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View Full Version : Mitsubishi may offer supercharged 380.



van
27-10-06, 10:53 AM
Autoblog link (http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/26/mitsubishi-may-build-supercharged-galant-for-aussies/).

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/10/061026b0550hr_450.jpg


The Mitsubishi 380 sold in Australia is basically a version of the Galant sedan sold in North America with a few minor styling tweaks. The car's share the same 3.8-liter MIVEC V6 from which the Australian version gets its name, which is why we're so jealous of the Australian market after seeing this 380 TMR concept being shown off at the Sydney Motor Show. The 380 TMR features a supercharged version of the MIVEC 3.8-liter V6 that produces 308 horsepower and 326 ft-lbs. of torque, which are scary numbers indeed for a front-wheel drive sedan, but assuredly entertaining, as well. Aside from the hopped-up engine, the TMR, which stands for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, includes six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes developed by Ralliart, a ride height lowered 50mm on adjustable Koni shocks, and 19-inch wheels bound with Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber. Styling is amped up with a new hood that sports twin scoops and aggressive body kit, while Recaro seats and a Fujitsu sound system are new additions to the interior.

Mitsubishi is seriously considering offering the TMR 380 to its Australian customers in one form or another, either as a two-tier model range with a lower-spec example sporting all the visuals and a top end version that adds the supercharged motor. The automaker might also make the components used to build the TMR 380 available as individual accessories. The business case seems solid, as Mitsubishi has already received orders for the car after it was seen on the internet.

Knowing that the 3.8-liter V6 powering the 380 is available in the U.S.-spec Galant, we're groaning out loud that this supercharged version wasn't offered in the Galant Ralliart. The Galant Ralliart sold here has a normally aspirated 258-horsepower version of the same engine that routs power through a 5-speed automatic. While 258-horsepower is nothing to scoff at, scoff we shall since more powerful motors are offered by the Galant's competition in models that are bereft of much sporting intent. The Toyota Camry's 3.5-liter V6, for instance, produces 268 horsepower, and it doesn't have a TRD badge on the back. It seems Australians have even more power lust than us in North America, and Mitsubishi is happy to feed their need.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

gimic
27-10-06, 07:15 PM
would be great i think, but who else here agrees van is addicted to autoblog
*raises hands* :P

lovesil
27-10-06, 09:23 PM
I just hope they have those ladies in the Mitsubishi Stand in the Motor Show :D

van
27-10-06, 10:41 PM
would be great i think, but who else here agrees van is addicted to autoblog
*raises hands* :P

'Ey man, they keep bringin' the goods! :D

Lovesil: Be a real man and get your photo taken with them ;)

VTECMACHINE
27-10-06, 11:41 PM
I just hope they have those ladies in the Mitsubishi Stand in the Motor Show :D

SNAP!

lovesil
28-10-06, 10:07 AM
Lovesil: Be a real man and get your photo taken with them ;)

i will try, i will try :D

Sp33dY
28-10-06, 01:18 PM
Id by the 380 SC over the TRD Aurion SC hands down.

van
28-10-06, 01:20 PM
Not that I'm disagreeing, but whyso?

Sp33dY
28-10-06, 01:24 PM
Not that I'm disagreeing, but whyso?

Cheaper ...... Mitsubishi ARE/HAVE lifted their game in Australia .. it's just a shame that their rep was tarnished so badly with CE lancers. I reckon locally sold Toyotas are STILL boring cars, no matter how much power, and makeup they put on the outiside of them. If u want a funner car, id be buying the Mitsu ... if u want a more 'sensible' car u dont wanna mod ... id stick with the toyomota.

At the end of the say, The Aurion is still just a camry with different front and rear ends. The 380 is a damn good car, but most people wont look twice at them.

van
28-10-06, 01:36 PM
In regards to your last para, the 380 is just a US market Galant with slight aesthetic changes, so I'm not sure if you were saying that the 380 is a whole new car or something like that.

As for saying "The Aurion is just a Camry (etc.)", what's wrong with that? Was the Camry known for being poor quality or something? I'm no Toyota buff (outside of Supras), so I have little knowledge on that myself. The 380 above is "just a 380", or in a more global sense; "just a galant".

All I know of Mitsubishi (Aus), by comparison, is that they almost went under thanks to the poor business model and design of the last Magna facelift.

On the other side of the coin, the Camry is the best selling car in the US. The only thing holding it back here was the standard 4cyl engine being subpar for the Aussie market (ignoring, for the moment, the 6cyl version), and the fact that it's a FWD family car in a market that - unlike America - has yet to embrace FWD.

So you've got the 380, and the Camry. Neither of which are blowing the Australian market away, however both of which are perfectly good cars in their own right. I'm not saying you can't prefer one over the other, but I'm not convinced your argument there is a good one. The Aurion concept unveiled at Sydney is an amazing looking car, and while it's up to the individual at the end of the day, I certainly can't see how the SCed 380 in this thread is any nicer to look at.

I definitely wouldn't call the Aurion at the AIMS a "sensible car".

Sp33dY
28-10-06, 01:37 PM
Hehe... well said Van :P U should work for MOTOR.

van
28-10-06, 01:43 PM
Haha, I wish!

lovesil
28-10-06, 06:20 PM
Lovesil: Be a real man and get your photo taken with them ;)

i will try, i will try :D

i'm back and i have done it

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/lovesil/Motor%20Show%2006/ryanandhotgirls.jpg

sorry for the blur pic. My gf must be not very happy when i get her to take this pic for me :D

van
28-10-06, 06:32 PM
Ahahahaha!! Good man :D :D

lovesil
28-10-06, 06:38 PM
One pics for the 380 SC fans.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/lovesil/Motor%20Show%2006/380.jpg

Personally, i also prefer the 380 SC over the Aurion. Just pure preference after looking at both at the motorshow

Sp33dY
28-10-06, 08:16 PM
ANy more pics of the 380 SC would be appreciated :)