<![CDATA[Jalopnik: mitsubishi]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: mitsubishi]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/mitsubishi http://jalopnik.com/tag/mitsubishi <![CDATA[E'go Revolt: Russian 3000GT Officially Sketched]]> The E'go Revolt is a Russian car built on the old Mitsubishi 3000GT platform, which sounds like the worst idea ever — until you see the first official sketches below.


Since we first heard of the new Russian ride, in addition to the changes to the design, there's also been a slight change to the company's name. Rather than E-Go, it's now E'Go, which we suspect is pronounced like the delicious but terrible-for-you toaster heated waffles.

Since the car will ride atop a Mitsubishi 3000GT with a twin turbo V6 massaged to 550 HP, there are concessions to be made for engineering and fabrication, which necessitated the changes we see here; the rear fascia takes on an entirely different look and a large intake just behind the door for some reason. The whole effect is of a car more uniform in its design but nevertheless a completely strange endeavor.
[E'Go Motors (translated)]

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<![CDATA[Aussie Mitsubishi Evo Ad Defies Physics, Looks Awesome]]> Channeling JJ Abrams' Fringe for visual inspiration, this new ad for the Mitsubishi Evo out of Australia promises physics-defying performance.

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<![CDATA[2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT: First Drive]]> A new nose, a new front differential, and a button on the dash that says "Tarmac." Is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT the Lancer Evolution of SUVs, or just another… er… pretty face?

(We're taking a step back from 500 HP Week to bring you a timely first drive of a new vehicle. Sorry, these damn automakers are always messing with our timelines. — Ed.)

Full Disclosure: Mitsubishi flew us out to Palm Springs and put us up in a swanky hotel so we could bring you this review. Palm Springs was full of old "new" people, new "old" people, hip people, and old people with new hips. Our hotel was full of nifty fake cheetah fur and fizzy drinks. Also, we went to a bar where Liberace once hit on everyone. It was fun.

No, you're not seeing things –- that's a Mitsubishi Lancer's snout tacked onto the nose of a seven-passenger truck. This is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander. Do not adjust your screen.

We know what you're thinking: That is one big nose job.

In the industry, this sort of thing is known as a mid-cycle face-lift, a planned rejuvenation that occurs roughly halfway through a vehicle's production life. In these face-lifts, cosmetic updates are usually paired with a handful of mechanical and electronic refinements; the goal is to give sales a small boost and retain interest in the model until its replacement is ready for sale.

But enough with the background. We mention all of the above only so we can tell you this: Rarely is a face-lift this extreme. In one fell swoop, the Outlander has made the jump from relative nonexistence to something else entirely, something both polarizing and compelling. (Go ahead: Try and remember what the 2005-2009 Outlander's nose looks like. Five bucks says you can't.) It's like John Travolta's shift in Pulp Fiction –- at some point during that dance with Uma Thurman, Vinnie Barbarino began to matter again. And somehow, by borrowing a face, Japan's most anonymous SUV became interesting.

Also, Mitsubishi gave it an updated interior, the aforementioned differential, and ten more horsepower. We have thoughts on all of this.

Exterior Design ☆☆☆☆

This is one of those things that's entirely up to taste. The last Outlander suffered from anodyne looks and a wallflower vibe that encouraged parking valets to mistake it for a turkey sandwich. The truck you see here is as extroverted as its predecessor was sleepy; the gaping hole in its maw is either a killer shout-out to the Evo's rally heritage or a tribute to the everlasting glory of the Mississippi River catfish. We like it, but we also like bourbon milkshakes and playing the music of John Philips Sousa very loudly at three o'clock in the morning. We acknowledge that such things are not for everyone. Your call.

Interior Design ☆☆☆

Excellent use of space. A mix of above-average and below-average materials. (On a recent press launch, a certain journalist accidentally scratched the bejesus out of an Outlander's dash by simply skittering his fingernails across it. Diamond-like fingernails, or an interior in need of slightly more attention to detail? You be the judge.)

The Outlander's interior has the same refreshing sparseness and black-coffee simplicity found in all current Mitsubishis; things are occasionally boomy over rough pavement, but the thin pillars and good visibility prompt you to throw the truck around in ways that you probably shouldn't. The thickly bolstered front seats may not suit the girthier folk of middle America, but they hold you remarkably well when dropping into seemingly bottomless off-camber turns with one wheel in the air. (Not that we would know.)

Performance ☆☆☆

Make no mistake: There's no Evo firecracker under the Outlander's hood. Mitsubishi's 230-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 lives in the GT's scowling snout, and while it's competent and smooth, it's by no means overly potent. As with the old Outlander, the standard 6-speed automatic — intuitive and quick to respond to a prod of the shifter or the column-mounted paddles — is the best part of the package. (Interesting question: Would we take an Evo drivetrain if it were available? Sure, even though it would probably send the Outlander's sticker price through the roof. But we doubt that anyone else would want one.)

Ride and Handling ☆☆☆☆

Handling is the Outlander's main party trick — it's blessed with decent steering feel and a suspension just sharp enough to be handy in the hills. The Super All-Wheel Control business is Japanese embroidery for the electronically controlled front differential; it shuffles torque between the front wheels when it senses wheelspin, but most people won't notice it in action. (The "Tarmac/Snow" setting on the console knob simply modifies how aggressively the system does its job.)

All told, the end result is something that sneaks up on you. The Outlander will hustle down a country road or blaze down a freeway with surprising speed, but it doesn't have any interest in throwing its talents in your face.

Toys and Tech ☆☆

Items of note: a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo with a ten-inch subwoofer in the trunk; a sunroof; an optional navigation system. The stereo can store songs on its internal hard drive, and there are iPod and video jacks in the center console. Given the price point, this is a respectable, but not remarkable, amount of icing.

