Our 2015 Outlander Sports are lined up and ready to go in North Huntingdon

Our new car lot at Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi in North Huntingdon is ready to go with recently added 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sports. So we wanted to take a moment to formally introduce this compact SUV to the people of Pittsburgh and Western PA.

If you’re looking for a compact SUV that is easy on the eyes, wallet, and gas budget, but you don’t want to drive some ho-hum crossover, then check out the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Available all-wheel drive makes it a great year-round companion, as does the impressive 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

Some reviewers have called the 2015 Outlander Sport Mitsubishi’s answer to such cute-utes as the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman. Mitsubishi forgoes turbocharged engines and high-priced add-ons, relying instead on a bold exterior design, nimble handling, a fuel-efficient engine, and pricing that makes the Outlander Sport one of the most affordable compact SUVs around. The Outlander Sport is as easy to maneuver around town as it is on twisting back roads, and it offers a number of technology upgrades and options younger buyers covet without pushing the bottom line out of their reach.

New for 2015, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport gains an improved continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and more sound insulation for a quieter cabin. SE trims gain LED running lights, piano black trim, and repositioned seat heater switches.

For 2015, the Outlander Sport’s interior remains easy on the eyes and easy to use. Front seats are reasonably comfortable, while the rear is snug for three adults but just fine for two. Behind the rear seat the cargo capacity is not great, at just over 20 cubic feet, but fold down the rear seats and the capacity more than doubles. There is leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, and leather seating is available with the SE Touring Package as an option. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport’s interior doesn’t claim to be luxurious, but it is useful and comfortable.

In terms of the exterior, up front, the nose is remindful of Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution performance line, while along the sides are deep creases and sculpturing that bring a lot of interest and neatly tie into the door handles. Big wheels and tires fill up the wheel wells, and the rear end is nicely tied off with wraparound taillights and a spoiler over the rear window. An optionally-available roof rack can be used to carry larger items that won’t fit inside.

Check out 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport inventory here, or come by to our convenient Route 30 location in North Huntingdon to check out our inventory in person!

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid: Van Model For Europe, But Still A Year Away For U.S.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a top seller at Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi in North Huntingdon, as the crossover SUV offers all the safety features, cargo space, and style drivers want in a road warrior. Fortunately, this makes the wait for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the plug-in hybrid, to unveil in the US much easier.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, available in Europe

And while the plug-in hybrid version has already been on sale in Europe for a few months now, Mitsubishi is already adding another variant to the range—a van, the Outlander PHEV ‘4work’. Though not in a traditional purpose-built goods hauler, it directly targets business users.

For its design, Mitsubishi has removed the rear seats, put blanking panels over the rear windows, and covered the rear load space in a tough rubber coating. Further, it’s relaxing to drive, has a punchy drivetrain, and comes with the same benefits as the car on which it’s based–alloy wheels, cruise control, and electronic all-wheel drive for bad weather.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, available in Europe

Unfortunately for us, getting our hands on a Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in of any sort—let alone a van—is still some time away. Good thing, we still have the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Why the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Could Be the Most Difficult Car to Get Your Hands On in 2015

Some things come and some things go. And the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart seems to be one of those things that will go. Mitsubishi recently announced the Lancer Ralliart production starts next month and will end in December 2014. That’s a very short window of only 4 months, and production numbers of the performance model will be very limited—forcing interested parties to act quick when the time comes.

Additionally, the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart comes with seven new standard features both inside and out for the new model year but, as we mentioned before, they won’t be around long. It also comes with new pricing that bumps the cost up $1,100 over the outgoing model. Mitsubishi will keep the cost under the $30,000 mark and prices the 2015 Ralliart at $29,495 without destination/handling.

A Look Back at Our Transformation from Suzuki to Mitsubishi

As you probably know, our Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi store used to be Jim Shorkey Suzuki. However, Suzuki stopped selling their cars here in the US, so we improvised and became the dealership that we are today.

We sold our new Suzuki stock months and months ago, and have been replacing all of the signs around the dealership from “Suzuki” to “Mitsubishi” ever since. Take a look at this transition in a few snapshots!

