Im at work so here are the details stated in brief from the latest Wheels Mag:

The numbers are still being crunched by the bean counters but as going to press Wheels advise:
- Due in March
- First batch will be a run of 50 cars
- Two versions: 30 will be dresser only, employing seats, bodykit and 19 inchers priced mid to high $40k.

- 20 will be the hi-po versions which will include the Sprintex Supercharger, Konis and Ralliart breaks. Pricing between $50,000 to $55,000.:doubt:

- Issues to date is the amount of external and in-cabin noise generated by the Sprintex S3/335 twin screw blower, and getting the cars from Tonsely to Perth.

Also in the mag is a comparo between XR6, SV6, ZR6 and VRX. XR6 and SV6 win with 4/5, Aurion 3.5/5 and VRX with 3/5

Thanks for that.

I'm glad to see it seems they are staying with the 19" wheels.

The hi-po version isn't too bad if they'd price it at $49,990 with all those extras it has.

if there only doing 20 then they will be able to ask $55,000 or there abouts... it wont be hard to find 20 ppl with way to much money to spend one of these...

if there only doing 20 then they will be able to ask $55,000 or there abouts... it wont be hard to find 20 ppl with way to much money to spend one of these...
Yeah I think there will probably be about 20 MMAL execs who would love to use their MMAL car budget on one.

The dress version doesn't sound too bad. Is it just missing the supercharger, ralliart brakes and suspension? (Perhaps exhaust too).
Is output the same?
Cos otherwise it may be virtually the same inside and outside (seats, instruments, body moldings, etc) and with the big rims.
I'd be happy to settle for the "claytons" dress version. I'll just prepare one of my rubber cheques!

When I asked is output the same, I didn't mean the same as with the supercharged version as obviously it is not. I meant is it the same as the current models now, ie 175kW.
Useless question actually.

When I asked is output the same, I didn't mean the same as with the supercharged version as obviously it is not. I meant is it the same as the current models now, ie 175kW.
Useless question actually.

dont quote me on it. but i heard that in the middle of '07 - late '07 the 380 is going to get a few upgrades to its model range. i heard that standard engine output may be upgraded to 180kW, if that is correct, and the dressier version doesn't get the MIVEC 3.8, then it may have 180kW (or would have atleast 180kW) and just get it before they change all of the engines.

Also in the mag is a comparo between XR6, SV6, ZR6 and VRX. XR6 and SV6 win with 4/5, Aurion 3.5/5 and VRX with 3/5

There's a surprise. WHEELS mag giving prizes to Ford and Holden...:rant:

There's a surprise. WHEELS mag giving prizes to Ford and Holden...:rant:

...Maybe it's because they're actually more convincing as sporting sedans....

There's a surprise. WHEELS mag giving prizes to Ford and Holden...:rant:

yea i'm gonna have to agree with them there, the xr's and sv's look a damn sight meaner then a plan 380 vr-x, they should try this again when the 380 tmr dress version comes out then i believe it will be in the league of the xr and sv

$55K would be too much IMH. They'll shift 20 for sure, but if they plan to produce more they'll have to do something with the price. I mean a new 380 retails for $27K and they are trying to sell the Ralliart 380 for almost 30K more!? Doesn't make sense. Considering the Sprintex supercharger is $7K fitted, you are not getting $30k's worth of upgrades end of story, doesn't matter which way you look at it. It's got cars like the XR6T as competition, which is not only faster, but $10K cheaper and it's not fwd, the Liberty $5K cheaper and AWD, SS faster and 10K cheaper, the list goes on... I'm not a falcodore fan, just mystified as to why MMAL would price the TMR 380 so high.

Who said that the XR6T is faster then the upcoming TMR 380?

Who said that the XR6T is faster then the upcoming TMR 380?
True, as things stand though, on paper, you'd expect the XRXT to be just that little bit quicker. We'll all find out in due course I guess.

Either way there's no real reason for the TMR 380 to have a RRP over and above the XR6T, otherwise what's the point?

Of course I'd buy one at $60k, but that's me and my blind love for Mitsu! :D ... :doubt:

I have $5, Some belly button lint and half of a set of tweezers, all worth about as much as a supercharged FWD. AWD mistu AWD!

