly to modify the Japanese vehicle to meet U.S. regulations.

He said if the company determines that it could sell from 50,000 to 70,000 units here, he could make a business case to produce the vehicle at Normal.

Trevor Hofmann | Canadian Auto Press

According to top-ranking Mitsubishi officials, the prototype shown in Frankfurt is very true to the next Lancer Evolution, which bodes well for the automaker gaining ground as new models get released.

“The overall shape is close to the production model,” commented Akinori Nakanishi, chief designer for Mitsubishi Motors Corp. “We want a more mature looking, upscale and sophisticated model.”

It is believed that Mitsubishi will attempt to heighten the EVO’s appeal to a broader range of new car buyers when the new model comes along, it currently only sells 5,000 units in the U.S., and none in Canada being that bumper restrictions don’t allow its sale north of the 49th.

Currently, the manual-only performance car’s “boy-racer” styling is not popular among women, and Mitsubishi hopes its classier design and the addition of an automatic transmission will help lure more female performance buyers to the EVO camp.

The Evolution “is more boy-racer looking,” Nakanishi added. “We need a broader audience because of the price.”

Having enjoyed five years of success with the ANCRO administered National Gravel Championship, Mitsubishi decided to take the Evolution Challenge to the BRC in 2006, following the announcement that WRC cars would be no longer be allowed to participate and therefore hand the competitive advantage to Class N4 machines.

Series organisers are confident that the move to the British Championship will see registrations for the series increase and provide a host of benefits to competitors, such as: High quality stages, top level competition, increased media profile, more opportunities for sponsors, special deals for registered competitors and therefore represent excellent value for money.

The new-look six-round British Championship will feature three gravel and three asphalt rallies, therefore providing a balanced mixture of surfaces. It is hoped that the inclusion of the asphalt events will make the Evolution Challenge more appealing to Irish competitors.

Organisers are aware that some teams will be concerned that the move to the BRC will see the cost of competing escalate, but with the British Championship taking on a new format, the difference of competing in eight events in 2005 and six events in 2006 will be minimal. A spokesman for the Evolution Challenge said:

“With the series launched at BRC Live at the beginning of the season and the Rally GB at the end, plus the addition of television coverage, there will be many more advantages for sponsors. Therefore, we hope that teams will exploit these features and see the move to the BRC as a great opportunity. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year.

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Compact sedan’s turbocharged, intercooled engine now features advanced MIVEC technology, producing higher torque and better overall performance

Source: Mitsubishi Motors of North America

Bred from legendary racing DNA and a legacy of heart-pounding excitement on the FIA world rally circuit, the striking new 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX was introduced today at the New York International Automobile Show. Loaded with power and aerodynamic enhancements culled from Mitsubishi’s rally-racing success during the past 13 years, the Lancer Evolution IX further distinguishes the vehicle as the undisputable leader in the high-performance compact sedan market.

This latest edition to the Lancer Evolution model line, designed to compete against far more expensive sports cars, easily lives up to its Mitsubishi motorsports pedigree. By combining brute power and graceful agility, the Lancer Evolution IX is sure to raise the adrenaline of driving enthusiasts at every turn.

Charged with taking the Lancer Evolution driving experience to the next level, Mitsubishi engineers complemented the vehicle’s unmatched riding and handling characteristics - refined on the world’s most demanding test tracks - with even more power and torque for 2006.

“Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, nothing can touch the Lancer Evolution IX,” said Rich Gilligan, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America. “For people who want to truly stand out in a high-performance compact sedan, there’s no better value than this latest edition of the Lancer Evolution series.”

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that the Lancer Evolution IX high-performance 4WD sports sedan would go on sale at affiliated dealerships throughout Japan on March 3, 2005. With a 2.0-liter intercooler-turbocharged engine powering all four wheels through an electronically controlled 4WD system, Evolution IX raises all dynamic performance parameters to a new level. Tax inclusive prices range from 2,940,000 yen to 3,570,000 yen.

Evolution IX marks the 12th model in the series, which has also included an automatic transmission model, since the Lancer Evolution debuted in October 1992. Major features distinguishing the latest model include the adoption of Mitsubishi’s proprietary MIVEC variable valve timing technology in the intake system and improvements to the turbocharger that result in higher torque and produce better response for improved engine performance across its full rev range. New front and rear bumpers bring both high aerodynamics and cooling performance.

Ralliart of Japan announced its latest aftermarket part available for the EVO IX.  This front lip spoiler installs on the leading edge of the front bumper is made up of high quality carbon fiber, which was selected for its rigidity.  The installation of this piece results significantly improves the aerodynamic efficiency of the front section of the vehicle by diverting more air up over and around the car instead of allowing it to go under the car.

The spoiler has a gel coat finish that improves weather resistance and enhances the look of carbon fiber, giving the EVO a more aggressive look.  The lip spoiler comes with a Ralliart emblem fixed in the middle of the lip spoiler as seen in the picture.