Mitsubishi is throwing down their SUV gauntlets and doubling-down on hard-core off-roaders, according to reports from the UK.

Apparently, the next Mitsubishi Pajero (aka Montero in North America, Shogun in the UK) will continue to revel in its true body-on-frame construction as the company positions itself as a company with SUVs as one of its core foci. This determination comes from Lance Bradley, head of Mitsubishi Motors UK, speaking recently to Autocar.

Mitsubishi believes that true body-on-frame SUVs are a dying breed and that there is an opening for the company which has won the backbreaking Dakar Rally 12 times with previous iterations of the Pajero. In fact, the company intends to position the new Pajero as an affordable but equally capable alternative to the Land Rover Discovery.

Bradley also fired a shot across the bows of other automakers — most of whom have shifted from SUVs to car-based crossovers while keeping the former’s rugged names — saying, “A lot of the rivals are more beautiful or more refined but the Shogun needs to be an authentic off-roader: not fancy, not a school-run car but for people who tow horse boxes or actually go off-road.” Currently in the US,

Furthermore, Mitsubishi believes that the Pajero will have another edge with its plug-in hybrid technology, as previewed by the GC-PHEV Concept shown in Tokyo and Chicago. With the next Evo said to be taking the form an SUV, it appears Mitsubishi is gunning for the electric and off-roading segments. The new Pajero is due out in 2017.

Live images by Ben Hsu.

Subaru is introducing its second-ever hybrid model. Following in the footsteps of the XV CrossTrek, the new addition is called the Impreza Sport Hybrid.

Subaru has yet to release any specifications about the model, but it’s probably safe to assume that the drivetrain will be shared with the XV Crosstrek Hybrid crossover, as both are based on the same chassis.

That system mates Subaru’s ubiquitous 2.0L boxer motor with a small 13.4hp electric motor, providing a small boost in power (160 vs. 148hp) and torque (163 vs. 145 lb-ft) over a non-hybrid XV. Unfortunately, a CVT is the only transmission option due to the fact that the electric motor and gearbox are one unit.

Styling-wise, the Impreza Sport Hybrid receives minor upgrades to distinguish itself from its petrol-only twin. Whereas the standard Impreza has three distinct sections that define its lower nosecone, the Hybrid combines them into one large lower grille spans the width of the front fascia, integrating the two foglamp bezels at each corner.

The red and white sections of the taillamps have been inverted for a lens that’s majority clear with a small D-shaped sliver of red. Around circumference of the chassis, new rocker skirts and with silver trim that continues across the rear update the overall look.

The Impreza Sport Hybrid will go on sale in Japan this summer. Subaru has not confirmed whether the model will make it across the Pacific.

Volvo has announced the first car to get the Polestar Performance Optimization treatment is a limited-edition version of the V40, a roughly Golf-sized premium hatchback sold across Europe and in China.
Dubbed V40 Carbon, the hatchback is available with one of two Polestar-tuned Drive-E engines. The first is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel unit that makes 200 horsepower – 16 more than stock – and 324 lb-ft. of torque, and the second is a 2.0-liter gasoline-burning four rated at 253 ponies – 25 more than stock – and a healthy 295 lb-ft. of twist.

The Carbon is fitted with a carbon fiber roof panel, a first in Volvo’s long history. It also gains carbon fiber mirror caps, black exhaust tips and 19-inch Polestar alloy wheels, while the interior has been spruced up with red seatbelts and real carbon fiber trim on the door sills and on the dashboard.

Production of the V40 Carbon will be strictly limited to 343 examples worldwide, and Volvo will only offer the hatchback in Finland, France, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden, its home country. Precisely how much of a premium the Carbon will carry over the regular V40 will be announced when it goes on sale.

What’s next?
The Volvo V40 Carbon is expected to sell out fast. Car shoppers who miss their chance to buy the hot-rodded Swede won’t have to wait long for another opportunity as Volvo promises it will release additional Polestar-tuned models late next month.

BMW has traveled to the annual Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance in Italy to introduce a brand new concept called 3.0 CSL Homage. As its name clearly implies, the show car was designed as a tribute to the 3.0 CSL coupe that tore up race tracks across Europe during the 1970s.
The concept blends modern and retro-styled styling cues to create a striking 21st century interpretation of the CSL. Visually, the design is characterized by a tall kidney grille and slim headlights up front, chromed fender vents, pronounced haunches and a huge rear wing out back. The coupe is finished in a heritage-laced color called Golf Yellow, while period-inspired black stripes add a finishing touch to the retro look.

The 3.0 CSL Homage makes extensive use of carbon fiber in order to keep weight in check. Additionally, every creature comfort deemed superfluous has been tossed out, creating a back-to-the-basics cockpit with state-of-the-art components like a rectangular multi-function steering wheel and a fully digital instrument cluster.

Full technical details are not available, though BMW has all but confirmed the show car is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain built around a straight-six engine. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission controlled by large shift paddles.

Like most of the stunning concepts that BMW introduces at the annual Concours d’Elegance, the 3.0 CSL Homage will remain a one-off design study that will not get the green light for production. However, the current 6 Series is a direct descendant of the CSL so it’s not too far-fetched to imagine the concept’s design could influence the next-gen 6 that is scheduled to debut before the end of the decade.

