http://autospeed.com/cms/A_109108/article.html

There it is. As much as it pains some to hear it, he raises some good points. The 380 at least had promise when it first came out, now it doesn't even have that. :doubt:

Thoughts?

Yeh good article. Raises some interesting points. I believe Mitsubishi have been focusing more on the new Lancer than anything, after that dies down we may see some major improvements.

Who knows Mitsubishi might be secretly planning the release of the mivec 3.8 from teh Galant, can't imageine it'd be too hard to modify to fit.

The 380 is a solid, reliable, well built fleet car.

I believe Mitsubishi have been focusing more on the new Lancer than anything, after that dies down we may see some major improvements.

Who knows Mitsubishi might be secretly planning the release of the mivec 3.8 from teh Galant, can't imageine it'd be too hard to modify to fit.


Bah NO.

The article said it exactly, it's a car trying to fill a market that isn't there. Mitsu isn't going to put a more powerful engine in the car when the current one is sufficient.

They need to put a smaller engine in the car, and diesel, so they can acctually compete in a market that has more consumers.

Bah NO.

The article said it exactly, it's a car trying to fill a market that isn't there. Mitsu isn't going to put a more powerful engine in the car when the current one is sufficient.

They need to put a smaller engine in the car, and diesel, so they can acctually compete in a market that has more consumers.
They need to increase features to get an edge over the competition. Most of the big 6's are nearing the 200kw mark with Mitsubishi trailing behind. The Vr-x at least needs a more powerful engine as it's suppose to be the "sports" version of the 380, but is actually slower than the base model. diesel and 4 banger option would be good, but it'll all cost money which i don't see mitsubishi spending until the lancer is well into production/sales.

They need to increase features to get an edge over the competition. Most of the big 6's are nearing the 200kw mark with Mitsubishi trailing behind. The Vr-x at least needs a more powerful engine as it's suppose to be the "sports" version of the 380, but is actually slower than the base model. diesel and 4 banger option would be good, but it'll all cost money which i don't see mitsubishi spending until the lancer is well into production/sales.

It should have just been an engine tune, maybe a different cam.

Anyway, a 4 banger is a bad idea. The car is just to big. A nice 3L V6 would do the job just fine.

I don't see why they would promote the 380 much once new lancer sales pick up.

unfortunately, apart from the bogans, the market for a large car has dropped.

it needs AWD and an engine with at least 4 cams per cylinder...that puts over 200kw out as standard.

it needs a full array of safety features like the new lancer and a diesel option.

the rear seat needs to be 60/40 split for crying out loud.

it needs AWD and an engine with at least 4 cams per cylinder...that puts over 200kw out as standard.


24 Cam engine would be a world first, it's got 24 Valves. But maybe you're thinking of DOHC

it needs AWD and an engine with at least 4 cams per cylinder...that puts over 200kw out as standard.

it needs a full array of safety features like the new lancer and a diesel option.

the rear seat needs to be 60/40 split for crying out loud.

People keep forgetting they survived this long on a shoe string budget, I don't think they'll be spending anymore money on something that still might not sell.

People keep forgetting they survived this long on a shoe string budget, I don't think they'll be spending anymore money on something that still might not sell.

when was the last profit made at mmal? have they ever turned a profit?

they could run corollas down the line and make some good money that way :P

then they'd have enough cash to do like they did to the magna 2nd mortgage on the factory and put some bits from this and that model... maybe get rid of the 380 all together and up size the lancer 10% offer a 4 and a 6 and winner....

dont mitsu sell more lancers than any other model any way?

I think the 380 needs:

- The GT tailights on every model except maybe the base but redesign the indicators so they are actually visible when following them.
- Add ESP and curtain airbags so the journos will stop harping on about it.
- Inprove interior materials quality and appearance (too many hard surfaces) and ambience (the interiors look a little cold).
- Remove the spoiler on the VRX and add a lip spoiler only to the sports models. Was following one home tonight and aside from probably blocking almost all rearward vision, it looked like a tacked on afterthought (which it is really isn't it).
- Lower the ride height.

Mitsu need a Diamante replacement. :)

MMAL did what they could with a very average design.

I have only seen ONE Series III VRX, and that was when it had just come out... probably an exec driven car too. The new rear is hideous; they should've kept the GT style rear instead. Actually, I have barely seen ANY series III 380's, and I live in the home of the 380! - only seen new GT's. IMHO, the GT is the only model which looks good as part of Series III.

I have a feeling that the next mid-large global Mitsu sedan will be something good, given the improvements to pretty much the entire range of recent times. The future looks bright... but not for the 380.