The Lancer is a solid choice offered by Mitsubishi that is offered in several trims.  We have already offered you a glance at what the 2012 Lancer offers.  Currently at our store we have the 2011 Lancer and there is one exciting option we’d like to tell you a little bit about.

Evolution GSR

If you are into owning a high performing sedan, this might be the trim for you. Looking at the exterior alone you can see that it is styled to look the part.  Some of the features include the following:

1. Side Aprons
2. Air intakes that are part of the hood
3. Red Brembo brakes
4. 18 inch sport wheels that highlight the bright hue of the brakes
5. Optional large rear spoiler

When you move to the inside of the car, the Lancer Evolution GSR keeps with the theme that the outside successfully achieves.  Sit down in the driver’s seat, and you might feel like you should be getting ready to race instead of driving to work.  Here are a few interior design features inside this trim:

1. Metal Pedal
2. Recaro seats that are very comfortable and mimic some styles you see in racing/rally type vehicles.
3. Center console controls that allow you to change driving modes, along with the control screen where you can see different auto information.

Other interior features are found inside that you can also find in other trims of the Mitsubishi Lancer, Springfield, IL drivers can test drive now at our store.

Performance/Driving Impressions

Since the Lancer is a smaller sports car, a buyer does not have the option to purchase it with a V6 or V8 engine.  That’s okay, because the Lancer EVO (as it’s often referred to as), still offers a lot of power for its size.  It comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that offers a lot of horsepower.

The Evolution, which is currently available at your Bloomington car dealer for Mitsubishi models and more, is noted for having great acceleration and pick-up.  If you opt for the model with the six-speed shifters, the drive is even better, according to some drivers.

Check out the 2011 Lancer Evolution now at O’Brien Mitsubishi of Normal!

Even though I, for the most part, grew up in the age of technology, it never ceases to amaze me everything we can do thanks to this knowledge.  Constantly new technology comes out that makes me wonder how I ever survived without it.

Thanks to my Smartphone, I am never away from my email account (which admittedly is not extremely new technology, but it is to me).  I can constantly update family and friends of my whereabouts thanks to text messages, blackberry messenger and Facebook.  An automated-voice in my vehicle gives me directions much better than my husband ever could (and she NEVER raises her voice when I make a wrong turn either!).  My personal favorite is the fact that I can deposit checks into my bank account from the comfort of my own bed thanks to the camera on my Smartphone.

Yes life in the age of technology is quite comfortable and thanks to new technology, it’s going to get even more comfortable.  The newest technological breakthrough that will change how the world works is the ability to test drive a vehicle – from your computer!

Mitsubishi is the automaker on the forefront of this technology.  From November 1^st through November 10^th, Mitsubishi ran an online test drive dubbed Mitsubishi Live Drive for the new Outlander Sport model.  Consumers were invited to visit the microsite, outlandersport.com, and test drive the Outlander Sport in the Mojave Desert.

The Live Drive was made possible thanks to Web designer Simon Cave and a robotic engineer James Brighton, both working in collaboration with a production company and an agency.  The production company was B-Reel and the agency was 180 L.A., a division of the Omnicom Group.  This group of people pulled multiple camera-shots from onboard video cameras on a 2011 Outlander Sport.  These various angles were combined with GPS mapping and together allowed users the ability to control the vehicle from computer keyboards.

Last Sunday, after I deposited my paycheck into my bank account from the comfort of my nice warm bed, I hopped online and checked out the 2011 Outlander Sport in the Mojave Desert.  I was so impressed by this vehicle that I quickly got dressed and headed to my local Bloomington car dealer of choice, O’Brien Normal. A few years ago I developed a strong relationship with this Bloomington car dealer when I purchased my first used car.  (Bloomington, IL and its snowy winters was no place for my little convertible).

Anyways, in that used car, Bloomington, IL became my playground as I quickly fell in love with the city (and the car).  Thus, I knew O’Brien Normal would be the best place to take the Outlander Sport for a real-live test drive.

