380 Mitsubishi (Tease) Article In Todays Paper

[Louie]

For anyone interested.........make of it what you wish.

The Advertiser, 10-09-2005, Ed: 1 - State, Pg: 010, 416 words, NEWS

380 is everything you can imagine

Copy of article in today's "The Advertiser"

380 is everything you can imagine
BRYAN LITTLELY
10sep05

IT can tease me no longer . . . finally, I have driven the all-new Mitsubishi 380 on which the Adelaide-based carmaker's future depends.

For months this vehicle has flirted with me, given me sneaking glimpses, as it was test driven around Adelaide.
At times it has seemed even to stalk me at my home, dashing around the suburb of Clovelly Park I share with its maker, Mitsubishi Motors Australia.

It has tempted me to take its picture and inspired me to imagine just what is hidden by its various disguises.

Now, having yesterday been one of the first in Adelaide outside the Mitsubishi family to drive the 380, I know what this car is capable of.

But, alas, I cannot tell you.

A strict embargo to protect the impact months of marketing, promotion and build-up to the 380's official launch at the Sydney Motor Show on October 13 prevents me from doing so. What I can tell you is this: Prepare to be excited.

I can tell you it is a stylish, comfortable, spacious and agile large car, but I cannot tell you how Mitsubishi has achieved this.

I will tell you that this is not "the new Magna".

This is a new generation of motor vehicle engineering, design and manufacturing for Mitsubishi.
It is no secret the 380 is a 3.8-litre V6 engine driven large sedan with a five-speed transmission. Also clear is Mitsubishi's faith that you will not find a "better built, better backed" Australian-made car than the 380.

Motoring journalists from around Australia took a fleet of 380s from Melbourne's Crown Casino down to Mornington Peninsula for the first drive program of what will be an extended launch campaign.

Mitsubishi can block us from revealing details of its new car, but the strictest embargo cannot stop me from saying I enjoyed driving what I regard as a pretty special car.

[YLD57L]

I am interested to see how this turns out, considering the significance of the car for Mitsubishi Australia. Fingers crossed it isn't as ugly as the current Magna, otherwise that will seal its fate...

[Danv8]

Probably looks very similar to the yank Galant
http://www.invoicedealers.com/images/modelimages/large/l04410GalaES%5B%5B%5D%5D%5B%5B%5D%5D4552_2.jpg

[YLD57L]

Yeah that's what the hot tip is. :) Still interested in the final product.

[team illucid]

I think trying to sell a big car (with sales down by a third due to rising fuel costs) is the thing that will seal the fate of Mitsu in this country.

[Danv8]

I think trying to sell a big car (with sales down by a third due to rising fuel costs) is the thing that will seal the fate of Mitsu in this country.


Unless they offer an LPG option like they do in the current Magna.

[EvillBill]

Hands up anyone who has bought a Japanese or Japanese backed car for it's looks? Mazda6 is about it...

Mitsu should forget the big market, and bring something together to replace that poxy Lancer.

[juzza]

They should bring in the real evo, all these oldish lancers are really mirage sedans with a lancer badge :P and fake GSRs, that shits me

[rewop]

Looks like they forgot to take the disguise off the front! :lol:

[GTS_300_Coupe]

Sounds all fine and dandy. Only one problem though.... ITS STILL POS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE.
Large car FWD = t3h l0se.

/Thread
/Mitsubishi

VE will walk all over it.

[PaulST]

Unless they offer an LPG option like they do in the current Magna.
Both Ford and Holden (will soon) offer an LPG option and that hasn't stopped the slide.

[Falcon Freak]

Probably looks very similar to the yank Galant
http://www.invoicedealers.com/images/modelimages/large/l04410GalaES%5B%5B%5D%5D%5B%5B%5D%5D4552_2.jpg

From the base of the windscreen going back to the rear of the car the Mitsubishi 380 exterior is identical to the US Galant. The Mitsubishi 380 will have unique frontal styling (i.e. bonnet, guards, head lamps, front bumper and grille are all different). The Mitsubishi 380 is better looking than the US Galant.