When you claim to build the best selling full-sized SUV since the genre became a, uh, genre, what do you do for an encore? In the case of Ford, we’re about to find out with the first drive of the 2016 Ford Explorer.
A bread and butter vehicle for the brand, the Blue Oval has sold more than 7-million units since its introduction 25 years ago. That converts to another copy selling once every two minutes. With a sales record like that, one thing is certain: Don’t screw with the recipe. Did Ford follow that sage advice or did they muck things up in the kitchen?

New! New! New!
Well, sort of. Renewed from the A-Pillars forward, the 2016 Explorer takes advantage of its “good bones” (as Ford officials describe them) and builds out a newer front end with standard LED low beam headlamps, LED Fog lamps and new grille options that vary according to trim levels.

The rear fascia also gets a refresh that is joined by the hands-free liftgate that first appeared with the Ford Escape. Below the bumper, the exhaust tips peer through cutouts for a more tailored look than previously offered. The overall effect is one that doesn’t disturb the faithful but hopefully attracts new customers to the fold as well.

In the engine room, the Explorer benefits from the addition of the new 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine that is similar but not identical to the mill offered in the 2015 Mustang and other Ford vehicles. Built to different tolerances for an increased workload, it provides 280-horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Now available with both FWD or 4WD options, the EPA says it’s capable of 19 city/28 highway or 18 city/26 highway, respectively.

Back for another go-round are the base 290 horsepower 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 with choice of FWD or 4WD, and the 365 horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged Ecoboost V6 with its exclusive 4WD drivetrain.

All engines are mated to a six-speed Selectshift automatic transmission with paddle shift levers. The MacPherson strut front suspension with isolated subframe and stabilizer bar and a multi-link rear kit return for the Explorer’s car-like ride.

The new Explorer will be available in five trim levels including base, XLT, Limited, Sport and new for 2016, the all-in Platinum edition that has all the option boxes ticked for those who believe enough never really is. It’s standard with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and intelligent 4WD drivetrain with the Terrain Management System.

Buyers would likely cross shop the Explorer against such segment stars as the Dodge Durango, Chevrolet Traverse, or the Toyota Highlander, among others.

Newer tech
The exterior was not the only place that received a good seeing to. Inside and out, the 2016 Explorer receives the aforementioned optional Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management, inflatable rear safety belts, a Blind Spot information system, PowerFold 3rd row seats, adaptive cruise control, cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping assist.

Sync replaces Sync with MyFordTouch on the base and XLT models, while at the top end of the food chain, the Platinum edition receives a new high-end Sony sound system. Enhanced Active Park Assist with parallel parking, park out assist, reverse perpendicular parking and forward and side sensing systems are available on the Limited model and are included as part of the new Platinum range model.

Speaking of sound systems, Sony offers a standard audio system in the Explorer Limited package and a Sony Premium Audio System with Clear Phase and Live Acoustics. We sampled the Premium system in one of the Platinum models and were impressed from the first note of classical music, as tuned by Sony Philharmonic violinist Goro Shiraishi, who with his team of audio engineers, sought to replicate the acoustic qualities of some of the world’s finest music halls. And for the record, Ford product engineers have no problem referring to their vehicle as the best rolling speaker cabinets ever devised. Using the Surround Sound functions of the system rivaled actual live performances in music venues we have been known to frequent. We could actually imagine using the Explorer as a listening room in the front driveway, regardless of what the neighbors may think.

In addition to the hands-free liftgate, the new Explorer features an industry-first 180-degree front and rear cameras complete with high-pressure washers, and inside, smart-charging (and high-speed) USB ports which operate up to twice the speed of standard USB car ports.

By the numbers, there is 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats, followed by 43.9 behind the second row, and 81.7-cubic feet behind the front row of seats.

Does it go?
Driving along stretches of highway and mountain roads in the San Diego, California, area displayed the new refinements found in the Ford Explorer for 2016. Heavy doors with seemingly improved seals helped to isolate road noise for improved, and more comfortable drives.Power from the new 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine showed a sense of brawn that makes it clear that this little four-banger doesn’t realize it’s not a V6. We never felt underpowered along the routes, whether climbing mountain grades or accelerating to high-speed on the expressways. The six-speed automatic with Selectshift made for fun driving excursions while paddling the steering wheel-mounted flippers up and down as needed.

The standard offering 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 offered plenty of around-town power not to mention adequate acceleration for on-expressway maneuvers.

The 3.5-liter Ecoboost twin-turbo V6 offered more power, and ultra quick acceleration when needed, and is perfectly placed in both the Explorer Sport, and the Platinum edition. It is the optimal combination for towing (up to 5,000-pounds) and other heavy-duty needs. The EPA says it’s good for 16 city/ 22 highway mpg.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Ford continues to improve the breed with an updated 2016 Ford Explorer. Five years into its lifecycle, improvements ranging from minor to major are afoot that will hopefully keep this best-seller at or near the top of the sales charts. The other manufacturers are not resting; the Blue Oval cannot afford to either.

2016 Ford Explorer Base FWD base price, $30,700
2016 Ford Explorer XLT FWD base price, $33,400
2016 Ford Explorer Limited FWD base price, $41,300
2016 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD base price, $43,300
2016 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD base price, $43,300
2016 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD base price, $52,600

Photos by Mark Elias.