Value ☆☆☆

At $29,990, the Outlander GT is almost three grand more than the base Outlander ($27,130). Neither is a bargain, and both feel a bit too expensive for what they are. It's kind of like eating out in California if you're from the Midwest –- the food is generally pretty good, but you can't shake the feeling that there's a better deal just down the street.

Overall: 76%

A good SUV, but not a great one. That said, the GT is a more well-rounded truck than the base Outlander, and it's definitely worth paying a premium for. On top of that, the competition — specifically, the offerings from Nissan, Hyundai, and Ford – isn't anywhere near as much fun to drive. This is what you buy if you have to have a mid-size crossover and don't want to spend a lot or drive an appliance. It'd be nice if both this and the regular Outlander were a bit cheaper, but you can't have everything.

Suitability Parameters: Who Should Buy This?

● Tuner Crowd
● Soccer Moms
● Rally Freaks who breed

Suitability Parameters: Who Shouldn't Buy This?

● Penny Pinchers
● Speed Merchants
● Treehuggers
● People who think the Mercury Mariner handles just fine

Also Consider:

● Ford Escape
● Honda CR-V
● Mazda CX-7
● Nissan Rogue

Vitals:

Model Year: 2010
Make: Mitsubishi
Model: Outlander
Trim: GT
Price, Base/As Tested: $29,990/$29,990
Engine: 3.0-liter SOHC V-6
Horsepower & Torque: 230 hp @ 6250 rpm/215 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3860 pounds
0-to-60: 7.5 sec (est.)
Top Speed: n/a
Crash Testing, Front/Rear/Side: n/a
Fuel Economy (EPA): 18/24 mpg

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<![CDATA[The Snake Wants To Put You In A '78 Plymouth Arrow!]]> Don "The Snake" Prudhomme did pretty well with his Arrow… and somehow the success of a vaguely Arrow-shaped Funny Car implied that the street version of the badge-engineered Mitsubishi Celeste would also be, you know, not too slow.

Actually, the Arrow did all right for its time, certainly a more interesting car than most of the other vaguely sporty economy machines of the Middle Malaise Era. We wish more Arrows were on the street today, but most were crushed decades ago. Thanks to Joe Hardrock for the tip!

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<![CDATA[Mitsubishi Fan-Boys Draw Clever Parallel Between Delica Van And A Hand Basket]]> Sure, but at least you'd also be in quirky Japanese people carrier heaven. [via CarChat]

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<![CDATA[Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience: Because Oversteer Kicks Ass]]> The Lancer Evolution Experience starts off like most driving schools: You are plopped in front of a chalkboard and lectured to. After that, you're sent out and made to get wicked sideways. And that's when you wake the hell up.

Full Disclosure: Mitsubishi paid for our entry to the Russell Lancer Experience and offered to put us up in a nearby hotel for the night. Because we don't always swing that way (multinational corporations usually hog the bed) and because we live twelve miles from Jim Russell's Infineon Raceway facility, we graciously passed on the latter. Sadly, our home minibar was not restocked in the morning.

Before we go any further, let's make one thing clear: When I say "sideways," I mean sideways. What we have here is some unhinged, prescription-strength, industrial-grade madness. And the cars—bone-stock Evolution Xs—do it happily, and they ask (beg, plead, pray) for you to keep it up, and all four tires burn like the Cuyahoga while you dance the dance of a thousand rally stars. If you listen closely, you can hear Tommi Mäkinen laughing.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

For the most part, one-day driving schools are not the stuff of legend. You show up, you take a class, you play on a skid pad, and you go home. This is not what happens at the one-day Evolution Experience. Mitsubishi Motors and Russell are well aware of the Evo X's strengths, and as such, the Evo school's curriculum was designed to highlight the car's killer chassis and all-wheel-drive system. Over the course of eight hours, you become intimately familiar with both the laws of physics and the Evo's staggeringly talented rear differential. You also spend most of your time leading with your taillights.

If the whole process sounds boring, then you're either the type of person who gets carsick in the parking lot at church or you have no soul. The school's exercises are spread across two large skid pads and all of Infineon Raceway's 2.5-mile track; the program is aimed at drivers of modest skill, but the ass-out exposure to one of the best all-wheel-drive production cars on the planet should be enough to draw more experienced 'shoes. As with most Russell programs, the emphasis is on tailored instruction and at-your-own-pace improvement; the school's instructors are happy to vary their teaching style based on student skill and need. Counterintuitive lessons abound—the Evo's unique all-wheel-drive system and active rear diff ensure that a lot of old-school techniques don't apply, and you can find yourself at minimum yaw if you try and go with your instincts. (A tip: Countersteer less, throw the car around more. And don't be afraid to throw it hard.)

All told, the Russell program isn't so much driving school as treatise on the Evo's genius—by showing ordinary folk the ins and outs of sliding a rally rocket on dry pavement, it merely reinforces the Lancer's formidable legend. At $1000 tuition, is it a bit too expensive for what you get? Probably. Is the whole production simply an elaborate advertisement for the most capable Mitsubishi ever built? Of course. Does that make it any less worthwhile? Not in the slightest.


The details: Jim Russell Racing Driver's School. Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California. One thousand ($1000) dollars tuition per driver. www.jimrussellusa.com.

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<![CDATA[Jalopnik Vs GM: The Action]]> Finally, here's what you've been waiting for: action photos and video from yesterday's Jalopnik Vs GM race. Maybe if I'd kept all four of the Evo's wheels on the road, I'd have been faster.

Photo + Mechanic's credit: Kerry Pierno and Darren Barrone
Video credit: Al Navarro

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<![CDATA[Mitsubishi Releases Sketch Of "Game Changer" Crossover]]> We're guessing this sketch of the next Mitsubishi crossover, based on the ferocious little Concept cX, will not actually be called "game changer" when it goes into production next year. Seriously, it's not the game it's the player.

