The Rochester DSM One Lap of America Mitsubishi Evo X nuked a piston on a track day in the most mind-melting carnage we’ve seen in awhile.

4B11 Piston Melted

Thankfully it is at Magnus getting reworked for the 2012 One Lap of America which starts May 4, 2012.

Shah Alam / Tokyo, September 15, 2011

Proton and Mitsubishi Motors to Pursue Broad Ranging Strategic Collaboration

Shah Alam / Tokyo, 15 September, 2011 – PROTON Holdings Berhad (PROTON) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that they are in serious discussion for strategic collaboration to further strengthen the competitiveness of both PROTON and MMC in the global marketplace.
 
The collaborative items being considered between the two parties are set to cover areas and activities such as:
 
Joint production of engines in Malaysia
Consignment production of MMC-brand vehicles at PROTON facilities
Sharing of major parts and components between MMC’s “Global Small”, which is to be launched next March starting in Thailand, and PROTON’s upcoming “Global Small Car”
Provision of MMC’s future technologies such as electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicle technology
 
The two companies had jointly proceeded with feasibility studies since late 2010 and have identified these areas of collaboration that could be expected to provide both parties with the right synergy in the pursuit of global competitiveness.
 
Cooperation between PROTON and MMC, ever since PROTON’s inception as the country’s first car manufacturer and driver of the national automotive industry development has proven to be a long lasting business affiliation. The two companies had signed an agreement in December 2008 on the development and production of new vehicles at PROTON. Under a license agreement, PROTON currently produces ‘Inspira’, a four-door sedan model based on an MMC vehicle.
 
The latest discussion between the companies aims to provide yet another win-win relationship where MMC will be able to expand its presence in the ASEAN market while PROTON will be able to also expand its line-up and make effective use of its production facilities. A new strategic collaboration, supported by the growth of both companies since their first collaboration 26 years ago, is certainly a natural progression for both parties in taking their business relationship to a much more significant and impactful level in view of the ever competitive automotive landscape.

Mitsubishi keeps upping the ante on their marketing material but like most marketing efforts it may be high on drama, hype and technology it doesn’t necessarily translate into excitement about their performance. Sorry Mitsubishi, we miss you in motorsport. WRC > Road of Death.

Nevertheless, almost 200 people die on this stretch of wide trail from La Paz to Coroico, Bolivia every year. Mitsubishi documented their run with a 360 degree spherical camera that you can play with on their website.

Very cool but I have to compare it to Top Gear’s Bolivia run and I’m left wanting more… like James with a machete.

You’ve probably heard by now some conflicting reports about the future of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Does Mitsubishi hopes to jump back into the world market as a leader of eco-friendly electric and fuel-efficient automobiles by eschewing the Evo?

There was a day when, by American and Australian standards, a four-cylinder WAS eco-friendly and fuel-efficient. And surprise to those uninformed displacement jockeys: the little 4G63, for example, was turbocharged.

The 4B11 was born out of a global design with the collaboration of significant partners, based on a deep history of efficent power-to-displacement four cylinders proven in the WRC and Dakar rallies.

With Mitsubishi canning Ralliart and giving up on the WRC and Dakar it seems as though that history isn’t as valuable to the rest of the automotive market. They want cheap and efficient. Maybe throw in a iPod dock too.

Now Mitsubishi is going in a “different direction” on the Evo, possibly as an electric, maybe not as a Lancer (i-MiEV Evo anyone?). Mitsubishi stated that “market feedback will dictate its engineering package and architecture” and we know that after 7 generations without an Evo in the United States that the enthusiasts voice is muted.

The current generation Evolution X will continue to be sold through 2013

“MMC has kept the Lancer Evolution sedan evolving as the brand’s highest performing model in the global market,” Mitsubishi said. “However, as the market’s needs and demands change, MMC is considering not advancing the Lancer Evolution concept in the same way as before, but to find a different direction for the Lancer Evolution model to evolve. The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course.”

Proton Concept Jebat

Proton has unveiled the Jebat concept car to the home crowd in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this weekend. We’ve seen the cosmetic touches they’ve added to their Inspira model, a fairly straightforward facelift on the Mitsubishi Lancer. Proton has an agreement with Mitsubishi.

This monster for Malaysia sports a proper 4B11T but is only tuned up to about 237 bhp. The Jebat wears wide bodywork, enlarged wheel arches, diminished rear wing and a rather weak panda gloss white and matte black paint job. The inside is appointed with Recaro seeting and a Clarion AV system.

The Proton Jebat Concept car, Panda-esque matte black tail

Meh.