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Mitsubishi is strategically pivoting to introduce a more budget-friendly Outlander Sport model, following the retirement of its most affordable car, the Mirage, after the 2024 model year. This initiative is designed to address consumer demand for accessible pricing in the evolving automotive market, particularly in the crossover segment.

Mitsubishi's Strategic Move to Introduce a More Affordable Outlander Sport

In a significant development for Mitsubishi Motors North America, the automaker is reportedly set to launch a more economical variant of its Outlander Sport. This comes as a direct response to the void left by the departure of the Mirage, which was previously Mitsubishi's entry-level offering. Currently, the 2025 Outlander Sport begins at a price point of $26,190, inclusive of an all-wheel-drive system. The proposed new version, aiming for a lower price, would feature a front-wheel-drive configuration, mirroring a setup that was available a few years prior.

While Mitsubishi Motors North America CEO Mark Chaffin refrained from officially confirming these specific plans to Automotive News, he did emphasize the company's commitment to affordability and adapting to customer needs. Chaffin stated, \"Affordability is a key concern for customers. We are actively evolving our game plan to better align with customer needs.\" He further suggested that reintroducing a two-wheel-drive model would be a \"logical move to help lower the entry price point for customers,\" especially given the overwhelming preference for crossovers over sedans among consumers. This strategic adjustment is anticipated to boost sales and improve profitability for dealerships.

The current Outlander Sport model has been on the market for 15 years, undergoing its last major facelift in 2020. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine producing 148 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission. Despite a newer, sleeker Outlander Sport existing in other markets, it has not been engineered for the United States, representing a potential missed opportunity for the brand to introduce a more modern vehicle that could better compete with rivals. The extent of the price reduction for a front-wheel-drive Outlander Sport remains speculative, though comparisons with competitors like Kia, which reduced the Seltos' starting price by $1,000 with a FWD option, suggest a similar scale of adjustment.

Mitsubishi's potential reintroduction of a front-wheel-drive Outlander Sport is a thoughtful approach to maintaining market relevance and appealing to a broader customer base. By focusing on affordability and aligning with consumer preferences for crossovers, the company demonstrates a proactive stance in navigating a competitive industry landscape. This move could not only revitalize the Outlander Sport's appeal but also reinforce Mitsubishi's position as a provider of value-oriented vehicles, adapting to current market dynamics and consumer expectations.

Porsche has showcased its forward-thinking engineering capabilities through a newly revealed patent for a W18 engine. This design distinguishes itself with three independent cylinder banks, each equipped with its own cylinder head. The architecture focuses on enhancing combustion efficiency and managing airflow, with a potential for advanced forced induction systems. The adaptability of this engine, allowing for a varied number of cylinders, highlights its versatility. Despite the speculative nature of its production, this development emphasizes Porsche's dedication to pushing the boundaries of traditional engine technology, even as the automotive industry shifts towards electrification.

Porsche's Innovative Three-Bank W Engine Architecture

Porsche's recently disclosed patent introduces a groundbreaking W18 engine concept, featuring three distinct cylinder banks converging on a single crankshaft. This design fundamentally differs from previous W-engine configurations by the VW Group, which typically combine two narrow-angle V-engines. The proposed architecture emphasizes enhanced combustion efficiency and optimal balance, achieved through a 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks. This innovative approach allows for considerable scalability, enabling the creation of engines with 9, 12, or 15 cylinders by adjusting the number of cylinders per bank. The patent signals Porsche's intent to continue innovating within internal combustion engine technology, exploring new avenues for performance and efficiency.

The unique W18 engine design from Porsche represents a significant departure from conventional engine layouts, particularly those previously seen in the Volkswagen Group. Unlike the established W8, W12, and W16 engines that utilize a "double-V" configuration with shared cylinder heads, Porsche's new W18 features three separate cylinder banks, each with its own head. This true 'W' layout is engineered for optimal combustion and balance, thanks to a precisely chosen 60-degree angle between the banks, though the patent notes this angle can be adjusted for different applications. This inherent modularity allows the engine to be scaled to various cylinder counts, from 9 to 18, by altering the number of cylinders in each bank. This flexibility in design could cater to a wide range of performance requirements, offering a compact yet powerful solution for future high-performance vehicles. The patent demonstrates Porsche's continued investment in and exploration of advanced combustion engine technology.

Advanced Airflow Management and Future Potential

Beyond its unique mechanical layout, the patented W18 engine incorporates sophisticated airflow management techniques designed to maximize power output. Intake plenums are strategically positioned above the cylinder banks, facilitating direct and short air paths to the cylinders. This setup ensures the engine can draw in cooler, denser air, which is crucial for higher performance. The design also meticulously separates exhaust manifolds from intake plumbing, preventing heat transfer and further optimizing intake air temperature. The patent further alludes to the possibility of integrating forced induction, specifically suggesting a triple-turbo setup, with each bank potentially receiving its own turbocharger. This, combined with Porsche's T-Hybrid electric-assisted turbocharger technology, could deliver exceptional power and instantaneous throttle response, promising an exhilarating driving experience.

The core of Porsche's W18 engine innovation lies not only in its cylinder arrangement but also in its meticulous attention to thermal and aerodynamic efficiency. The design incorporates intake plenums directly above the cylinder banks, creating incredibly short and straight intake tracts. This direct-path approach significantly reduces air resistance and turbulence, allowing the engine to "breathe" more freely and efficiently. Simultaneously, the exhaust manifolds are engineered to be isolated from the intake system, ensuring that the engine ingests cool, dense air, which is fundamental for achieving maximum power output. Cooler air contains more oxygen, leading to a more potent combustion process. Furthermore, the patent hints at advanced forced-induction possibilities, specifically mentioning a triple-turbocharger configuration, where each of the three cylinder banks could be independently turbocharged. When combined with Porsche's cutting-edge T-Hybrid electric-assisted turbocharging technology, this setup could offer unprecedented power delivery, nearly instantaneous boost response, and a driving experience characterized by both raw power and refined control, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with internal combustion engines.