Drum roll please.... We have an announcement to make!

Due to the continued success and popularity of Mitsubishi cars in North Devon, we have found ourselves in the fortunate position of having to recruit some additional members of staff to account for the growth.

With that in mind, we'd like to take the opportunity to introduce several members new to the team here, at Devonshire Motors. As some of you may have already spotted during recent visits to us, we have a few new faces and a shuffling around of some of the old ones! We're all very excited about the expansion- and would like to share all the changes with you (so there won't be any surprises next time you visit!).

Katy Lee is joining the Service department and she will partner Hannah Carthew on the Service desk. If you've ever visited us for a service before you'll have a face to put to the familiar voice- Katy is the lady who will have called you before and after your visit. Our most senior member of the Service team, John Harding, officially becomes Service Manager and our Master Technician, Shaun Down, will be on hand to ensure smooth running of the workshop.

Similar success in the Sales department has also allowed us to recruit additional staff. Wesley Elliott has joined us as our new Senior Sales Executive and Jason Woolway, who has been working with us for several years in our Valeting department, has joined the Sales team as an additional Sales Executive. Peter Starbuck and Sam Adams- who most of you will know- are still our mainstays in Sales (try as we might to get rid of them... we're joking, obviously!).

We have several, other, new additions too: Gemma Clarke has joined us and taken up a role as Warranty and Invoice Administrator, while Kirstein Moore has started this week in a part-time Receptionist position to enable (previously temporary- while Jess was on maternity) Elise Egner, to focus on other areas.

All of these changes have been made in order to ensure that we are able to continue to provide you with the excellent service on which our reputation is based. We hope you will join us in welcoming Wesley, Gemma and Kirstein to Devonshire Motors (WE think they are lovely and we're sure you will agree!) and in supporting everyone in their new roles. Do pop in to meet the new members of the team if you're passing. We would, as always, love to see you.

A Customer Story: Tandem Tales

We won't lie- we all felt a mix between 'inspired' and 'lazy' a couple of weeks ago when a couple, customers of ours for many years, came into the showroom. Mike and Jenny Rea, who travel all the way from Bude to come to us for their annual services on their Honda, mentioned in passing that they had taken a 'trip' in the previous months. Hannah in Service later established that far from being just a 'trip', Mr and Mrs Rea had actually taken what can only be described as an epic adventure- donning their cycling gear, hopping on a tandem and cycling from Lands End to John o' Groats- and then (for reasons unbeknownst to us) all the way back again!

The journey- a near 2000 mile round trip- took Mike and Jenny seven weeks to complete. Staying in a 2 man hiking tent- which they towed in a trailer with the rest of their equipment behind their tandem bike- they braved the elements (it was only dry on 6 days!) to complete the trip.

This image was taken at the start of the trip, as they were departing from Lands End in Penzance, Cornwall, looking dry and happy. We cannot help but wonder whether the photos were quite the same at the end!

All of us here, at Devonshire Motors, would like to congratulate Mike and Jenny on their truly epic trip- you would not believe how much discussion your story provoked in the showroom and how many of us it inspired to hop on our bikes! Not quite the same, we appreciate, but you have to start somewhere! We'd also like to thank them profusely for kindly allowing us to write about it.

We love hearing what our customers are up to, particularly when their stories are as inspiring as this one, so do please let us know if you've done anything exciting recently, we always like to know (and we promise to ask first before we blog about it!)

Want to beat the recession? Buy a new car!

The economy may be flailing within some industries but, according to figures published this month by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the car industry is not one of them.

While new car sales in Europe dropped 10.8% to 1.1 million vehicles in September (meaning that sales have now fallen for 12 months in a row), the UK displayed an increase of 8.2% exceeding dealer expectations by 26,000 vehicles. Incredible news considering Germany- Europe's largest economy- saw car sales retreat by 10.9%, France by 17.9%, Italy by 25.7% and Spain by an enormous 36.8%.

As September is usually a very busy month for most dealerships (including us!)- being one of the two months of the year when registration plates change- these figures should come as even more of a relief for most vehicle manufacturers.

SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt, suggested that- on top of the usual September increase in trade- the increase could be put down to a return in customer confidence, with motorists seeking products offering the latest in fuel-efficient technologies (such as that employed in the Mitsubishi Colt). An example of this- the energy efficient and eco-friendly Colt Clear Tec- features stop/start technology (which stops the engine automatically when the car is stationary, restarting automatically when the driver presses the clutch to engage a gear), which means that, in many cases, drivers can save themselves hundreds of pounds (saving on fuel costs but also road tax- because of reduced CO2 emissions, a clear bonus in the current economic climate and one of the main reasons it is such a popular vehicle!).

The Colt Clear Tec- Energy Efficient & Eco-Friendly

 We'll all be keeping our fingers crossed that this trend continues long into 2013 and look forward to pairing our new (and existing) customers- the faces behind these figures- with their perfect, recession-busting, vehicles in the coming months.

We're currently offering a VAT free deal on the Mitsubishi Colt range so if you're interested in the Colt Clear Tec, or any of our other vehicles, you can find information on our website. Alternatively, drop into the showroom in Pottington, Barnstaple, call us on 01271 342600 or email sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk.

The Only Truck With a 5 Year Warranty

We are proud to be able to pass on the exciting news that every new Mitsubishi L200 will now come with the longest warranty of any pick-up in the UK marketplace- a class-leading 5 years or 125,000 miles.

This is, of course, yet another added extra which comes with the L200 that should help to keep it in its (well deserved!) position as top choice amongst pick-up customers. The first pick-up truck to receive a 4* NCAP safety rating and the only pick-up which has a 4X4 system so advanced that it can be driven in 2WD or 4WD, even on dry roads, the L200 even has a conscience- with recent improvements ensuring that it is one of the lowest emitting and most fuel-efficient pick-ups on the market.



A Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian

 The Mitsubishi L200 is available with three different cab configurations- single, club, and double, with a choice of specifications varying from the no-nonsense 4Work models through to the comfort and luxury, top-of-the-range, Barbarian model.

The L200 hasn't been named "WhatVan? 'Pick-up of The Year'" 15 times in 18 years for nothing: tough yet reliable, Mitsubishi have clearly demonstrated their faith in the truck by introducing the 5 year warranty- something completely unheard of amongst its competitors. Not quite enough to convince you? Mitsubishi are also offering discounts of up to £1,400+ VAT on several of the most popular models of the award-winning pick-up, as well as a vast range of finance options, such as: 0% APR on Hire Purchase or Contract Hire starting from as little as £199+ VAT a month.

Interested in what the L200 has to offer? We always have a wide selection of trucks on our forecourt- if you'd like any more information please just pop into the showroom at Pottington, Barnstaple, email us on sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk or call us on 0845 250 0991.



World Premiere of the New State-of-the-art Mitsubishi Outlander

There has been much excitement in the showroom this week as Mitsubishi have announced that they will present the global debut of the new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV at the 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of this month.



A preview of what the Outlander PHEV may look like
when it is launched in 2013

The Outlander PHEV will be the world's first plug-in hybrid SUV when it launches (firstly in Japan) in 2013 and will offer something for everyone- the environmental performance of a full electric vehicle, the cruising range of a conventional internal engine and the on- and off- road performance of an SUV. It will incorporate the plug-in hybrid EV system used in Mitsubishi's 100% electric vehicle- the I-MiEV which, using a MIVEC variable valve timing system, employs electrical power stored in the drive battery by charging either at home, a charging system or when the system recovers energy when decelerating. A high capacity 12kWh lithium-drive battery ensures the PHEV is capable of a cruising range of over 55km in all-electric operation.



A diagram of the PHEVs internal systems



The PHEV is rather clever in that it will, depending on the driving conditions and remaining battery charge, automatically select the optimum drive mode for the task at hand:

• EV Drive Mode is an all-electric mode in which the front and rear motors drive the vehicle using energy solely from the drive battery- providing the driver with a quiet and eco-friendly performance, thanks to the zero on-road fuel consumption and zero C02 emissions.
• In Series-Drive Mode the engine operates as a generator- supplying electricity to the electric motors. The system utilises this mode either when the remaining battery charge falls below a pre-determined level or; when more powerful performance is required (such as climbing a steep gradient)
• Switching to Parallel Hybrid Mode ensures that the engine provides most of the power. This system kicks in when the engine operates at peak efficiency, allowing for higher-speed driving.

