This thread is to try and gather information about the upcoming 380VRX, expected to be released around March/April next year boasting atleast 190kw of engine output and (from what I have heard) curtain airbags across the range -whether or not they will be standard is another question-.

Along with this comes some needed styling changes to add agressiveness to the 380VRX's poise by adding a different body kit, hopefully 18" mags and a few other noted changes (possibly headlights, perhaps taillights).

I wanted to know as to whether anyone else has heard anything else about this model and if anything has been said about its release date. I am under the impression that it was going to be shown at the Sydney International Motor Show, perhaps without the more powerful engine though. If anyone has heard anything, or even has any pictures from someone can they please post as I havnt heard anything about it for a while and the SIMS isn't that long away.

Cheers :)

My understanding is that the updated VRX will be shown in "concept" form at the sydney show. It will carry a 190kw engine (increase due to free flowing exhaust and intake systems and ecu upgrade), uprated springs and shocks, and upgraded styling produced by a former HSV designer now working for MMAL. Being a former HSV designer expect a reasonably agressive bodykit and i would assume that 18's will be used for the wheels. Released 1st quarter next year

I can tell you there will be a possible Rallart 380 or upgraded VRX at the Sydney Motor Show this is info is from a Source from Ralliart Australia

I can tell you, that if they change their headlights, they might actually get some buyers...

Please don't turn this into another 380 bashing thread...

I can tell you there will be a possible Rallart 380 or upgraded VRX at the Sydney Motor Show this is info is from a Source from Ralliart Australia

yeah well i think it was fairly common knowledge that there would be some kind of sporty 380 shown at the sydney show but this is the first time i have heard about a possible ralliart version... if it is a ralliart version tho i hope it has alot more then 190kw.. its just not enough of an increase over base 380's and therefore it would hardly be a hot version of the 380, rather a luke warm version same as how the ralliart magna was just a luke warm version of the magna, and if they keep doing that they run the risk of dumming down the ralliart name

yeah well i think it was fairly common knowledge that there would be some kind of sporty 380 shown at the sydney show but this is the first time i have heard about a possible ralliart version... if it is a ralliart version tho i hope it has alot more then 190kw.. its just not enough of an increase over base 380's and therefore it would hardly be a hot version of the 380, rather a luke warm version same as how the ralliart magna was just a luke warm version of the magna, and if they keep doing that they run the risk of dumming down the ralliart name
I don't reckon they'll do that this time, just take a look at the ralliart models they've released now for a couple of the models (Eg. colt). Definitely wouldnt call them "luke warm" that's for sure. But then again MMC in japan could screw them over again. Or could even be the case of the 380 not selling well, so it won't get as much of a budget to work with? Who knows. But i do agree with you, the last thing they need is to have a weak ralliart image.

A nicer body, more powerfull engine and the 380 might have just been a hit!

As I've said before in another thread the new VRX / GT has a pretty
good looking kit going onto it but I can't say any more than that so
don't ask. 18 inch rims unfortunately are most likely not going to
happen as MMC aren't keen :nuts: ( the aussies are )
The Syd show car will be the first apperance I believe

It needs at least 18's in reality to differentiate from the previous models. 19's would be better.

It needs at least 18's in reality to differentiate from the previous models. 19's would be better.
And to keep up (that's not like mits at all :roll:).

As I've said before in another thread the new VRX / GT has a pretty
good looking kit going onto it but I can't say any more than that so
don't ask. 18 inch rims unfortunately are most likely not going to
happen as MMC aren't keen :nuts: ( the aussies are )
The Syd show car will be the first apperance I believe
WTF?

I'll ask anyway:) , how credible is this info? I have little doubt the concept shown at the Syd show will have bigger rims than 17's if it is to be in concept form. Otherwise why bother.

The current 17" setup has already pulled unanimous comments from motoring media on it "barely containing" the 175kW 3.8L engine's "torque to spare" etc. So if anything bigger wheels will not only give this 190+kW car a tad extra grip, it'll increase it's visual appeal given 380's oversized guards.

WTF?

I'll ask anyway:) , how credible is this info? I have little doubt the concept shown at the Syd show will have bigger rims than 17's if it is to be in concept form. Otherwise why bother.

The current 17" setup has already pulled unanimous comments from motoring media on it "barely containing" the 175kW 3.8L engine's "torque to spare" etc. So if anything bigger wheels will not only give this 190+kW car a tad extra grip, it'll increase it's visual appeal given 380's oversized guards.

I have no trouble believing it. MMAL have always been very keen to change their locally built car(s) to appeal to the Aussie market like Falcons and Commodores do, but MMC (parent company) has always rejected their thoughts.