Mitsubishi admits in their press release they're going to make a strategic shift from "being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers, with a presence in the "authentic off-roader" segment." We look forward to the authentic off-roader segment and a move away from utterly forgettable cars (with the exception of the EVO and Lancer Wagon). They claim this to be "pre-empting" the change in the market, which we think is a charitable description of where the market is. Either way, it's a step in the right direction.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announces today the forthcoming introduction of its all-new on-road Compact Crossover, to be retailed first in Japan from February 2010 onwards.
Derived from the much-acclaimed 2007 Concept-cX show car, it is the latest development of MMC's mid-size global platform ("Project Global").
This most important product will further support Mitsubishi Motors' strategic shift from being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers*, with a presence in the "authentic off-roader" segment** – itself pre-empting structural changes in market demand.
As such – and after i-MiEV – this on-road Compact Crossover will be the Corporation's next game changer towards lower impact vehicles, in their format and/or in the innovative MMC proprietary technologies they will feature.
The European premiere is scheduled for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. 

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<![CDATA[Cadillac CTS-V Vs Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR: By The Numbers]]> Here's the tale of the tape - how GM's Bob Lutz and his Cadillac CTS-V matches up to me in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR heading into tomorrow's Jalopnik Vs GM race at Monticello Motor Club.

Despite being more similar in weight and size than you'd expect, the Evo is still significantly lighter and smaller than the CTS-V, but the Cadillac obviously has a huge power and torque advantage. Perhaps more tellingly, the Evo can lap the 12.93 miles of fast corners on the Nurburgring within 12 seconds of the CTS-V. Tomorrow, we'll see what that gap looks like after 4.1 miles of tight turns and one long straight.

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<![CDATA[Monticello Motor Club: A Turn-By-Turn Analysis]]> Think Monticello Motor Club and you think of the long back straight. But the rest of the track is tight and very technical, giving the Mitsubishi Evo X MR good odds against the CTS-V tomorrow. Here's how I can win.

The full 4.1-mile course at Monticello is a monster, with 20 corners and three straights. The Cadillac CTS-V isn't just muscle and no cornering, but with torque vectoring differentials and weighing 600 Lbs less, the Evo is still going to give it a run for its money. At the very least, this should be a close race.

Here's my own turn-by-turn analysis of what challenges Lutz and I are going to face tomorrow, who's going to have the advantage in which sections and where it's most likely we'll see the 77-year-old crash his 556 HP Cadillac.

Photo Credit: jdoggny @ Flickr
Section: Turn 1
Description: The map does neither the tightness of this corner nor the lack of runoff justice. A near 90-degree left hander taken at the bottom of 2nd gear, the downhill braking zone for which comes at the end of the second longest straight on the track.
Analysis: The more powerful CTS-V will reach a higher speed on the straight, meaning it'll need to brake earlier. The Caddy has a huge understeer issue in this corner if you try to push it, meaning Lutz will basically have to park the car, throwing away the corner and therefore the setup for 2.
Advantage: Evo X
Risk of Lutz Crashing: High

Section: Turn 2
Description: You take a late apex through this 2nd gear right hander in order to get your power down early so you can accelerate through turn 3.
Analysis: The Evo will be better setup going into this corner and, thanks to AWD, will be able to get its power down much earlier.
Advantage: Evo X
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

Section: Turn 3
Description: Sweeping right hander flat out in third gear. Don't track out all the way on the exit so you can brake in a straight line for turn 4.
Analysis: The Cadillac's power advantage will help here, but the Evo will benefit from a cleaner exit from turn 2.
Advantage: Equal
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

Section: Turn 4
Description: A deceptively tight right hander with plenty of grip thanks to slightly Itpositive camber.
Analysis: It's easy to get a lot of oversteer here, either through lifting to make it through the corner after failing to brake hard enough or getting on the power too hard on the exit. In fast, heavy cars like the CTS-V, you want to late apex and get on the power in a straight line to turn 5, without spinning it all away showing off. The Evo will be able to apex earlier and get its power down easier
Advantage: Evo X
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Moderate

Section: Turns 5 & 6
Description: The reverse esses, you can straighten this out pretty effectively so just power through and end up on driver's right for the entry to turn 6.
Analysis: Not much to say, just don't overcook it into 6.
Advantage: CTS-V
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

Section: Turn 7
Description: The Carrousel. Very wide, very long, 180-degree, uphill corner.
Analysis: A difficult turn to hit the right line in, you're supposed to stay out to the right till 2/3 of the way through, then tuck into the apex. You want to use as much power as possible from the apex out without straightening your wheel as it continues to curve to the left all the way up to turn 8.
Advantage: Equal
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Moderate

Section: Turns 8 & 9
Description: The Double Apex. It's actually more of a single late apex as you brake and turn late into 8 to hit a late apex on 9. Third gear.
Analysis: It's all about getting 9 right so you get a good exit onto the short straight leading up to 10. Not terribly challenging once you figure it out.
Advantage: Equal
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

Section: Turn 10
Description: The 90. A 90-degree right hander that leads on the very, very fast back straight, so exit speed is everything.
Analysis: Deceptively slow, it's easy to wait too late to brake then run wide, screwing up your exit. You don't want to do that. Slow in fast out. Slow in fast out. Sacrifice the entry speed for exit speed.
Advantage: Evo X
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Moderate

Section: Turn 11 and the Long Straight
Description: An incredibly fast straight with a light sweep to the right. Turn that corner into a much of a straight as possible. Most cars, including the V end up needing a shift right in that corner, which is a little risky at such high speeds, so make sure you're in a straight line when you do that.
Analysis: This is my biggest concern. The V is well north of 170 MPH back here and the Evo can't manage much more than 150. Taking the sweeper flat out with an upshift is a pucker moment and the opportunity does exist to get it very wrong if you aren't careful with your weight transfer while shifting the Cadillac.
Advantage: CTS-V
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Moderate