The Outlander PHEV is expected to be rolled out throughout Europe following its introduction in Japan in early 2013 and, although they are keeping details about exactly what the new Outlander will look like tightly under wraps (although we have included images of what Mitsubishi predict it may look like!), we will be sure to keep you updated on this- and any other extra details we get- as soon as we receive them.

ADDITION: As most people (including us!) will be unable to attend the Paris Motor Show, Mitsubishi have set up a live stream so you can watch from home on Thursday 27th September at 3.30pm. Simply follow this link: http://mitsubishi-media.co.uk/videos/ 

A Multi-Talented Team at Devonshire Motors

Just to prove that we aren't all completely car obsessed (at least, we have other interests as well as being mad about our vehicles!) we thought we'd keep you updated on one of our multi-talented members of staff. Hannah Carthew- one of our service advisors is, as well as being rather brilliant on the service desk, a dab hand at playing the baritone and is a member of  the Appledore Brass Band.

Following their success at the South West Brass Band Associations Entertainment Competition last year, Hannah (crouched far left in the photo)- and the rest of the band- travelled down to Exmouth last Saturday to try and uphold their title. The band played four pieces; Barnard Castle, Concierto de Aranjuez (both of which featured in the film Brassed Off), 42nd Street and Musical Director Jim Wortley's own arrangement of a piece called Mazama. This last piece involved the band chanting in Red Indian style (which for any of you have met Hannah will know what a challenge this must have been as she is so very shy and retiring!).

The band fought off stiff competition from several local bands to secure the win and celebrated in style with fish and chips and champagne- drunk from their trophy, of course!

Anyone wanting to catch Hannah in action can watch the band play for the Bandstand Marathon on Appledore Quay from 2-4pm on Sunday 9th September or, if you were lucky enough to get tickets, for the sell-out opening concert of the Appledore Book Festival on 28th September at St Marys Church where they will be playing with the- now infamous- Military Wives Choir.

We, at Devonshire Motors, would like to congratulate all of the members of the Appledore Band on their win and wish them the best of luck for their forthcoming performances.

Romance is alive and well at Devonshire Motors

One very lucky lady from Barnstaple got much more than chocolates and flowers for her birthday last week after her husband decided a new car would be a better fit for the occasion. Following a visit to Devonshire Motors in Barnstaple, Mr Goodman (accompanied by the couple’s twin daughters who were in on the surprise) selected a spicy red Mitsubishi Colt for his wife's birthday...

The car was lovingly decorated with ribbons and bows for the grand reveal and accompanied by a matching bouquet courtesy of Devonshire Motors. Mark Hopkins- one of the senior sales executives at the showroom, responsible for the sale of the Colt (and partially responsible for the decoration!) said:

Mark Hopkins hands Mrs Goodman her new Mitsubishi Colt

“At one point it looked as if the surprise was going to be found out before the big day.  Mrs Goodman drove past the showroom as her husband was  finalising the paperwork and paying the deposit.  The family’s other vehicle was swiftly manoeuvred from its position at the front of the showroom on Pottington Industrial Estate and was, miraculously, not spotted in the process."

The family visited the showroom on the day of collection with Mrs Goodman still none the wiser, under the impression they were coming to look at one of the used cars at Devonshire Motors. She was, understandably, more than a little surprised when it was announced that the very shiny, brand new car with the bow on top was for her and was presented with the keys.

Devonshire Motors Dealer Principal, Nathan Tomlinson added

“The Goodman family were an absolute pleasure to deal with and we were really happy to be able to help make the day special for them.  We’d like to take the opportunity to say thank you to them for choosing Devonshire Motors and to wish them many years of happy motoring in their new Mitsubishi”

For husbands (or wives) wishing to purchase as popular a gift as Mr Goodman selected- Devonshire Motors can, happily, gift wrap any of the vehicles on their forecourt! To find your next present, for a friend, relative or just for yourself visit them on the Pottington Business Park, Braunton Road, Barnstaple or at www.devonshire-motors.co.uk

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (of the Vehicle Accessories World)

In vehicle accessory terms, things have moved on a bit since the days of nodding dogs on car dashboards (although you can still spot a few if you look hard enough). Here is a selection of some of the best, worst and the ugliest, but not necessarily in that order!