I heard that in the lead up to the TL Magna, MMAL had a design ready which would've (coincidentally) looked along the same lines as the BA XR6 but MMC rejected this idea in favour of a 'global image' design that could be sold alongside the Lancer, Outlander and what not in all other markets.

It's not like MMAL designers are blind and don't do any market research, they are merely confined, which is a real shame :cry: .

I have no trouble believing it. MMAL have always been very keen to change their locally built car(s) to appeal to the Aussie market like Falcons and Commodores do, but MMC (parent company) has always rejected their thoughts.

I heard that in the lead up to the TL Magna, MMAL had a design ready which would've (coincidentally) looked along the same lines as the BA XR6 but MMC rejected this idea in favour of a 'global image' design that could be sold alongside the Lancer, Outlander and what not in all other markets.

It's not like MMAL designers are blind and don't do any market research, they are merely confined, which is a real shame :cry: .
Yeh someone posted it on the forums and i've been searching for it for ages. It looked awesome! MMC has always seemed to be the overly controlling parent to MMAL. Such a shame really.

MMC are ghey. The sooner MMAL suceed from them the better.

190kW isn't that much of an upgrade. Although I wounder what the torque difference will be. MMAL has always tuned their engines to be more midrange for real daily driving, making them nicer to drive. I would like MMAL to grow some balls though. Just go nuts on a concept car or something. Like the Holden Effigy. :)

They really need to get some attention at the next motorshow, they need to push forward some concepts, even if their wet dreams, do a dummy 380 with a turbo or a supercharger.

Hell even do a mock up of an awd 380 with a turbo - that would get some attention, or push the potential of the 4 cyl range by having a 380 with an Evo engine and call it the 200t (though I severely doubt the engine mounting would be compatible - thoughts?)

......boasting at least 190kw of engine output and......

Really? :silenced:

FF

Really?

FF

What you think 190kw isn't enough to boast about? Or because the concept on display might not have the engine upgrade and rather the styling (which might be the case with the updated engine not available to early next year with the new styling).

Really? :silenced:

FF
Give or take, YES.

MMC are ghey. The sooner MMAL suceed from them the better.


Anyone remember the Lonsdale? A GJ/GN magna made for sale in the UK

The Lonsdale was a car that was briefly sold in the United Kingdom between 1982 and 1984. It was simply a rebadged Mitsubishi Sigma imported from Australia, and took its name from the town near Adelaide where it was built.

The idea was to circumvent the "gentlemen's agreement" that saw Japan limit its imports into the UK to 11 per cent of the market.

Mitsubishi had already been selling the same model in the UK as the Galant for several years, and most of the cars imported by Lonsdale were unsold by the time the company ceased trading. It continued even more briefly as the Mitsubishi Sigma in the UK.

In its final year (1983 to 1984), the Lonsdale carried Mitsubishi Sigma badges, as it did in Australia.

Mitsubishi did, however, sell the Australian-built Sigma estate (station wagon) in the UK during the 1990s.

I suppose it was almost succeding :bowrofl:

Why dont mitsu just do it, stuff what the parent company thinks.
I wanna see all wheel drive turbo manual, and I reckon everyone else does too.

What you think 190kw isn't enough to boast about? Or because the concept on display might not have the engine upgrade and rather the styling (which might be the case with the updated engine not available to early next year with the new styling).

Nothing wrong with 190kW. I would be very, VERY surprised if MMAL did release a high power version of the current engine. I know that the MIVEC engine was canned when MMC canned the PS41L project.

FF

Nothing wrong with 190kW. I would be very, VERY surprised if MMAL did release a high power version of the current engine. I know that the MIVEC engine was canned when MMC canned the PS41L project.

FF
When it was realised that MMAL could not develop 2 seperate drivetrains under budget, they wacked the then "high power" 175kW/5sp auto combo accross the range - great for base variants, but not so for sports models. At this time the +/-190kW engine upgrade was confirmed after talks between MMAL and MMC Japan and it's engineers.

Originally destined for a late 2006 release, MMAL agreed with MMC that development was putting a large strain on it's engineers, who were already under pressure developing a string of new models (Lancer, Colt RalliArt, Outlander, Pajero). Therefore earlier this year MMAL's focus switched away from 380 as they began to push the case for their model "revolution".

Whilst this engine upgrade has been 100% confirmed by all parties, the official release day/month for the already dubbed "hot 380VRX" is still unknown, other than being in the first (possibly second) quarter of 07.