The Mitsubishi iMiEV is still waiting in the wings, however Mitsubishi has made a few adjustments for the iMiEV that will be released in the U.S. The U.S. iMiEV not only looks different on the outside, it is geared toward the demands of U.S. car drivers. Now that Mitsubishi has officially released the specifications of the iMiEV, enthusiasts can aptly compare them. Your Bloomington car dealer is thrilled Mitsubishi has taken the needs of local car buyers into consideration. The iMiEV should be an even more successful electric vehicle thanks to this strategic move by Mitsubishi.

The original iMiEV was geared toward a more European and Asian audience. It was compact and concise with enough seats for four but not really enough room. This car was not very roomy and most of the room was focused in the front and left the back more for cargo rather than people. The U.S. specific iMiEV is wider, higher and longer. This iMiEV is 3,680mm long, 1,585mm wide and 1,615mm high. This is over 200mm longer, over 100mm wider and 5mm higher than the Australian iMiEV. Mitsubishi recognized Americans’ need to transport more people and addressed it appropriately.

The U.S. iMiEV also has a few different specifications when it comes to safety. The U.S. iMiEV has a larger front and rear bumper with a larger chassis. It also features passenger detecting airbags which allow the car to sense when a passenger is in the vehicle and turn the airbag on and off respectively. A used car Bloomington IL dealer reports Active Stability Control and Tire Pressure Monitoring system are also standard in the U.S. iMiEV.

Car drivers in the U.S. have an few extra incentives to make the iMiEV part of their family. The U.S. offers $7,500 in tax credits for drivers who choose the iMiEV. Many states including California also offer extra incentives. Since California offers an additional $5,000 in tax credits iMiEVs may be more prevalent on the West Coast to start. With these great tax credits California drivers may only have to pay $18,000 and states without additional credits should be paying under $23,000.

Mitsubishi has launched a new marketing campaign with the slogan “What Are You Into?” as a means to interact with their customer base on a more intimate level. The “What Are You Into?” campaign interacts with the automaker’s target demographic by making surprise appearances at various events, lending vehicles to bloggers and an exciting City Chase USA event which challenges teams of two across eight cities to work together to complete a scavenger hunt.

Given Mitsubishi’s edgy style and low cost cars, their new marketing campaign is primarily targeting drivers between the ages of 20 – 30 years old. Events held in Chicago, Dallas and Philadelphia allowed attendees to enter raffles for the vehicles that were promoted including the Outlander GT and the Lancer, both of which are available at your Bloomington car dealer.

For those looking for Mitsubishi’s exciting style and affordable price in a new or used car, Bloomington, IL drivers may want to consider the Outlander GT. The five-door crossover has an athletic appeal with its wider stance and bold front bumper. The Outlander GT has more aggressive handling and is powered by a V6 engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and delivers 230 horsepower. With power, performance and style, this crossover is sure to please any driver and is available at your Bloomington car dealer for just $30,015.

Mitsubishi also promoted the Lancer to generate consumer interest which is not hard to do with the sedan’s sporty style and super affordable price tag. The car’s exciting design features a rear spoiler and ‘jet fighter’ grille and has the power to complement its robust style. Powered by a 2.4-liter engine and paired with a five-speed manual transmission, the Lancer is capable of delivering an impressive 168 horsepower.

In addition to generating consumer interest, the “What Are You Into?” campaign is intended to help Mitsubishi reach their goal of selling 200,000 units a year. By interacting with potential customers on a one-on-one basis and extending the campaign to the internet at http://www.whatareyouinto.net/, Mitsubishi has been able to make themselves better known. With the campaign efforts and vehicles like the Outlander and the Lancer, Mitsubishi is sure to generate interest.

Mitsubishi experienced an increase in sales during the second quarter of this year. This exciting development is a great stride for the automaker with a 1.8 percent increase in April to June of 2010. The trend should continue with Mitsubishi having such a great momentum going into the high selling summer months. Recently, more and more car drivers in Bloomington IL buy used cars from Mitsubishi dealerships with great confidence in this brand.