Car Eyelashes
Have a spare few pounds and always fancied making your car look like Jordan's younger sister? These could be just the trick. Made from PVC, these stick to the front headlights and 'style' the vehicle to look more 'feminine'. We can't say we've seen any on an L200 just yet but I'm sure it won't be too long.

Crystal Car Eyeliner

For a similar look to that achieved by the 'Car Eyelashes', this does exactly as it says on the tin- adds a slick of diamante crystals to the headlights of your chosen vehicle. They don't appear to have gained quite the cult status of the eyelashes just yet.

Reversing Camera Kit

This is a particularly nifty piece of kit- it features an innovative RCD mirror with a high-resolution LCD that appears automatically through the mirrors reflective surface when reverse gear is selected. It shows the driver exactly what is behind them, significantly reducing the risk of reversing accidents.

Car Bra's
This is, in basic terms, a cover for the front end of the car to protect against stone chips on the bonnet and bumper. They come in all variety of colours from muted black to chequered and spotty... from what we can gather, you either love them or hate them.

Daytime Running Lights Bar

An accessory that can be fitted to either a Mitsubishi L200 or an ASX. This is a front styling bar manufactured in stainless steel with in-built LED lights. The smartest bit is the 'dim' function incorporated into the bars which lowers the lights when either the side or headlights are switched on.

We only tend to stock vehicle accessories which serve some useful purpose so unfortunately, if you are after the car eyelashes we may not be of any help but, if the reversing camera kit or the daytime running lights bar are more to your taste we can certainly be of assistance. Just call our Parts Department on 01271 342600, pop in and visit us in our Barnstaple Showroom (at Pottington, Barnstaple) or email us on parts@devonshire-motors.co.uk.

The Problem with Potholes

Thankfully, summer has finally arrived- the sun is out and all of us here at Devonshire Motors are certainly a great deal happier for it. But there are still remnants of winter on our roads- uneven road surfaces and a fair few potholes, which can cause problems for vehicles at this time of year.

Lumps and bumps in the road can, over time, cause wheels to come out of alignment (meaning that all four wheels face in slightly different directions as your car travels down the road, working against one another rather than all pulling in the same direction). There are various impacts on cars because of this- tyres can wear out quicker than they should, the vehicle uses up more fuel and you may feel your car pulling to one side of the road or another.

A popular solution to this problem is Four-Wheel Alignment. This utilises a state of the art machine and a purpose built alignment ramp, designed to measure and adjust your cars suspension settings to ensure they are pointing in the same direction and at the correct angle to the road. This saves money by improving fuel economy, makes tyres last longer, gives you a smoother ride and improves handling and, most importantly, safety.


At Devonshire Motors we offer Four-Wheel Alignment for any make and model of vehicle and follow the same processes, and use the same equipment, as the specialist wheel alignment centres (but for considerably less). If you'd like to find out more, please just call either John or Hannah in servicing on 01271 342600 or fill out a contact form via our website: http://www.devonshire-motors.co.uk/aftersales/tyres/4-wheel-alignment?ito=LBC208991

Sidecarcross Ticket Giveaway

Following local rider, Mark Osbourne's success in the Dave Thorpe EVO event at Torridge Motor Club in April, Devonshire Motors are again sponsoring Mark for the next big event in North Devon- Round 5 of the Clubman Sidecarcross Championship. The event will take place on Sunday 29th July (with the first championship race at 11.15am) and will also incorporate four support groups- the EVO open, Junior Clubman Modern, Twinshock and an Expert/Junior A modern group.

For anyone not too familiar with the sport, the basic premise is similar to that of regular motocross but with a team of two- the driver and a passenger in a sidecar (known as the “monkey”) racing around a circuit. The event will cater for everyone from complete novices wanting to try the sport for the first time to riders who travel from all over the country to compete in the ‘Expert’ and ‘Junior A’ groups.

Despite the unfavourable weather in April, the last event held at Torridge Motor Cross was a resounding success, so much so that elements of the previous event will be incorporated into this- the same circuit is being used and the EVO and Twinshock machines (which provided great entertainment) will be racing again.