I have $5, Some belly button lint and half of a set of tweezers, all worth about as much as a supercharged FWD. AWD mistu AWD!

a bit late now!
Maybe, maybe, maybe, if Mistusibhi Australia's next vehicle is on the GS Lancer/Outlander (but stretched, as people have suggested) platform they could offer an electronically controlled 4WD. But...on the 380, unforunately... no.

I just hope that Mitsu include a decent TCL system and hopefully ASC.

I don't think mitsu will make more than the allocated 50. $55k simply prices it out of the market.

I don't think mitsu will make more than the allocated 50. $55k simply prices it out of the market.

Well wait and see. 50 is not very many to sell, and if marketed correctly the TMR380 could help sell the rest of the 380 range.

If they make them in batches of 50 and the first batch sells well (considering not all 50 are likely to be the high performance, with the 30/20 split, as per original thread), they will simply make another batch.

This way they won't have them sitting in dealerships for months on end

Who said that the XR6T is faster then the upcoming TMR 380?

I've read a number of times in various magazines/internet articles that 0 - 100 time will be around 6.0. Sure this is not confirmed and it may be faster, but not by much. I think at best it will equal the XR6T's performance, but will cost 10K more. So why would someone buy a 380 over an XR6T if there is a $10K discrepancy? Especially with the latter having RWD. We can debate the pros and cons of fwd/rwd/awd till we're blue in the face, but at the end of the day pretty much every serious* performance car is produced with rwd or awd. Maybe MMAL engineers know something Porsche and Ferrai don't...






* serious - meaning cars $45K and up, not all the hot hatches, gti's xr5's etc.

I think at best it will equal the XR6T's performance, but will cost 10K more.


Exactly. Personally, I'd buy myself another WRX over an xr6t and tmr 380.

personally i'd buy one of these over a wrx ss xr etc...

why, because it will be unique, it's performance will be comprimised to meet adr's fuel economy and emissions....

there is room for more Kw's but i think it will be a great drivers car....

enough with the FWD vs RWD/AWD debate... im over it, if the mods dont step in on it i will personally do something about it :rant:

the tmr is about image and might get some more ppl interested in the 380 and sales could filter down....

why no awd?? who cares the 380 is FWD get over it Mistu have the EVO if your desperate for awd...


pricing?? i dont think it will be that bad... and with some of the additions its worth the extra $$ over the xr,

rember the ralliart magna, man who'd buy one of those when you coud have a normal magna for half the money... ppl brought them!!

if the TMR is as good as i think it will be, ppl will be in for a big supprise, it will do well in performance tests but the 0-100 numbers wont do it justice, it will have mindblowing real world performance...

i would buy one but i have just sunk 20k into my awd.... if i got a decent price for it id be rolling in one of these for sure

personally i'd buy one of these over a wrx ss xr etc...

why, because it will be unique, it's performance will be comprimised to meet adr's fuel economy and emissions....

there is room for more Kw's but i think it will be a great drivers car....

enough with the FWD vs RWD/AWD debate... im over it, if the mods dont step in on it i will personally do something about it :rant:

the tmr is about image and might get some more ppl interested in the 380 and sales could filter down....

why no awd?? who cares the 380 is FWD get over it Mistu have the EVO if your desperate for awd...


pricing?? i dont think it will be that bad... and with some of the additions its worth the extra $$ over the xr,

rember the ralliart magna, man who'd buy one of those when you coud have a normal magna for half the money... ppl brought them!!

if the TMR is as good as i think it will be, ppl will be in for a big supprise, it will do well in performance tests but the 0-100 numbers wont do it justice, it will have mindblowing real world performance...

i would buy one but i have just sunk 20k into my awd.... if i got a decent price for it id be rolling in one of these for sure

Andrew your post is embarrsingly subjective & biased. I'm a Mitsu fan & I read yr post and cringed. "why no awd?? who cares the 380 is FWD" - are you seriously a car fan?