Section: Turns 12, 13 &14
Description: The End Of Straight Esses. The map doesn't do this corner justice as there's a fair bit of elevation change. Uphill braking area for 12 helps late braking and turn-in, but there's a peak on the apex of 13 and it's a very tight, 3rd gear corner. Lots of weight transfer across the vehicle's front-to-rear and side-to-side axis.
Analysis: This is where I have to make up the time I'll lose on the straight. Lutz is going to be travelling considerably faster so will have to brake earlier and harder. If he doesn't, he'll lose it in 13 or at least screw up there, which'll mean he ruins 14 and the exit into the short straight that follows.
Advantage: Evo X
Risk of Lutz Crashing: High

Section: Turn 15
Description: A right hand kink with a standard line, you can carry a lot of speed and then get on the power hard and early.
Analysis: You think it's faster than it is, but still, this is a power corner.
Advantage: CTS-V
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Moderate

Section: Turn 16
Description: The Left Kink. A left sweeper over a blind crest. This is the corner that will catch you out if you're going too fast.
Analysis: The blind crest fools people into treating this like a straight and carrying too much speed through. You need to lift slightly just before you crest the hill, but of course if you lift too late you spin. You need to be very smooth on the downhill then turn the entry into 17 into a straight, you'll need to brake a lot for the next corner.
Advantage: Evo X
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Very High

Section: Turn 17
Description: A very tight hairpin. Another slow in, fast out corner where you want to sacrifice entry speed to get the power down as early as possible. Use the full width of the track on the exit.
Analysis: The back straight isn't that long, but it's still a straight coming off a very slow corner, so you're basically setting yourself up for a drag race and there's just no getting around the CTS-V's power advantage.
Advantage: CTS-V
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

Section: Turn 18
Description: A weird corner that I've never gotten 100% perfect. It's another apparent double apex that works better as a late single.
Analysis: There's a bump on the second apex and you don't straighten out completely on the exit while still needing to be on the power hard. I'm hoping that bump and the general trickiness weigh things in my favor here.
Advantage: Equal
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Moderate

Section: Turn 19
Description: The Backwards S. A fairly standard right hander with an entry that curves to the left. You need to compromise this corner so you can be all the way to driver's right for the entry to 20.
Analysis: Banking makes this corner a breeze, but it's all about setting yourself up for 20, not carrying speed here.
Advantage: Equal
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

Section: Turn 20 and the pitt straight.
Description: A tight left hander that sets you up for the back straight. Stay out late, hit the apex and nail the throttle.
Analysis: The Evo will be able to get on the power earlier, the CTS-V has more power. It's advantage in speed on the straight will be less than you might think, especially since it'll have to brake so hard for turn 1.
Advantage: Equal
Risk of Lutz Crashing: Low

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<![CDATA[Not Content With Making Counterfeit $100 Bills, North Korea Also Makes Cars!]]> North Korea is known for producing quality fake Benjamins, industrial-strength methamphetamine, phony Marlboros, and plutonium. Did you know that North Korea also builds new cars? Peace Motors builds Italian, Chinese, and Japanese knockoffs.

Pyeongwah Motors offers the Hwiparam (Fiat Siena), Ppeokkugi (Fiat Doblo), Premio (Dandong Shuguang), Junma (Ssangyong Chairman), and Hwiparam II (Brilliance Junjie). Thanks to Reliant Scimitar-driving Judge Torchinsky, we've got the Pyeongway Motors sales brochure:

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<![CDATA[Celebrating 450 Old Vehicles Down On The Alameda Street: The Japanese]]> We saw the non-German European Alameda DOTS machines yesterday, and today we'll admire the old Japanese iron that still survives on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot.

The Gawker Server Hamsters won't let me show you all 450 cars and trucks (actually more than 480 by now) at once- they go into an angry rodent frenzy that just isn't pretty when I try- but we'll get to all of them this way. Next up… maybe the trucks? The Detroit compacts? Who can say? For now, enjoy the Datsuns, Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, and Mitsubishis. I've included some Ford and Chrysler captive imports, such as the Plymouth Fire Arrow and the Ford Courier, since they're 100% Japanese designed and built.

1966 Datsun 1969 Datsun 1970 Datsun 1970 Datsun
1971 Datsun 1971 Datsun 1971 Datsun 1971 Toyota
1972 Datsun 1973 Datsun 1973 Datsun 1973 Ford
1974 Datsun 1975 Datsun 1975 Toyota 1976 Honda
1977 Honda 1977 Toyota 1977 Toyota 1978 Datsun
1978 Dodge 1978 Dodge 1979 Datsun 1979 Honda
1980 Plymouth 1980 Datsun 1980 Datsun 1980 Honda
1980 Plymouth 1981 Toyota 1981 Datsun 1981 Datsun
1981 Mazda 1982 Honda 1982 Datsun 1982 Mazda
1982 Toyota 1983 Honda 1983 Toyota 1983 Nissan
1983 Toyota 1984 Toyota 1984 Toyota 1984 Toyota
1984 Toyota 1984 Toyota 1985 Toyota 1985 Mazda
1985 Toyota 1985 Toyota 1985 Toyota 1986 Toyota
1986 Toyota 1986 Toyota 1986 Honda 1987 Honda
1987 Toyota 1987 Mitsubishi 1987 Subaru 1988 Mitsubishi
1989 Subaru


DOTS FAQ

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<![CDATA[520 HP Mitsubishi Colt Drops Transmission Onto Highway... Literally]]> We didn't think a Mitsubishi Colt was capable of 520 HP, however, during an acceleration run in this kid's Colt, a nasty clunk led to the clutch rolling past. The transmission literally fell out.

Making 520HP at the wheels on a dyno is no joke for a turbocharged four-cylinder, especially from a car that never got much respect during its life, but this Colt manages it at a crushing 44 PSI of boost. That built engine wasn't hooked up to a particularly fortified transmission though, so this impressive failure was pretty much inevitable. Very nicely done sirs. (Hat tip to Sean!)