Think the day is just for the competitors? Far from it. The sport is equally as exciting for spectators- the Torridge Club offers 90% visibility of the circuit from the main spectator area so none of the action is missed and everything from on-site catering to bouncy castles and display and trade stands will be present on the day and visitors are welcome to look at the machines up close in the race paddock.

We have three pairs of tickets to the event up for grabs and anyone interested in winning can find out the details on our Facebook page- www.facebook.com/Devonshiremotors in the coming weeks.

All the team at Devonshire Motors wish Mark Osborne the best of luck for the event and we’ll be sure to let you all know how he gets on at the end of July.

**Unfortunately, due to our recent spell of bad weather, the organisers have had to cancel the event. We will, of course, keep you updated on any future events we sponsor at Torridge Motor Club**

Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV powers ahead

by Andy Keeble, North Devon Gazette

POUND signs at the pumps could be a thing of the past with an electric alternative that’s more about plugging in than filling up.

Mitsubishi’s revolutionary i-MiEV has touched down in North Devon but you won’t have heard it coming.
As the North Devon Gazette discovered during a recent test-drive, it’s certainly not one to blow its own trumpet. In fact, when you turn the key to start the ignition you’ll probably find the car’s complete silence a little unnerving to begin with. But you’ll soon discover what it lacks in vroom, it more than makes up for in zoom.

The UK’s first full electric vehicle, the i-MiEV is road tax free, congestion charge free and produces zero CO2 tailpipe emissions.

It’s got a 93-mile range on a £2 seven-hour overnight charge, while a 30-minute quick charge will top up 80 per cent of the battery – both from a domestic 240-volt, 13A plug socket.

The kind chaps from the Devonshire Motors dealership at Pottington ensured me that the little beauty had got plenty of juice to enable the Gazette team to spend a day putting it through its paces.

So after cautiously negotiating the speed bumps in Old Station Road without the reassuring brum of an engine, our first point of call was a drive, sorry glide, through Barnstaple town centre.

Days earlier, a jack-knifed articulated lorry had caused gridlock in the High Street but with visualiser Ross Middleton at the wheel, the only obstacles for the i-MiEV were the unsuspecting shoppers we crept up on.
Their surprise soon gave way to puzzled looks as the car zipped along Butchers Row.

 The i-MiEV certainly turned heads, and after a quick loop around the town, our initial unease soon turned to enjoyment.

Next it was my turn to get behind the wheel, so with one eye on the fuel gauge, sorry charge meter, I headed west along the A39 to Roundswell – and what a fun drive it was. If electric car makes you think milk float or golf buggy, then think again; the i-MiEV is incredibly nippy and the zero-to-60mph actually felt a lot quicker than the 13 seconds specified in the details I’d been given.

The iMiEV at Castle Hill, Filleigh.

It’s extremely comfortable too. The height adjustable driver’s seat offers a good elevated position and the large windscreen offers excellent visibility.

For a small car there is plenty of leg-room to stretch out and the main dash features a surprising number of toys, including air conditioning, MP3-compatible audio system, USB port, electric folding door mirrors, not to mention the all-important cup holders.

Dipping back into the busy lunchtime traffic, I selected a clever driving mode that recharges the battery when the accelerator is not in use – perfect for the stop-start conditions in the town centre.
The increased regenerative breaking transmission also helped to automatically slow the car in traffic, while giving me a satisfying reminder of the car’s environmental benefits.

The iMiEV at Portmore Golf Club near Barnstaple.

It fared very well when loaded with four female colleagues nipping into town on their lunch break, although by the time reporter Tony Gussin returned from a jaunt around the country lanes of Swimbridge and Filleigh, the charge meter was down to its last bar.

Mitsubishi call the i-MiEV a revolution in motion and it’s not hard to see why.
My only question is if Mitsubishi can make electric cars this good, then why aren’t other manufacturers making more of the same?

With the i-MiEV, the chasm of technological advancement between the motor car and the home computer is only now beginning to narrow. And with the cost of fuel putting more of a squeeze on both motorists and the environment, the electric car has a clear part to play.

Adrian Winter, Sales Manager at Devonshire Motors, said: “I dare say that in 20 years’ time half of our forecourt will consist of electric or hybrid cars.