Andrew your post is embarrsingly subjective & biased. I'm a Mitsu fan & I read yr post and cringed. "why no awd?? who cares the 380 is FWD" - are you seriously a car fan? What an ignorant comment. Mate edit your post, because I'm sure you're smarter than that.


biased yes, why?

cos its a mitsubishi forum and i happen to quite like the 380

am i a car fan?

no i hate cars..

in reality, mitsubishi dont have $2 to buy a can of coke i think its a bit late for an awd 380, if the 380 was awd would it sell more? i dont think so, they have been there and done that with the magna and it's not worth it for them, if it were awd it would be great yeah...

this car is going to be a direct rival for the turd toyota if it ever happens (which will be fwd)

and by the looks of it the pricing point will be inline with what toyota will offer, but the mitsubishi will have the goods to out perform the yota.... reading the latest mag where the vrx zr6 xr6 sv6 are tested in, they reall didnt have that much bad to say about the vrx in terms of performance and handeling (except fot the steering rack) although they did mention that it was much better than the toyota!

looking more closley at that article they mention about the 380 being plain.... it it was lairy organge not boring silver i think it would have StooD OuT more.

now on price, the falc was at 46k the sv6 42k the zr6 48k!!as tested.... now a tmr dress kit only seems good value in compariosn, and for 55k not to bad value

and considering the mitsu is well loaded without having to option up (ford & holden using optional transmissons)

the performance was slack as though, they need to stuff a couple of more kw in there... and looking at the excellent economy that it returned im sure they can afford to sacrifice 0.5l/100 for a handful of kw's

\

enough with the FWD vs RWD/AWD debate... im over it, if the mods dont step in on it i will personally do something about it :rant:

what are you going to do? Let free the keyboard warrior buried within you?

rex_man, your last post was unnecessary and misquoted andrewd... one would have thought what he was saying would be obvious to most. You should have been smarter than that.

I agree, it's a joke the amount of people still going on about FWD vs RWD/AWD etc. Back in the early years of the 3rd gen magna, sales were booming - literally, averageing over 3,000 sales per month from '97 - '99. The thing was FWD then, and the dynamic gap between big FWD cars and RWD cars has narrowed substantially since.

Given MMAL's investment in the TJ/TL AWD program didn't pay off for them, it makes little sense in wasting even more of a resource so precious to them - money. MMAL would want to spend what they can on improving the 380 in the main area that helped the 3rd gen magna be so successful - style. Even the awesome looking VRX/GT look bland against their competitors.

Well wait and see. 50 is not very many to sell, and if marketed correctly the TMR380 could help sell the rest of the 380 range.

If they make them in batches of 50 and the first batch sells well (considering not all 50 are likely to be the high performance, with the 30/20 split, as per original thread), they will simply make another batch.

This way they won't have them sitting in dealerships for months on end
Exactly. Mitsubishi are covering their own a$$, as i believe they lost money on the ralliart magnas because they couldn't sell them.

rex_man, your last post was unnecessary and misquoted andrewd... one would have thought what he was saying would be obvious to most. You should have been smarter than that.

I agree, it's a joke the amount of people still going on about FWD vs RWD/AWD etc. Back in the early years of the 3rd gen magna, sales were booming - literally, averageing over 3,000 sales per month from '97 - '99. The thing was FWD then, and the dynamic gap between big FWD cars and RWD cars has narrowed substantially since.

Given MMAL's investment in the TJ/TL AWD program didn't pay off for them, it makes little sense in wasting even more of a resource so precious to them - money. MMAL would want to spend what they can on improving the 380 in the main area that helped the 3rd gen magna be so successful - style. Even the awesome looking VRX/GT look bland against their competitors.

Cool I apologise. Didn't know the history with the AWD not paying off. What was the story behind that - were the AWD's just too expensive? And why did the AWD never go on the Ralliart Magna?

what are you going to do? Let free the keyboard warrior buried within you?


no, i will find their phone numbers and give them to indian people to call.... and they will wish that they never even knew where the drive was coming from :bowrofl: j/k btw.... but is it me or have the mods been a bit slacker than usual around this place?

Cool I apologise. Didn't know the history with the AWD not paying off. What was the story behind that - were the AWD's just too expensive? And why did the AWD never go on the Ralliart Magna?
As good as the AWD drivetrain was, MMAL simply turned it into a marketing disaster, mainly because development was delayed by several months, and by the time it was ready for production they simply hadn't begun a decent campaign other than a gimicky brochure with velcro. :doubt:

Not to say that it was specifically a disaster in terms of sales, it did sell, pricing was fine, but at the end of the day it didn't sell enough and they still lost money on the venture. Another reason is because it was deemed to look too similar to FWD Magnas.