FF

[bigdongers]

From the base of the windscreen going back to the rear of the car the Mitsubishi 380 exterior is identical to the US Galant. The Mitsubishi 380 will have unique frontal styling (i.e. bonnet, guards, head lamps, front bumper and grille are all different). The Mitsubishi 380 is better looking than the US Galant.

FF

thats good cause I reckon the US Galant is not that good looking. Not ugly but not attractive either.

[paulvdb]

The Mitsubishi 380 is better looking than the US Galant.

FF
It will need to be. Mitsu will close within a year if they release the Galant as-is, particularly seeing as the wagon has gone and there's no AWD option for quite a while.

The Galant looks like they took the old magna, added some extra creases, found some wierder front lights and bought a bunch of VT Commodore noses from the wreckers.

I read that the suspension in the 380 is a LONG way ahead of the Galant. That's good to hear as that means that all 4 Aussie manufacturers are going to competing on NVH and suspension feel - which is great for us concumers

[Falcon Freak]

The 380 is better looking than the Galant - trust me.

FF

[dave_au]

VE will walk all over it.

POS Fwd? Haha, careful, no one could spot a rear diff on the under car VE spy pics as posted in the other thread - if it is a VE. Hate to say it but more FWD are sold in Aus now than rwd too.

As for the 380, drive pretty much slammed the whole release in Sydney, something about embargoes and wanting to test it without Mitsubishi minder's dictating what can or couldn't be tested....

[YLD57L]

Hands up anyone who has bought a Japanese or Japanese backed car for it's looks? Mazda6 is about it...

Mitsu should forget the big market, and bring something together to replace that poxy Lancer.

Accord Euro? That's a nice looking car.

[smoke]

POS Fwd? Haha, careful, no one could spot a rear diff on the under car VE spy pics as posted in the other thread - if it is a VE. Hate to say it but more FWD are sold in Aus now than rwd too.

As for the 380, drive pretty much slammed the whole release in Sydney, something about embargoes and wanting to test it without Mitsubishi minder's dictating what can or couldn't be tested....

JEEZ! Could you imagine the response holden would get releasing an FWD commodore :( :( it wouldnt be mitsu going out of business.

[dave_au]

Exactly right - I wouldn't expect the VE to go fwd, but it's certainly hard to spot the diff in that undercar spypic!

[Falcon Freak]

That supposed picture of VE to me looks like a Ford and not a GM prototype. You can clearly see on the grille where the Ford badge would be fitted.

FF

[Evil LS1]

From the base of the windscreen going back to the rear of the car the Mitsubishi 380 exterior is identical to the US Galant. The Mitsubishi 380 will have unique frontal styling (i.e. bonnet, guards, head lamps, front bumper and grille are all different). The Mitsubishi 380 is better looking than the US Galant.

FF


God I hope so. It bad enough sharing the road with Camry's and Echo's (well any Toyota for that matter), imagine this hell spawn assaulting your senses every time you on the road.

[Louie]

Driving up to Ballarat this morning & I drove past coming the other way up to 4 truckloads of Mitsubishi 380’s with black tape at the front & back.
Then later driving back to Melbourne tonight & I over took another 2 trucks fully loaded with 380’s.

I don’t think these were for the press to test drive, but I reckon they will be heading straight into Mitsubishi dealers which will be stored in their back parking bays, waiting to be detailed for show room appearance in 3 weeks time.
I also must have a sticky out at Tolls Car Carriers in Lavernton to see if any there.

I must admit they looked Ok. Nice clean lines. And Bigger than I expected. All seem to have Alloy wheels. From side profile a little bit of DNA of the Honda Accord Euro. From what I made out the front won't look like anything like the USA Gallant.

The test is how will it look or (Date), when the new Camry hits in February 2006 & VE in July 2006.

[smoken2]

I'm sure there are people out there that will buy the 380.
But, stuff me I've had a GT falcon, a couple of small block old style monaro's,an A9X, and many a different style LS1 but I hate front wheel drive family cars.
I also had a V6 camry, driven a few V6 magnas and shit, those cars make me feel like going to church every Sunday, they are just so boring, no character.
And of course there all so perfect, they,ll never break down, but hell I suppose I'll have to buy one when I'm 65.
Catch you all later.