Or at least it will, one day. For now, drivers will have to settle on plant-based floor mats and seat belts. Add to that recycled seat covers (made from discarded Lee jeans), and you’ve got a car that Captain Planet would be jealous of!

Bet you didn’t expect a Capt. Planet reference today, did ya?

Fibers for the Mitsubishi rubber are constructed from plant based resin: aka – sugarcane molasses, then wrapped in regular petroleum-based polypropylene sheaths, which allows it to meet performance demanded: temperature, regular beatings from people, etc.

“Mitsubishi Motors…has developed a new floor mat made using plant-based bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) fiber to add to its lineup of proprietary plant-based “Green Plastic” products. The company plans to start production of the new floor mats in the summer of 2012,” according to the auto maker’s official statement.

Source: Mitsubishi | autoevolution

Think no one remembered the 70th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor…well this guy sure did.

A Navy Vet was plumbed after vandalizing a Mitsubishi Evo Lancer with the words ’12-7 USN’ – representing Pearl Harbor’s historic date, and ‘US Navy’. The Japanese-made automobile was targeted for obvious reasons, but unlike America’s victory of WWII, this war hero lost his smaller battle.

Apparently, two young men witnessing his disrespect of private property beat “the crap out of him on camera.” God bless America, where EVERYTHING is filmed these days. Racist remarks were shouted at the two assailants, adding insult to injury… his injury at least.

The angry Vet was left with broken leg, nose, and lots of questioning by police.

Photo, source: Jalopnik

Mitsubishi Motors and the 2012 Mitsubishi i (voted “Most Likable Car On The Planet”) has transformed one town into the United States electric vehicle capital. The auto maker brought 1000 electric Mitsubishi vehicles to the city, along with 30 fast Level 3 quick charge posts.

Check out the full-length commercial, which has been on television since Oct. 10th:

“Normal EVTown is a community that is embracing new technology in an environmentally sound way,” says Chris Koos, Mayor of Normal, Illinois, who came up with the idea. “It is a way of imagining the future and Normal is that future.”

What they’re calling “EVTown” is the creation of town business officials, Mitsubishi Motors, government representatives and interested stakeholders. All believe EVs offer tremendous benefits to everyone in the community.

Source: Market Watch Video: thezagco

Featuring all wheel drive on top of that diesel-electric hybrid system, and for now only going on sale in Europe, Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko confirmed the next Mitsubishi Evo due in 3 years.

“We will start work on the project next year, and it will be ready within three,” Masuko added. “I have set the goal of developing a sporting car featuring electric power.”

This next generation Mitsubishi Evo may be going hybrid, but the car will still (reportedly) hit the 62 MPH mark in about 5 seconds, maybe less. Mitsu drivers demand performance above all else, and it looks like they’ll get it while still being green.

Source: WorldCarFans

As the company is planning several new introductions next year, other models will have to go. The announcement was made last week that production will end for Eclipse coupe, Eclipse Spyder, and Endeavor crossover this August.

Eclipse’s demise marks an end to a 21-year history. To commemorate it, Mitsubishi has announced a four-cylinder Eclipse SE Special Edition coming in 2012, which adds special badging, black side mirrors, and darkly finished 18-inch wheels. The car has the same equipment as the loaded, V6 GS Sport models, including a huge list of extras in the safety and entertainment arenas.

As for Endeavor, no celebration is planned, since only 4294 vehicles were sold in 2010. Good night, sweet Mitsu.

Source: Automobile Mag

Over 6,000 units of the Evolution series have been sold since 2000. The Lancer Evolution X range begins with the FQ-300 SST engine, which produces 300 bhp. Prices start at $47,700.

The press release is meant to promote the Lancer Evolution X model, but at the same time doesn’t make a promise as to its future, except that it will still be around in some form. A few of Evo’s high-octane variants are likely to remain, perhaps as hybrid or plug-in hybrid variants.

Source: WCF

The all new 2011 Mitsubishi Galant is here! And for an MSRP starting at $21,575 you really can’t go wrong. This Mitsubishi comes with a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine, matted to a four-speed automatic transmission with shifting capabilities. Rated at 160 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 157 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, the Galant delivers 21 mpg city and 30 highway.

Sadly, Galant has not updated its look too much. Appearing more like a small version of Chevrolet’s Impala, the vehicle looks a bit turn-of-the-2000′s. Mitsubishi Galant does offer a comfortable ride and “crisp handling.”

Additions and extras include Bluetooth connectivity, audio system with 6-CD changer, sunroof with the SE, ABS, traction control and a slew of safety / security features. The SE also offers an optional leather package with rear spoiler.

According to World Car Fans: This design study uses the main stylistic cues of Mitsubishi’s new ‘jet-fighter’ design language, as the former EA model helped inspire that current paradigm, and which Farkas also employed on his Mitsubishi Concept CS recently.

Farkas also gives us a full on interior rendering too with premium materials and four individual seats used to deck out the cabin. The dashboard styling looks realistic enough as well, as if it were a properly finished concept vehicle.

Source: WCF

The Mitsubishi i hits dealerships this November, in Hawaii, California and other Western states, and will offer a 70 mile range for under $30,000 before tax incentives. Mitsu’s i (known as the i-MiEV overseas) is the first of those six plug-in / hybrid cars.

Mitsubishi is also letting some models go, as part of this new plan: three low sellers will be disposed of by 2013: Galant midsize sedan, Eclipse coupe and Endeavor SUV. Mitsubishi will bring in replacements for all, but expect those to be smaller and have hybrid drive trains.

“Combining small-footprint cars with electrification is a natural strategy,” Moe Durand, a Mitsubishi spokesperson, said. He added, “clean-diesel technology — especially expensive exhaust-treatment systems — was too expensive to install profitably on smaller, more affordable cars. It seems the only way to meet regulatory targets in several markets is to aggressively leverage battery technology.”

One vehicle that is not as green as the rest of Mitsubishi’s future will stick around – the “Evo Lancer” also known as the Evolution, an enhanced version of Lancer, will remain in the company’s line up. The car has a huge cult following.

So, is Mitsubishi putting all their eggs in a very fragile “eco car” basket? Or will they be ahead of the curve when EV’s go mainstream?

Source: NY Times

According to the official Press Release from Mitsubishi, the exterior of the sporty Outlander ACTiV offers the addition of 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and black roof rails with roof rail cross bars, as well as a stylish black front center grille and chrome exhaust tip.

On the inside the Outlander ACTiV provides increased occupant comfort with the addition of privacy glass and automatic air-conditioning, and enhanced safety with the addition of reverse parking sensors and Bluetooth 2.0. Safety features include Mitsubishi’s acclaimed reinforced impact safety evolution body, active stability control, active traction control, multi-mode anti-lock breaking system and electronic brake force distribution.

For now, the Mitsubishi Outlander ACTiV will only be available in Australia, but cross your fingers and hope this special edition will come to the United States and Canada.