The RalliArt Magna was developed seperately by RalliArt themselves before the AWD system was even close to being finalised, hence it was deemed by both parties to be too costly to do so. That and the RalliArt Magna had tanked well before the AWD Magna was eventually released. Would have been nice though...:doubt:

So it was mitsu's own fault that both AWD and the ralliart some what failed?

We can do the FWD/AWD/RWD all we want but you guys are going to keep loosing, the magna is an okay car, but it's nothing fantastic, and defiantly not a performance/State of the art car that so many on here hope it would be.

I am not saying that the falcon/commodore is a brilliant car, but it's a cut above the magna.

I am not saying that the falcon/commodore is a brilliant car, but it's a cut above the magna.

Your kidding right?

I am not saying that the falcon/commodore is a brilliant car, but it's a cut above the magna.


I'm sorry to say it, and it's probably only me, but the new commodores look like Holden wasted $1 mil sitting on their hands waiting for MMAL to release the 380 and then bred it with a Volvo to get the front end :rant: . Next time you see one in profile you'll see what i mean. As for all the other falcodores.... well lets just say that even being Australian, I don't ever plan on buying an Australian built car :doubt: :cry: .

Come on guys, there is a reason that the commodore is out selling the magna/380 on every front, and it's because of the image of the car.

Before the release of the VE there was tonnes of advertising, and I have seen about 3 ad's for the 380, EVER.

With an advertising run like that you can't really expect the car to fly out of the show room.

And seriously, 380? What type of name is that!

Now I know a lot of you may disagree, but we have to face the facts, and so does MMAL.

Come on guys, there is a reason that the commodore is out selling the magna/380 on every front, and it's because of the image of the car.

Before the release of the VE there was tonnes of advertising, and I have seen about 3 ad's for the 380, EVER.

With an advertising run like that you can't really expect the car to fly out of the show room.

And seriously, 380? What type of name is that!

Now I know a lot of you may disagree, but we have to face the facts, and so does MMAL.
So the Commodore is a "cut above" the magna because of its image and advertising? :nuts:

No one is going to argue that the Commodore is better marketed, and has a better image. But that has NOTHING to do with what is actually the better car technically.

And I'm not commented on that because I don't know enough about all the new models. But I am patiently waiting for you to tell us exactly why Falcodors are a better car than the Magna/380...

lets not for get this is the thread for the tmr 380...

and in regards to falc/commo vs magna.... how about we keep the comparisons to models of the same year... you cant compare a TJ to a VE... thats just stupid

Guys I'd ignore anything Mrmacomouto posts on here. There's never been any substance behind his ramblings, and he consistently proves himself to the wider AMC community to be nothing more than a vindictive, pathetic little sycophant. Just ignore him.

Back on topic, I think the updated 380 VRX this year should closely resemble the TMR 380 dress version. Differences being the n/a TMR 380 adds big rear wing, different/bigger wheels and recaro seats etc.

As good as it looks (to me personally anyway), current VRX is still a little bland compared to the XR6 and SV6.

So the Commodore is a "cut above" the magna because of its image and advertising? :nuts:

No one is going to argue that the Commodore is better marketed, and has a better image. But that has NOTHING to do with what is actually the better car technically.

And I'm not commented on that because I don't know enough about all the new models. But I am patiently waiting for you to tell us exactly why Falcodors are a better car than the Magna/380...
It's not just that the VE is better marketed and has a better image, but it's just generally a better car. Just read the comparisons and reviews. I've driven the BF, VE, 380 and Aurion and I'm afraid to say that the 380 is lacking. Hopefuly the facelift due mid-year will help fix that problem.

It's not just that the VE is better marketed and has a better image, but it's just generally a better car. Just read the comparisons and reviews. I've driven the BF, VE, 380 and Aurion and I'm afraid to say that the 380 is lacking. Hopefuly the facelift due mid-year will help fix that problem.
And fair enough, I dont doubt it. As I said, I have driven none of them so I cant comment. I just thought it was ridiculous to determine how good a car is by its marketing and image...but VeradaBoy is right, its best to ignore his comments from now.