I too doubt it's a MIVEC setup, though you couldn't entirely rule this out. We should all know by now that not much work is needed (compared to MIVEC) to boost power to 190kW and beyond of the current 6G75 V6 - little more than a less restrictive exhaust outlet, from memory.

Mate it won't happen overnight, but it WILL happen!:P

Why dont mitsu just do it, stuff what the parent company thinks.
I wanna see all wheel drive turbo manual, and I reckon everyone else does too.
Yeah I hear you man, but unfortunately MMAL won't be able to say "let's do it and stuff what our bank balance reads...":doubt:

*Edit: yay 500th post!:dancin:

Maybe they should buy someone else's engine e.g. a 200KW 3.5 Nissan V6 out of the V35 Skyline/Infiiniti. Thats a benchmark V6 not some 190kw 3.6L Holden engine.

If they are going to do a decent VRX, they should do it properly. AWD with 200kw+! and play up the EVO connection.Don't just match Holden/Ford - blow them away with some real engineering!
But first and foremost before any attempt at the above they need to tackle the Mitsubishi depreciation issues so that buyers can be confident in buying a more expensive Mitsubishi - which it would inevitably be.

I seriously think that 190kW is too few ponies.. Fair enough its FWD and torque steer will play a major part in the detuning of the engine and the like, but still.. 200kW+ would be nice!

No 18/19" rims..?

Personally.. 18 or 19" rims would look killer on the 380.. the arch's are HUGE.. a nice set of rims and also brakes to fill in the gaping whole that they leave behind would look tops!

But.. I guess only time will tell..

SuFz :rant:

guys you gotta keep in step with reality. Yes a turbo AWD version would be awesome, but the development costs are huge and are frankly not viable when you consider that a performance version of the 380 would probably only add an estimated 100 cars per month (MMAL estimate). Spending tens of millions of dollars for only an extra 100 cars per month is just not the right thing to do, they are much MUCH better off spending that development money on a 4cyl CVT auto setup for 380. Yes a 4 cyl engine with a CVT auto doesn't send chills up my spine either, but it gets soccer mums all weak a the knees with todays fuel prices and is likely to add alot more then 100 cars per month to 380's sales, therefore much much smarter option for MMAL.

Building a hero car would be fantastic, but unfortunately due to MMAL and MMC's current financial position, they have to follow sound business logic and not just passion. Just ask lamborghini what happens when you follow only passion! For those who don't know they tanked big time and Audi had to come along and rescue then, now thanks to a big healthy dose of business logic provided by their uber-efficient german business suits they are thriving.

Yes a turbo AWD version would be awesome, but the development costs are huge and are frankly not viable when you consider that a performance version of the 380 would probably only add an estimated 100 cars per month (MMAL estimate)

I would suspect a much much worse figure than that as an estimate - remember just how long it took MMAL to clear out all of the Ralliart TJs from showrooms. There were also plans for a Ralliart TL/TW that were canned after the poor sales performance of the TJ Ralliart as well.

I really doubt MMAL could pull a rabbit out of the hat against the new Aurion with something of a similiar power output or toyota qualities, but I'm also doubting that Toyota would be able to pull a rabbit out of the hat with respects to it's TRD version vs an XR6t.

No one has yet posted a copy of the carsguide interview with Rob McInery from last month - it basically sounded as if MMAL was content going forward with skeleton production of the 380 whilst focusing it's efforts on the other, more profitable vehicle lines.

Just spotted on MMNA website

Galant with 3.8 V6 MIVEC (258 HP or 190kw).

They are also offering a RalliArt version. Can't give you any further details, because their website doesn't work properly.

Just spotted on MMNA website

Galant with 3.8 V6 MIVEC (258 HP or 190kw).

They are also offering a RalliArt version. Can't give you any further details, because their website doesn't work properly.

already knew about all that, but unfortunately the gallant is a pretty fundamentally different car from the 380, even tho it looks largely the same, so nothing can really be read into that

I can't see where the big development cost would be with the 3.8 MIVEC as it's already in the production Galant. Since the 3.8's are imported anyhow:doubt: it would just mean importing the engine from the States if it isn't manufactured over in Japan. It may need a tune, but I wouldn't have thought so as many parts of the states have similar climates as Australia. The added weight would be pretty insignificant, so I wouldn't have thought the suspension setup would have to be revised. As far as I know the engine is located in the same position in the 380 and Galant as well so there shouldn't be packaging issues.

Although I do agree with RJL25, a four pot and CVT for those frugal people wimpering about fuel prices, would probably have the best profit to cost ratio. Although it would be nice to see a hero car, I don't see that happening for a few years.