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<![CDATA[Engine Of The Day: Mitsubishi Sirius]]> Mitsubishi hasn't been well represented in this series, so let's follow up its Astron engine with another Mitsubishi four-cylinder: the Sirius.

Available in displacements ranging from a gas-sipping 1.6 liters to a torquey 2.4 liters, the most famous of all the 4G6 Sirius engines was the 1,997cc turbocharged 4G63T of rally-dominating Lancer Evolution and Galant VR-4 fame. Variations of the Sirius have been installed in dozens of different Mitsubishi, Chrysler, Hyundai, and Chery vehicles, from the Chariot to the Sonata, and the 4G69 Sirius lives on today in the Eclipse, Outlander, and Galant. That's nearly 30 years, which gives the Sirius an automatic acceptance into the Jalopnik Workhorse Engine Hall-O-Fame™. Thanks to EvoCS for recommending the 4G6!
[Wikipedia; image source: Tampa Racing]

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<![CDATA[Looking For The Union Label On Your American-Built Car?]]> We've found a snazzy interactive map that shows the location of the plant at every American-built car and light truck is assembled, along with information on that plant's unionization or lack thereof.

The New York Times piece also lists the nation of origin for each vehicle's engine and transmission, and the overall effect is to provide tirade ammunition for both ends of the political spectrum. For example, if you know that unions (and the hand-wringin', gun-confiscatin', Kyoto-treaty-signin' parlor-pink liberals who enable them) have systematically destroyed everything that was once good and true about this country, you'll be able to point to the proof, right there for all to see! Likewise, if you have no doubt that the same oligarchs who rammed Taft-Hartley down our throats are out to crush the last vestiges of American labor dignity (their hands still red with the blood of Sacco and Vanzetti!), you'll see the truth on this map!

[New York Times, thanks to Franzouse for the tip]

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<![CDATA[Team Cajun Jihad Makes Big Impression On Infidel Judges, Chances For World Peace Set Back Decades]]> When we heard that a team called "Cajun JiHad" was signed up for the 24 Hours Of LeMons New Orleans, we thought "Sure hope these guys have the costumes to go with that great name!"


We needn't have worried. We went through most of the day's BS Inspections, and by late afternoon we'd started to think that maybe the Cajun Jihadis weren't even going to show up. Then we noticed a commotion at the other end of the paddock: wailing music cranking from PA speakers mounted on the roof of a desert-camo Mitsubishi and a bunch of AK47-wielding, burlap-sack-wearing, fake-bearded lunatics performing some sort of choreographed dance routine... and headed our way. "It must be Cajun Jihad!" we rejoiced!



It's so incredibly wrong, on so many levels, yet how could we not love the Cajun Jihadis? From the lobstercrawfish-with-rifle stencils on their burlap sacks to the cartwheels, these guys made perhaps the best initial impression that any LeMons team has ever made upon first appearance at the tech inspection. Even when their not-so-safe roll cage failed the inspection and they were sentenced to an all-nighter of metal cutting-and-pasting, they didn't issue whine one (unlike some other teams we won't name). In fact, they went back into their assault-rifle dance routine as they headed to their pit space to get to work. We're definitely looking forward to seeing how the Jihad does on the track tomorrow morning!

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<![CDATA[Mitsubishi Evo Destroyed Filming Top Gear Season 13]]> Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson's no stranger to unleashing military might on passenger cars. His latest exploit appears to involve a white Evo VII.

Perhaps his greatest move in the genre was when he went medieval on a Corvette in a helicopter equipped with two miniguns. It is also the clip I post here with a significant amount of trepidation, hoping that y’all will not feel compelled to subject your crazy Euro car boy to similar treatment. Do note that I like Corvettes a great deal. Still—it’s hilarious television.

As Season 13 of Top Gear is being filmed, a set of photos have made it to the Lancer Register message board, showing soldiers, a large sand-colored military vehicle, a helicopter, and a white Evo which progresses between pictures from intact to severely damaged. The connection between these elements is not, at the moment, readily apparent.

Until further details emerge, may I suggest Top Gear’s take on a Range Rover vs. a Challenger tank or a Lotus Exige vs. an Apache helicopter gunship?

Photo Credit: Lancer Register

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<![CDATA[Production All-Electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV Gets Eye-Popping $47K Price]]> The long-brewing, all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV has finally gotten the production green-light and a sale price. It's a rather bracing $47,000 for the Japanese market. Spendy, but no gasoline necessary is a pretty killer feature, right?

The production i-MiEV looks a whole lot like the ones that've been running through fleet testing and the press gambit for a while, so the styling isn't much of a shocker, the price is a bit on the steep side for a fairly compact ride though. However, it is the first to market with a new electric vehicle available to the general public. Well, first in a relative sense, since electrics were around in the early parts of the 20th century, and again in the 90's, and in the Tesla... well okay, it's the first relatively cheap modern EV.

It's powered by a 64 HP electric motor with 132 lb-ft running off a 16 kWh lithium ion battery. With a total vehicle weight of 2,425 lbs, that puts the range at about 100 miles, depending on how heavy your foot is. Pretty good for a passenger EV, still, it'll be a while before we plunk down that kind of dough for a limited-range jellybean.

Mitsubishi Motors to Bring New-Generation EV i-MiEV to Market
Delivery to corporate, governmental and local authority users starts late July; Sales to individuals to start April 2010

June 4, 2009 —TOKYO —
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today, on World Environment Day, unveiled the production version of the i-MiEV1 2 new-generation electric vehicle (EV), describing it as "the pioneer that will open the door to the next 100 years of our automobile society." The i-MiEV will go on sale on the Japanese market in late July of this year.

The i-MiEV represents the crystallization of some 40 years of electric vehicle development at Mitsubishi Motors. The company is presenting the production i-MiEV as the ultimate eco-car, a solution to the various challenges the automobile faces today including environmental pollution, global warming and the depletion of petroleum-based energy supplies. The company will continue its extensive collaboration with both private and public sectors in Japan and overseas in developing infrastructure to promote ownership of EVs.