Wow, everytime, no matter what, people turn a 380 thread into a drivetrain argument:doubt:.

Be nice if instead of a dresser version they were both identical, but had a N/A and supercharged version. Be really interesting to see how the hi-po version is rated in the media, methinks that if they tune the suspension to the sporty side of things it'll be very, very well rated; as we all know that traditionally Aussie cars haven't been excellent handlers out-of-the-box.

Alternatively, it'd be cool if the upgraded VRX model had the Koni's and Brakes and a more powerful motor. Then sold at least 2500 units in 12 months. Then it could compete in the aussie production touring car championship :badgrin:. A homoligation special almost. Be a good way to get advertisement to the racing community.

It's not just that the VE is better marketed and has a better image, but it's just generally a better car. I've driven the BF, VE, 380 and Aurion and I'm afraid to say that the 380 is lacking.

Lets see the VE with a 27k price tag and see just how great it is then.:doubt:

Honestly but, the 380 is far better value than any of the other cars mentioned.

Also, correct me if im wrong here, but isnt the 380 meant to fill a gap in the medium sized car market, and not the large car? So any comparison to the VE and BF is null and void anyway? May as well compare it to an Astra, or a 911 Turbo.

Who said that the XR6T is faster then the upcoming TMR 380?

If a stock XR6T isn't faster, then a few mods will certainly fix that and still cost substantially less than $50-55k. To be fair, the XR6T doesn't have the brakes or suspension of the TMR 380, or even 19" wheels and some fancy Ralliart seats, but it does have the 6-speed auto.
Even if it was priced the same as an XR6T, it'd still be tough for MMAL, what with all the RWD lovers in this country, so they might as well make a bit of money with it.

Lets see the VE with a 27k price tag and see just how great it is then.

Honestly but, the 380 is far better value than any of the other cars mentioned.

Also, correct me if im wrong here, but isnt the 380 meant to fill a gap in the medium sized car market, and not the large car? So any comparison to the VE and BF is null and void anyway? May as well compare it to an Astra, or a 911 Turbo.


Geeez, if the VE Omega has things cut out of it at its current price (discusting automatic, no standard A/C, no full size spare, lacking warranty, etc.) then I'd love to see what'd be missing and what'd have if it was $27k.

VE Omega 3 sp Auto, no radio/aircon, 1.8l DOHC engine, 15" steelies, RRP $28990 .... hahahaha the 380ES is still $1k cheaper and has more kit and a better warranty.


And yes, the 380 is meant to fill the gap in the medium sized car market. BUT, I think its the gap between the medium and large car market if you know what I mean. The LWB vehicle (what was it codnamed again? It slipped my mind :redface:) they were going to produce alongside the 380 would be more aimed at the larger car market as well as Statesman/Caprice/Fairlane (is the Fairlane even counted :D).

if marketed correctly the TMR380 could help sell the rest of the 380 range.


exactly, how many cheap 1.5L fwd lancer with cheap suspension and brakes do we see on the road and you can thank the evo for that.

I also like to laugh at the comparisons between 1/4 mile speed and price, i can basically garuntee that this tmr 380 from 80-150km/hr will be a fair bit faster than an xr6T. Also what about the bmw 3 series they run 16's and are still well into the 40k$ bracket.
My point being this car will have suspension, brake, sound, interior options well above the base xr6T and ss.

Also i disagree with the cars getting bigger and getting given more hp to offset this.

Comparisons to an SS and XR6T/XR8 are a moot point - they are high volume profit sellers for Ford and Holden - and the bread and butter of the performance car enthusiasts in Australia.

No matter how much you guys wish it were so, there is no way that MMAL will be able to build a popular volume selling car for this market with the current product setup and poor resale.

In fact, I doubt even a AWD drivetrain can put the car in the performance spotlight - when you consider that the AWD TJ-TW models didnt really appeal or cause a ripple in the Australian domestic market.

Comparisons to an SS and XR6T/XR8 are a moot point - they are high volume profit sellers for Ford and Holden - and the bread and butter of the performance car enthusiasts in Australia.

No matter how much you guys wish it were so, there is no way that MMAL will be able to build a popular volume selling car for this market with the current product setup and poor resale.