Our old Suzuki sign

Our new Mitsubishi sign ready to be assembled

New Mitsubishi sign

New sign over our Mitsubishi service bay

New exterior signs

New exterior signs

New exterior signs

Mitsubishi To Team Up with Nissan for Electric Car Overseas

Electric cars are still a relative newcomer to the US. When they made their mainstream debut, the cheapest electric vehicle on the market was the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Much has changed since then, including partnerships. Now, four years later, Mitsubishi and Nissan are teaming up to build an EV that costs half that amount before any tax rebates, according to widespread reports the past couple of weeks.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi’s electric car

This collaborative minicar-based EV will be aimed specifically at the Japanese market, where this type of vehicle could prove especially popular in major metro areas like Tokyo, where parking comes at a premium and gas costs can be exceptionally high. Nissan and Mitsubishi are also working together on a national EV charging network meant to expand public charging offerings all across the island nation.

But the big draw would be a the super-low price, as after Japan’s generous EV incentives of about $7,200, this new micro EV would cost buyers less than 1.78 million yen, or about $8,000. People have spent less on countertops for their kitchen makeovers, but to have a vehicle that allows you to eliminate or reduce your gas costs to almost nothing?

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi’s electric car

Let’s hope this is more than just rumor and hearsay. Would you drive an Mitsubishi/Nissan electric car with that price tag?

Mitsubishi Lancer: Sporty AND Safe

The Lancer is one of Mitsubishi’s most popular vehicles. Traditionally, it’s thought of as a sporty, compact vehicle, but this perception is about to change.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently named this affordably priced and fun-to-drive vehicle an official IIHS “Top Safety Pick” for both the 2014 and 2015 models.

The Lancer joins the ranks of Mitsubishi’s outstanding crossover/SUV offerings in the stylish 5-passenger Outlander Sport and the 7-passenger Outlander as Mitsubishi vehicles rated as a “Top Safety Pick” or higher.

The exceptionally well-engineered Lancer—thanks in part to Mitsubishi Motor’s patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body/chassis safety cell construction system—made the grade by passing a very stringent crash test.

In a press release, Don Swearingen, Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Motors North America said, “It’s truly gratifying to see our very popular Mitsubishi Lancer once again named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Lancer is a very versatile compact sports sedan that has it all—exceptional safety, excellent fuel economy, sporty performance, and plentiful standard features—and at a price to fit almost any budget.”

Check out a Mitsubishi Lancer AWD from our YouTube channel:

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander on your Back-to-School Shopping List?

It’s August, which can only mean one thing—back to school! Your kids’ back-to-school checklists are almost completed…notebooks, pens, and pencils. But you forgot one thing: the Mitsubishi Outlander! Okay, maybe that’s not on your checklist, but your kids will enjoy it when they arrive at school the first day in style!

The Outlander is equipped with standard 3rd-row seating, making it a 7-passenger vehicle capable of carpooling. For improved comfort and ergonomics, the entire seating areas has been completely reconfigured, paying particular attention to making the fold-flat seats easier to operate and allowing up to 128.6 cubic feet of passenger room. The 60/40 rear split row seats and the 50/50 split 3rd row seat, combined with the power remote tailgate, makes storing sports equipment easy!

Your kids are equipped with new accessories—shoes, clothes, and backpacks—and your car should be too! The Outlander is accessorized with a dazzling 6.1-inch touchscreen display for a modern streamline look and added functionality. Located between the tachometer and speedometer, the Outlander’s color LCD multi-information display serves up a wide range of information, such as outside temperature, fuel level, average fuel consumption, trip details, and more!

The available next-generation navigation system features a 7-inch HD touchscreen, all-new 3D mapping, road speed limits, expanded Points of Interest (POI), and Mapcare (TM) and includes two map updates. Don’t know where the away game is? No problem! Quickly look up destinations and get detailed driving directions. Trying to avoid bus traffic? Real-time traffic data is simply a click away! Is it your day to carpool? The built-in Diamond Lane Guidance system can find the fastest routes using carpool lanes.

You can be sure the kids arrive at school safely in all weather conditions. Of all the technology in the Outlander, none are more important than the all-new advanced safety features. The available Lane Departure Warning (LDW)4 system uses an on-board camera to monitor lane position in front of the vehicle, alerting the driver if it detects the vehicle is leaving its lane. Additionally, the available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)5 system uses 77GHz radar technology to accurately judge distances between you and the vehicle ahead, helping you maintain a safe driving distance. And by alerting the driver of oncoming obstructions, the available Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM)6 system can help you avoid accidents – and even automatically apply the brakes, if necessary. Its the perfect vehicle for any rainy or snowy day!

Check off the last item on your list and stop by our Mitsubishi location to test drive the Outlander today!