Mitsubishi Motors expects to distribute, on a maintenance lease3 basis, some 1,400 i-MiEV models in fiscal 2009 principally to corporations and to local authorities. The company plans to start sales of i-MiEV to individuals in April 2010 and will start taking orders on the Mitsubishi Motors web site in late July of this year.

1: MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle
2: i-MiEV : For the full production model a hyphen has been added to the name by which the advance experiment and proving models have been known.
3: Maintenance lease: A lease in which the monthly payments include some of the taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.

The i-MiEV

i-MiEV : Overview
The i-MiEV makes maximum use of the long wheelbase that stems from its base model the "i" minicar's rear-midship layout to install a large capacity lithium-ion drive battery under the floor and the power unit under the luggage compartment. This provides a cruising range that is ample for everyday use without compromising the generous seating or luggage space of the "i."

The introduction of the MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System)4 - an advanced integrated vehicle management system into which the company has poured its wealth of know-how garnered from many years of EV research and development - has provided the kind of high performance and reliability that befits a new-generation EV.

4 Generic name for the integrated vehicle management system developed by Mitsubishi Motors for new-generation EVs.

Principal product features

1. Zero drive-time CO2 emissions
The i-MiEV is a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) which produces no CO2 emissions while being driven. Even when the CO2 gas emitted at power generating stations is taken into consideration, the i-MiEV generates approximately one-third of the CO2 produced by the gasoline "i" minicar (Calculated in-house based on the average of electric energy frameworks in Japan).

2. Driven 100% by electrical power
The i-MiEV is very economical because it only uses electrical energy as its power source. Also, depending on electric power company rate fees, the running cost can be reduced further by charging the battery when off-peak (late night) rates apply5.
5An application must be submitted to the electric power company to qualify for domestic late night rates.

3. Quiet, agile, comfortable performance
The i-MiEV delivers the quiet and comfortable motoring experience only possible from an internal combustion engine-less EV. Maximizing the excellent response and high low-end torque inherent to its electric motor i-MiEV enables a level of responsive and powerful performance that surpasses that of the gasoline-powered turbo engine "i" minicar.

4. Ample range for everyday minicar use
The i-MiEV has a single-charge range of 160 km6 in the Japanese 10-15 mode urban driving pattern. This gives it a range that is ample7 for everyday minicar use.
6 Actual range will vary depending on weather conditions, road congestion and on how the driver operates his vehicle (use of accelerator, climate control system, etc.)
7 A nationwide survey in Japan indicates that on average 90% of car drivers cover less than 40 km/day on weekdays and that 80% cover less than 60 km/day at weekends and holidays (in-house research).

5. 3 ways to charge the battery
The i-MiEV uses a 3-way charging system that allows the drive battery to be charged at home or when out and about. For normal charging i-MiEV is connected to either a standard 100-volt or 200-volt domestic outlet using the charging cables supplied with the vehicle. The i-MiEV's battery can also be "quick charged" at quick-charge stations which are currently being established throughout Japan.

Charging time guide 8
Method Power source Time
Normal** 200V AC(15Amp) Approx. 7 hours (full charge)
100V AC(15Amp) Approx. 14 hours (full charge)
Quick 200V 3-phase (50 kW) (Using quick-charger gun) Approx. 30 mins. (80% charge)

8 Actual charging times may vary depending on such factors as air temperature and power source status.
** The normal charging gun and normal charging connector were jointly developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and Yazaki Corporation.

Advanced technology

1. Main powertrain components
(1) Drive battery
The i-MiEV is powered by a very high energy-density lithium-ion battery manufactured by Lithium Energy Japan9. The large-capacity drive battery is comprised of 88 lithium-ion cells connected in series and is installed under the floor in the center of the vehicle. This configuration contributes to outstanding handling and stability due to the car's low center of gravity.

9 Joint venture established on December 12, 2007 between Mitsubishi Motors, GS Yuasa Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation to develop, manufacture and sell large-capacity and high energy-density lithium-ion cells for EV use.

(2)Motor (power unit)
The i-MiEV uses a high-efficiency compact and lightweight permanent magnet synchronous electric motor specially developed for the vehicle. It generates maximum torque from low engine speeds to deliver powerful response and a comfortable ride experience. When the vehicle slows down the regenerative brake system causes the motor to operate as a generator. The electrical energy recovered is stored in the drive battery.

(3)Transmission
The i-MiEV uses a lightweight and compact single-speed reduction gear transmission, exploiting the high low-end torque inherent to the electric motor and eliminating the need for complex gear shifting mechanisms as found in internal combustion engine powered vehicles.

(4)On-board charger
The i-MiEV comes with a compact, lightweight on-board charger that allows the drive battery to be charged using a domestic 100V/200V AC line.

(5)DC/DC converter
The DC/DC converter is used to charge the 12-volt auxiliary battery and power electrical equipment. It is integrated with the on-board charger in a single unit to reduce size and weight.

(6) Inverter
The i-MiEV 's motor is driven by an alternating current. The inverter converts high-voltage direct current from the drive battery to alternating current and supplies motor with the power required to drive the vehicle.

2. Combination meter display
The combination meter instrument cluster is comprised of a power meter that presents a visual display of power consumption and energy recovery status, a drive battery residual charge indicator that indicates how much remaining power there is left in the drive battery, and an available range indicator that displays an estimate of how far the vehicle can be driven on the basis of average power consumption over the last few kilometers.

3. Shift selector
The shift selector provides the three positions described below that allow the driver to choose between maximum fun, maximum economy or maximum regenerative brake bias.

* D-position: Generates gutsy torque in direct response to accelerator input and allows the driver to enjoy i-MiEV 's performance potential to the maximum.
* Eco-position: Reduces power output and consumption to deliver maximum economy.
* B-position: Increases the regenerative brake bias. Power output is the same as for D.

