Dissapointing Go Auto article

[bas]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor. ... 9F0080E3D2

[ObsidianRadio]

I wouldn't call it a disappointment, it just means our FTOs are very limited!

[Taz]

Well that and the fact that its actually quite a good article?
All they state is that they will not co-develop a sports car with anyone else, but rather if they do decide to do one, it will be in house.

[ObsidianRadio]

Well that and the fact that its actually quite a good article?
All they state is that they will not co-develop a sports car with anyone else, but rather if they do decide to do one, it will be in house.

Mitsubishi just want to take pride an receive full credit for the production of what I'm convinced would be a truly spectacular vehicle!

[bas]

I thought the flavour of the article was negative in that they mentioned a lot about business case and 2door coupe never makes a great business case.

[Taz]

thats always been the case since the turn of the millenium though.
Theyre just being reserved in what they say i reckon, they have to compete with the BRZ/86 now that theyve seen the explosive sales - surely

I just wish they remake the FTO (or if they dont its going to be similar anyway)

[bas]

I imagine that our FTO was not making enough sales to continue for longer than it did.

I also imagine that they would have to be thinking of a V6 engine again to differentiate it from lancer and mirage.

[Taz]

personally, i hope it has a 4B11 in it (lancer NA and EVO X engine)
Will make tuning and evo swaps easy - also hope its RWD as well.
We will soon see

[bas]

As cool as it would be to have Rwd i think mitsubishi has a tendency of making front wheel drive or all wheel drive configurations.

I recon that if sales had been high enough for our FTO they might have made a AWD version but obviously the business case didnt fit.

[Taz]

As cool as it would be to have Rwd i think mitsubishi has a tendency of making front wheel drive or all wheel drive configurations.

I recon that if sales had been high enough for our FTO they might have made a AWD version but obviously the business case didnt fit.

I dont think they would have, another axle means more weight, and would take away from the handling it already has. Its purpose is what it is, a lightweight small sports car with excellent handling over power - so theres no real reason for an awd if it still was a NA 2L - thats what they had the GTO for as well

[bas]

Yes good point about the GTO but im saying that with some serious sales numbers this might have been the path they went down. Because that would have been the lever that mitsubishi had in their pocket.

I still hope the go ahead for this future FTO

[aza013]

Don't forget that the FTO was only sold in Japan from Mitsubishi.
If they took it world wide then it may have gone bigger.
I would like to see the FTO done again but in turbo rwd or partner with the evo's.

[bass_twitch]

I would like to see the FTO done again but in turbo rwd or partner with the evo's.

Agreed,
As long as it isn't bulky and ugly..

[bjk]

I'd be keen. Then I might be able to buy it when it's semi-new!

I know it's been covered in another thread, but if they made a new one, something like the new Jaguar F Type would be cool.

[Astron_Boy]

Don't forget that the FTO was only sold in Japan from Mitsubishi.
If they took it world wide then it may have gone bigger.

^ This.

The FTO was never aimed at being sold anywhere else except Japan, so they can't base those figures alone.
And because production numbers were not set at a global rate with sales to accommodate, they can't say whether it's profitable enough.

The only 2 door coupes ever manufactured for a world release on Mitsus side was the Scorpion with 2.6L Astron in it, and the Starion.
I would not be calling a mirage (colt) a sports coupe.
Despite the factor of the 1.6 MIVEC, again, never set for world release. Plus that's more a hot hatch by todays standards.

The news article is indifferent of suggesting anything except that Mitsu would rather not go joint venture.

[Shhtuart]

Agreed with above, the FTO was JDM only so Mitsi wouldn't have had a realisitc figure for what global sales it could have achieved.

Only successful if RWD, but that sort of takes away from the FTO image, FWD and nimble.

[aza013]

It will still be a nimble car if RWD, but you can have more fun with it .
It would also look good close to the above pic but would still be a great looking car if made to look the same as our FTO's as they stand.

[Astron_Boy]

Just like Mitsus of the past, they've never really retained names.
ASX/ RVR, despite the Japan naming.
Colt, Mirage, Lancer, country dependent.
Scorpion, Sigma, Magna, Sapporo, country dependent
Magna, Galant, 380, Diamante, Country dependent.

So any relation to the FTO would simply be by perception.

What really is the FT86 anyway?
A flash back to the AE86 with Supra style and Lexus design....


If Mitsu did a sports coupe, it would merely be a 'new car', and I reckon they'd be following suit with Honda in going Hybrid.
CR-Z anyone?

[SchumieFan]

even a lightweight FWD with a 4B12 would go like snot... the donk in my beast has more than enough go... couple the technology with the motor into an FTO shell you'd have a damn fun car!

but yes, i thought the article was positive, though i doubt they'll ever build one

[Daniel2019]

Doesnt matter... Im not gonna be able to afford it!