During these still difficult economic times Mitsubishi should be extremely proud of their increased sales. Many popular Mitsubishi models are doing very well on the market. This June, both the Lancer and the Lancer Sportback performed up to par if not better. The Lancer is up 16.7 percent when compared to last June and the Lancer Sportback had its third best month since it debuted on the market last summer. Other models performing better than last summer include the Spyder and the Galant, doing 45% and 53% better in sales respectively.

Mitsubishi is planning to keep the momentum going through the rest of the year with the release of the 2011 Outlander Sport CUV. The 2011 Outlander Sport CUV has an aggressive, sporty exterior. The front end resembles the Mitsubishi Lancer, drawing the performance loving drivers into a bigger vehicle. The 2011 Outlander Sport CUV appears to be the perfect transition for Mitsubishi sport car drivers who need to upgrade to a vehicle with more room. Bloomington car dealers agree the Outlander Sport CUV will add to the increase in sales.

The Outlander Sport CUV will not disappoint Mitsubishi fans when it comes to what is under the hood. The Outlander Sport CUV is powered by a 2.0 liter MIVEC inline-four engine. The standard five speed manual transmission vehicle is capable of reaching 148 horsepower and 143 lb-ft of torque. The Outlander Sport CUV is estimated to have good fuel efficiency and decently priced, starting around $20,000. This sporty, smaller SUV is sure to add another popular vehicle to the Mitsubishi line.

Mitsubishi is demonstrating the versatility and capability of their vehicles through this increase in sales. This dependable automaker is experiencing great success and will continue to do so through the release of the new 2011 Outlander Sport CUV. Visit your local Bloomington car dealer for more information on Mitsubishi automobiles.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is jumping on the eco-bandwagon with the debut of the i-MiEV, their environmentally friendly, battery operated vehicle. The highway-capable vehicle has already achieved success over seas, but Bloomington car dealers will likely have to wait until 2015, when the vehicle is estimated to hit U.S. markets, to share such success. With the sustainable mobility trend at an all time high, Mitsubishi couldn’t have chosen a better time to make history with the first mass-produced, all electric vehicle.

The prevalence of electric vehicles, however, is nothing new to the U.S. market. Numerous other automakers have produced vehicles fueled by renewable energy, but the electrification of American highways has yet to be accomplished. So it seems logical to wonder, how does Mitsubishi plan to electrify American highways if it hasn’t already been done?

Much like other electric vehicles, the i-MiEV’s electric motor and compact lithium ion batteries power the vehicle, but it is the vehicle’s quick charging system that distinguishes it from the competition. Such progressive technology, which was recognized at the 2009 Tokyo International Motor Show with the “Most Advanced Technology” award, allows the battery to reach 80% capacity in 30 minutes.

Currently, drivers in Japan can stop at one of approximately 180 charging stations to recharge their car. When the i-MiEV comes to the U.S., drivers will have the option to stop at one of an estimated 150 – 250 charging stations that will be built, although Normal IL used Galant dealers believe that drivers will most frequently take advantage of a convenient at-home charging station or a portable battery charger.

Limited drive range is perhaps the biggest drawback to other manufacturer’s electric vehicles and is ultimately what has prevented these cars from already electrifying American highways. However, with the i-MiEV’s extended drive range due to its quick recharging time and speeds that can reach 80 miles per hour, it’s fair to say that Mitsubishi’s plan to electrify American highways is not only feasible, but inevitable.

A recent test drive in Northern California revealed a flawless drive performance, impressive stability and a surprisingly spacious interior that complement the i-MiEV’s prolonged drive range and eco-friendly appeal. The vehicle’s sustainable, all-electric performance not only eliminates the pollution that non-electric vehicles emit, but also saves money at the gas pump. The i-MiEV’s highway capabilities make the vehicle a practical, proficient alternative to other electric and non-electric vehicles.