4. Climate control
The i-MiEV 's climate control system features air conditioning with an electrically powered compressor and a heating system which circulates warm water heated by an electric heater. The control dial provides six-step manual adjustment of both cooling and heating temperatures. The system reduces power consumption by minimizing occasions when both cooling unit and the heater operate together.

5.Safety features

(1)Drive battery protected by sturdy frame
The high-voltage system, battery pack included, is located inside the body frame and is further protected by a well-crib frame against damage from any direction of impact.

(2) Integrated vehicle management system: MiEV OS
The MiEV OS (MiEV Operating System) gathers data and information from all the major EV components to provide integrated management of the i-MiEV 's performance. The advanced management system constantly monitors battery status and the energy recovered from the regenerative brakes while regulating output to ensure smooth and powerful acceleration from a full stop. As a result the system optimizes and minimizes energy consumption while delivering road performance that is comfortable, safe and reassuring.

Other equipment and trim

1.Body colors
The range of 8 body finishes includes monotones and two types of 2-tone color schemes.
(1)Monotones
Three monotone colors are offered: White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic and Raspberry Red Pearl (factory option).
(2) 2-tone schemes (factory option):

* Type A: The two 2-tone color schemes that have been used to date to highlight the i-MiEV 's originality are available: Red Solid / White Solid and Cool Silver Metallic / White Solid.
* Type B: In addition two new 2-tone color schemes are available.
"Clean image:" White Pearl / Ocean Blue Metallic and White Pearl / Mint Green.
"Premium image:" Cool Silver Metallic / Black Mica.

2. LED headlamps and rear combination lamps
The i-MiEV is the first minicar10 and the first Mitsubishi Motors model to use LED headlamps, which throw a longer and wider low-beam pattern while also cutting power consumption. The rear combination lamps also use fast-illuminating LED emitters for the tail and stop lamps, making these lamps more instantly visible to following vehicles.

10 As of end May 2009, according to Mitsubishi Motors research.

3. PBS-bamboo fiber Green Plastic tailgate trim
The i-MiEV uses PBS (polybutylene succinate)-bamboo fiber Green Plastic for the tailgate interior trim. The use of PBS-bamboo fiber cuts life-cycle emissions (from extraction of raw materials to final disposal of product) of CO2 by some 10 percent compared with polypropylene.

4. Mitsubishi Multi-Entertainment System (MMES)
The i-MiEV is available with the Mitsubishi Multi-Entertainment System (with a 7-inch display and SSD navigation) that is built around solid state drive (SSD) technology to offer outstanding power saving and shock resistant properties. MMES is a factory-fitted option. The navigation database can be updated using SD flash cards and the company plans to use this feature to display the location of battery charging stations as they become available.

Sales information (for Japanese domestic market)

Sales target: 1,400 units (fiscal 2009)

MSRP: JPY 4,599,000 (consumption tax inclusive)11
JPY 4,380,000 (ex-tax) 12

(Price does not include recycling fee, insurance, taxes other than consumption tax or registration costs.)

Sales contract type: Maintenance lease

11 i-MiEV qualifies for "Subsidies for measures designed to promote introduction of clean energy vehicles," currently implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. For fiscal 2009, intending owners are eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of JPY 1,390,000 on approval of an application submitted to the Next Generation Vehicle Promotion Center (The intending owner must apply for the subsidy and receive notification of its approval before the vehicle is registered).

12 Under current Japanese tax incentives to promote the ownership of eco-cars, the i-MiEV is exempt from the excise and weight taxes normally collectable on purchase of a new vehicle.

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<![CDATA[Buy Mitsubishi, Get Goat For Free]]> Proving that "Flight of the Conchords" is completely accurate, Mitsubishi New Zealand is giving away free goats with every Triton truck. But what about goat flu? One of the best press releases ever below.

You really need to read all of this hilarious (and we think maybe sincere) press release to capture the full comedic value.

Mitsubishi offers free goat
22 May 2009
In a drive to help the rural community stave off the recession, Mitsubishi Motors is supporting primary productivity by offering a free goat with every new Triton sold before August.

"We firmly believe that New Zealand's recovery is in the hands of the rural sector and they're the people who are buying our utes," said MMNZ general manager of sales and marketing Peter Wilkins. "Goats, like our Tritons, are hardy, versatile units, which will integrate directly into existing farm operations".

"Goats improve farm productivity by providing an environmentally friendly defence against noxious weeds and they're a lot cheaper than toxic sprays".

"Goats also provide export commodities that can help improve our balance of payments. They grow a fine micron fleece, much like the renowned Merino, which can be used to produce high-quality garments. Goat's milk provides a nutritious alternative for the growing number of lactose intolerant people and while goat meat is seldom featured in Western restaurants, developing countries consume vast quantities," said Mr Wilkins.

"And, most importantly, there is no such thing as Goat Flu – so no threat to tourism. It's hard to see a downside," he added.

"At MMNZ, we are aware that three years of drought has severely depleted sheep and beef populations, so what better time to ‘float the goat'?" said Mr Wilkins. "We'll supply a free goat with every Triton sold before August and do our bit to loosen the grip of the recession".

"On the off chance that the purchaser already has enough goats or feels that goat herding is better left to those in drier climes, we'll supply a ‘no goat package' consisting of a five-year/100,000km extended warranty, five free WOF inspections, 5,000km road user charges, five years of roadside assistance and $500 of genuine or approved Triton accessories," Mr Wilkins said.

(Hat Tip to Nick!)

[Mitsibushi]

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<![CDATA[Mitsubishi FQ400 Joins Evolution X Lineup, Galant Feels Ignored]]> Good news for ye olde enthusiasts of 400 HP Evos. Everyone else can suck it, because the Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 is only coming to England while the rest of the Mitsu range remains outdated.