In fact, I doubt even a AWD drivetrain can put the car in the performance spotlight - when you consider that the AWD TJ-TW models didnt really appeal or cause a ripple in the Australian domestic market.

I have to agree. I'd love to see and drive this vehicle and think it'll be great, but...

MMAL's track history is very poor in this area. At best this will be a very limited build niche car, that will still fail to raise the profile of the 380 in any major way. Despite it's evident performance potential, unfortunately it will have no credibility with 99% of the XR6T, XR8 and SS buying public out there.

So where does this car score a decent market segment? The WRX, R33/R34, EVO, 3 MPS crowd will also be disinterested. The Mazda 6 MPS and Liberty GT buyer like the sophisticated sleeper look (ie. not boy racer) plus the AWD. The only other logical competitor will be the Aurien s/c. Toyota will have far more marketing muscle behind this, and even then I'm not convinced it's going to sell gang-busters either.

Further, the projected prices for the 380 TMR s/c I've seen (ie. dearer than XR6T) make me think that MMAL has learned nothing from the TJ Ralliart pricing dramas ($50K on road when first released in 2002 - no wonder hardly anyone was prepared to stump up the dollars, despite the car being very good!)

If all MMAL wants to do is sell 20 full equipped s/c vehicles per year (as quoted in the latest Wheels), then I'm sure they'll achieve it, but 20 units per year will hardly cause even the smallest of ripples in the market, leave alone reinvigorate 380 sales in general.

personally i'd buy one of these over a wrx ss xr etc...

why, because it will be unique, it's performance will be comprimised to meet adr's fuel economy and emissions....

there is room for more Kw's but i think it will be a great drivers car....

enough with the FWD vs RWD/AWD debate... im over it, if the mods dont step in on it i will personally do something about it :rant:

the tmr is about image and might get some more ppl interested in the 380 and sales could filter down....

why no awd?? who cares the 380 is FWD get over it Mistu have the EVO if your desperate for awd...


pricing?? i dont think it will be that bad... and with some of the additions its worth the extra $$ over the xr,

rember the ralliart magna, man who'd buy one of those when you coud have a normal magna for half the money... ppl brought them!!

if the TMR is as good as i think it will be, ppl will be in for a big supprise, it will do well in performance tests but the 0-100 numbers wont do it justice, it will have mindblowing real world performance...

i would buy one but i have just sunk 20k into my awd.... if i got a decent price for it id be rolling in one of these for sure
:stoopid:

after seeing the car in the flesh it is the bomb!! would love to own one but i too have thrown $$$ hand over fist at my car in turn giving it similar if not better performance than the 380

ppl will by them, ppl bought Leyland's, Skoda's and Lada's even though everyone knew they were **** (and they were), at least this car truely is an awesome car

Just fckin give me one, couldnt be bothered reading the pro's n con's.... I Like the look of if, I want one, if Emerald ever gets the chance to have one, it'll be mine :D

I think some of you guys are being a little pessimistic and writing the TMR 380 off before driving the final production model, let alone seeing it in the flesh. Yes if we look at the past MMAL seem destined to stuff this up, but there's no reason to simply assume it will happen again and write the TMR off.

After all it's only going to be a niche seller, likely to be in production groups of 50 (if priced properly I think the first batch will sell in no time); and like adz89 rightly pointed out, if MMAL can get their marketing right ... erm ... OK it won't work.:doubt:

exactly, how many cheap 1.5L fwd lancer with cheap suspension and brakes do we see on the road and you can thank the evo for that.

I also like to laugh at the comparisons between 1/4 mile speed and price, i can basically garuntee that this tmr 380 from 80-150km/hr will be a fair bit faster than an xr6T. Also what about the bmw 3 series they run 16's and are still well into the 40k$ bracket.
My point being this car will have suspension, brake, sound, interior options well above the base xr6T and ss.

Also i disagree with the cars getting bigger and getting given more hp to offset this.

It may be faster than an XRT but it's price looks as though it will be 10K more. Thats like saying a WRX is faster than a Corolla Sportivo (10K difference). Also with a BMW you are getting something more than just performance, you are getting a quality car with the latest engineering. Holden spent 1 billion developing their new Commodore, BMW spent over 1 billion developing their suspension for the Z4...