It’s not often customers experience the best of both worlds. In fact, when manufacturers even attempt this feat, it frequently ends in disaster. However, Mitsubishi appears to have perfected the balance with the 2010 Lancer Sportback.

Don’t believe it? Well, the car is available to test drive at any Bloomington car dealer. After one cruise around town, you’ll agree it’s the perfect blend between sporty styling and the versatile functionality of a hatchback.

The 2010 Sportback bears little resemblance in either feature or function to the 2004 Sportback, which was essentially a wagon version of the year’s Lancer model. Instead, the 2010 version cultivates a unique look among hatchbacks: its hatch is raked forward, and it sports a standard rear-window spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels. Each addition contributes to the Sportback’s updated, sporty appearance.

Customers at a Bloomington car dealer realize recreating the true sports-car experience involves more than simply tightening a car’s suspension. Therefore, to ensure the Sportback embodied the first half of its title, Mitsubishi focused on fine-tuning the overall ride comfort to guarantee an entertaining, enjoyable driving experience. The Sportback’s suspension is perfectly balanced, and the steering responds quickly and effortlessly. Both pedals are responsive, matching the car’s overall perfect calibration. Even the brake pedal’s distance was increased to allow the driver greater control.

In addition, the Sportback provides a powerful helping underneath the hood. It boasts a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which should satisfy most drivers. However, for those craving more power, Mitsubishi offers a Ralliart edition that’s equipped with a 237-horsepower, turbocharged engine.

According to the EPA, the estimated gas mileage is 20/27 miles per gallon city/highway for manual transmission. For automatic, the numbers shift slightly to 21/27 miles per gallon for city/highway.

The Sportback is affordable, too. In Bloomington IL., new car prices are kept competitive. The vehicle retails between $19,190 and $27,590. With a starting price like that, Mitsubishi is hoping everyone might experience this car’s unique merging of sporty styling and functionality. Thus, never again will consumers struggle between these two considerations.

Mitsubishi has recently unleashed a new CUV, an all-new ASX crossover, at the 2010 New York Auto Show earlier this year. The newest addition to their Outlander family lineup has already been introduced to other parts of the world, and now the car company feels it is ready for the United States. The only problem is, it needs a name.

Officials at Mitsubishi have been calling it the “Outlander Sport,” however this name is not official. Interestingly enough, Mitsubishi is leaving it up for the public to decide what the new model should be called, by announcing a naming contest for those who are confident – and creative – enough to submit their ideas. While some people may feel “Outlander Sport” is good enough, spectators will have to wait and see what contestants come up with, and if Mitsubishi chooses a suitable name for the crossover utility vehicle. Those interested can find details at the Bloomington car dealer, or also test drive or purchase a used car in Bloomington, IL.

Anyone interested in entering the contest may need to know that Mitsubishi has designed the new model with a stunning style and a rigid, lightweight body. Furthermore, the smart-sized sleek-looking crossover combines fuel efficiency with top-of-the-notch performance. The manufacturers at Mitsubishi have enabled the new model with an estimated fuel economy in the 31 mpg range, using regenerative braking and enhanced class-leading aerodynamics. Some other premium features include Active Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Electric Power Steering, a comprehensive seven-airbag safety system, and a high-contrast LCD instrument display.

On top of all this, shoppers in the U.S. will have two trims to choose from: an ES version with standard 5-speed manual transmission or the premium SE version with standard 6-speed CVT transmission and magnesium-alloy paddle shifters, not to mention an electronically controlled All-Wheel Control system. Interested consumers should visit the Bloomington car dealer to test drive this impressive model, as it is expected to hit dealership lots – with a name – by the end of this year. Owners of a used car in Bloomington, IL may be interested to find out that both versions of this new Mitsubishi CUV come standard with 148 horsepower, MIVEC-equipped 2.0L four-cylinder engine, and has 145 pound-feet of torque. Hopefully Mitsubishi picks a name soon, as many of us are surely eager to  observe the new model for ourselves as soon as possible.