In addition to more power, the FQ400 adds a wider track, lower and firmer Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers as well as all the comfort and convenience-oriented options from the Mitsubishi Evolution X MR. The go faster bits are all well and good, we just wish there was a Mitsubishi model other than the go-fast Lancers that was worth caring about.
Press release below:

FQ-400 – THE FASTEST AND MOST EXTREME LANCER EVOLUTION EVER RELEASED BY MITSUBISHI MOTORS in the UK

* List price from £49,999
* On sale – June 2009
* The most powerful, accelerative Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to date
* Peak power of 403bhp @ 6,500rpm; peak torque of 525Nm @ 3,500rpm
* 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds (est.); top speed 155mph (electronically limited)

The tenth version of Mitsubishi's iconic Lancer Evolution models has a new performance flagship model to top its range, the FQ-400.

Extreme Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 is the fastest and most extreme version of Mitsubishi's motorsport derived machine. With 403bhp and 387lb.ft of torque on offer from its advanced, lightweight aluminium 2.0-litre turbocharged MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) petrol engine the FQ-400 is able to reach 62mph from standstill in an estimated 3.8 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 155mph – where permitted.

Traction and handling
Ensuring all the FQ-400's power is put to good use is Mitsubishi's sophisticated Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system which appropriates power to the wheels that can best use it, giving the FQ-400 quite sensational cross-country performance.

The S-AWC system combines a number of electronic systems that both enhance the FQ-400's performance and safety, with Active Stability Control and Active Centre Differential, Active Yaw Control and Sport ABS giving the FQ-400 incredible cornering ability, traction and grip. Depending on the conditions the driver can select the most suitable set-up for the S-AWC system, three choices – Tarmac, Gravel and Snow – being offered via the wheel-mounted button and displayed in the central instrument binnacle.

Cornering stability
Increasing the FQ-400's cornering ability even further over its FQ relatives is a wider track and lowered suspension featuring Eibach springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers. Lightweight 18-inch, nine spoke alloy wheels fitted with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres enhance the FQ-400's grip, giving it sharper cornering response on the road and more incisive steering. The enhanced agility and performance is backed by a revised braking system which uses aerospace grade aluminium alloys and floating sealed discs grabbed by high performance pads.

Extreme Power
To achieve the incredible 403bhp from just 2.0-litres Mitsubishi has had to significantly revise the FQ-400's advanced powerplant. Motorsport specification high-flow fuel injectors are fitted to the aluminium cylinder head and a new hybrid turbocharger is also fitted. The higher specification turbocharger features low-friction bearings, a high temperature turbine and strengthened thrust bearing to increase response and reduce turbo lag. Feeding the turbocharger cooled air, improving its performance and efficiency, is an enhanced intercooler, while the exhaust's gasses flow from the engine via a 3-inch diameter high flow stainless steel piping and catalytic convertor before exiting through a centrally positioned exhaust.

Mitsubishi has remapped the Engine Control Unit (ECU) extensively with over 500 hours of development time to allow its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to not just produce its exceptional output but to do so with excellent driveability. The FQ-400's acceleration is sensational, it pulling hard through the gears regardless of engine revs. With peak torque of 387lb.ft on offer from just 3,500rpm, the FQ-400 is just as able to trickle through town traffic as it is taking a rally special stage.

A ‘nod' to the Evo VI
The FQ-400 looks every bit the rally refugee too, giving a strong ‘nod' to the styling cues of the legendary Evolution VI, and builds on the already aggressive style of its Lancer Evolution X FQ relatives.

A heavily vented bonnet helps heat escape from the FQ-400's turbocharged engine and a new lightweight composite front bumper incorporating Mitsubishi's trademark ‘Jet Fighter' grille features carbon-fibre elements on its leading edges. Additional lighting and High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights mark out the FQ-400's nose, its added aggressiveness further enhanced by a 30mm drop in front ride height. Composite side skirts, a re-styled rear bumper with a carbon fibre diffuser, a rear wing incorporating a gurney strip and a roof-mounted ‘Vortex Generator' all help manage airflow and cooling.

Behind the 18-inch lightweight, nine spoke alloy wheels it's possible to see the Alcon brakes on the front, while the Toyo Proxes R1R tyres underline the FQ-400's potency with their aggressive ‘cut slick' tread pattern. Inside, the driver is held tightly against the FQ-400's sensational accelerative, braking and cornering forces in Recaro bucket sports seats, the range-topping Lancer Evolution X also gaining an FQ-400 liveried handbrake handle and carbon fibre gearknob.

No compromise
Despite its obvious focus the FQ-400's suspension offers compliance thanks to the Eibach Springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers, the FQ-400's usefulness as a daily driver not compromised overly thanks to Mitsubishi's chassis tuning. The stiff bodywork not only provides an exceptionally rigid platform for the suspension to work, but excellent crash-worthiness, the Lancer Evolution X attaining a five-star score in Euro NCAP's independent crash tests. The FQ-400's S-AWC and its incorporated stability, traction and braking systems helping avoid an accident in the first place. Even so there's reassurance of seven airbags, seat belt pretensioners and ISO Fix child seating all included in its standard specification.

Fully loaded
Standard equipment for the range-topping Lancer Evolution X model is comprehensive, the FQ-400 coming with Bluetooth hands-free telephone connection, a CD-tuner with 30 Gig hard drive, DVD satellite navigation and privacy glass. Convenience features like remote central locking, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers increase the FQ-400's ease of use, the huge performance it offers not coming at the expense of usefulness. Like its Lancer Evolution X relatives it features comfortable seating for five as well as a usefully sized boot, the FQ-400 bringing all the convenience of the standard saloon car it's based upon – but with explosive performance potential.

Setting the standard
Standard it's not though, instead the FQ-400 is a standard setter, with performance that's the measure of any rival and many exotic sports and supercars costing many multiples of its £49,999 list price. Available from June 2009, the FQ-400 is covered by a three year / 36,000 mile warranty.

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