During times of economic distress, we all must cut back. Even large, recognizable companies, whose products and brand are instantly known, are cutting costs and streamlining their workflow. For Mitsubishi, the industry-wide cutbacks resulted in the closing of tuner Ralliart, which was closely associated with the automaker.

Fortunately for customers at the Mitsubishi Bloomington car dealer, according to the automaker’s spokesperson Maurice Durand, the close won’t affect Ralliart-branded Mitsubishi models sold in the United States.

The reason is because the closure applies only to the Ralliart subsidiary in Japan, which produces high-performance parts for street and race cars. Therefore, only manufacturers that import official Ralliart Japan products will be affected. In most markets, the Ralliart parts are merely rebranded components produced by another tuner.

Thus, for a Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer, the closing will signal no drastic changes, especially since the parts used on official Ralliart models sold in the U.S. are developed separately.

However, according to Durand, Ralliart vehicles might still have a future as Mitsubishi might continue producing them. For hardcore tuners, the closure of Ralliart might be considered a loss. Yet, in the current economic climate, people have drastically altered their car-purchasing habits. The demand for high-performance parts has declined, a reality confirmed by employees at a Bloomington car dealer.

The specific services and processes scheduled to cease due to the closing include the company’s support to motorsport customers (Technical Support and Mitsubishi/Ralliart Driver of the Year award); new planning, development, and merchandizing of Ralliart products; and dispatching of new product and motorsport information over the internet.

The only Ralliart products continuing production are the FIA VO parts with Mitsubishi also taking on all those remaining in development. Information concerning FIA Group-N will also now reside on the Mitsubishi website.

When the dust clears, the majority of customers at the Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer wont be affected by the change. Without a doubt, Mitsubishi will mourn the loss of this long-standing partnership. However, its dedication to customers remains strong, and the automaker will keep producing the official Ralliart models in the U.S. to meet ongoing demand.

The new Mitsubishi’s ASX has pulled down three-and-a-half times the hoped-for monthly sales in the first four weeks on the market in Japan, but is it enough for worldwide success? We’ll soon find out when the model makes its way to the US.

Tax breaks, plus the ASX’s manageable size and just-right equipment level are universal ways to connect with buyers anywhere, and was what probably contributed to its initial success. The ASX represents the brand’s move towards on-road crossovers, a move inspired by research showing that buyers of its Outlander big brother cross-shopped D-segment sedans rather than midsized SUV/CUVs. North American buyers will get the ASX badged as the Outlander Sport. It’s not yet clear what the trim levels are going to be for the U.S. market, other than the understanding that Mitsubishi’s 2.0 liter MIVEC engine will be standard equipment. Stay tuned as the vehicle makes its way to your Bloomington car dealer.

The unveiling of this smart-looking ASX crossover at the New York auto show is one of Mitsubishi’s ways to celebrate its 140th birthday this year. The ASX is the production version of the CX concept debuted in Frankfurt a couple of years ago, and it’ll reach British roads this summer with the express intention of muscling in on Nissan Qashqai territory. The car seats five and is available in both front- and four-wheel drive. There’s also plenty of green tech on board. There’s a new 148bhp 1.8-litre diesel, which gets stop-start and brake regeneration technology as standard and – in front-wheel drive form – returns 145g/km of CO2. The 1.6-litre petrol manages 135g/km. See your Bloomington car dealer for more.

And while you’re waiting for the ASX to reach your town, check out the Bloomington IL used cars selection at your local dealer. Take a look at featured vehicles like the i MiEV, 2010 Endeavor, 2010 Galant, 2011 Lancer, 2010 Eclipse Spyder, Honda CR-V, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Fusion, GMC Sierra, and more. And now at your Bloomington car dealer get 23% off a new Mitsubishi during the month of April for their 23rd Anniversary sale. Come on down and test-drive a vehicle today!