“While the i-MiEV is perfect for getting around North Devon, charge ports are popping up all over the place and long-distance journeys will no longer be beyond the realms of possibility.

“People will soon be able to pull up to the supermarket and charge their car in a special parking bay while they do their shopping. “What’s more, the tax and fuel-saving benefits to businesses are obvious.”

The i-MiEV is already the biggest-selling electric car in the UK following its launch to just a handful of dealers in major towns and cities across the UK. Mitsubishi has now rolled out the model to its entire network of dealers around the country and its arrival in North Devon last month is seen as a major ‘first’ for the area.

“We’re really excited to be able to offer a vehicle of this calibre in this part of the world,” added Adrian. “It’s groundbreaking technology and it’s only going to improve.”

Find out more about the Mitsubishi i-MiEV at www.devonshire-motors.co.uk/imiev

Devonshire Motors Support Local Motocross in Torrrington

On April 22nd 2012, The Dave Thorpe EVO Series returns to Torrington for the second year

running. The club will be hosting the first of 8 rounds at their circuit at Waggadon Farm, Torrington in North Devon.

They are also hosting Round 2 of the Pre 83 125cc Championship along with classes forTwinshock and Modern machines.

Time permitting, there will be an "EVO Super Final" which will take the top 13 riders overall from the Dave Thorpe 125cc, 250cc and 500cc groups. They will race together in a "one off" race at the end of the day.

Team Devonshire Motors rider, Mark Osborne

Devonshire Motors are proud to be sponsoring local rider Mark Osborne and supporting the event.

Registrations for the Championships have been more popular than ever, being the early

rounds of the Championships the racing should be fast and furious with riders being

injury free and keen to get an early advantage.

2012 is the 30-year anniversary of the circuit so this event will be one to remember! The club are running a competition to win free entry passes to the event, there are 5 pairs of tickets up for grabs, to be in with a chance of winning them just answer this question:

Dave Thorpe won three 500cc World Motocross Titles, but in what years did he win them?

Please Email your Answer, Name, Age and Address to Torridgemcc@aol.co.uk Entries will close on April 11th with the winners being notified by Email .

Entry forms are available to download from either www.torridge-districtmcc.co.uk or www.dtevoseries.co.uk but please note that entries to the Dave Thorpe and Pre 83 classes are for registered riders only.

The Twinshock and Modern groups are open to all but only to 40 riders per class.

For futher information with regards to this meeting please contact Mark Osborne on 07855954790 or email him at the above address.

Mitsubishi Motors to announce new generation Outlander

Eleven years¹ after it first coined the term “crossover”, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will unveil its third embodiment of this concept at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show with the New Generation Outlander.

This all-new mid-size crossover is meant to better comply with the times - a strategic and innovative premium vehicle of substance developed around a versatile global platform and borne of a harmonious balancing of:

• Low environmental impact (with target emissions below 130 g/km minimum  – dep. on models & markets)
• Advanced safety(with Forward Collision Mitigation system, Lane Departure Warning system, Active Cruise Control, etc…)
• Comfortable driving (with now a dual zone air conditioner, etc…)
• Clever utility(with the adoption of a power tail-gate, full 3^rd row seating, flat floor cargo area, etc…)
• Added convenience(with now tilt & telescopic steering column, Super-HiD “Wide Vision” xenon headlamps, etc…)

Similar in size to the current car, the New Generation Outlander follows a  clear design brief where in true Mitsubishi fashion, key directions were for an “engineer’s car” with a “Solid – Safe – Simple” shape, blending substantial look with clean surfaces.

This same uncluttered quality look continues inside the car with high grade materials (padded surfaces, soft-touch finish, silver accents, gloss black appliqués…) gracing a dashboard designed for better driver concentration, including ergonomic steering wheel controls as well as high-resolution and easy-to-read instrument displays.

In Europe, the New Generation Outlander will offer at launch the choice between two low impact engines (whether in 2WD or 4WD): 2.0 l MIVEC petrol or 2.2 MIVEC Clean Diesel (MMC’s own 4N14 engine) Depending on market, model, engine and specifications, Auto Stop & Go will be available, as well as an all-new 6-speed automatic gearbox.

As part of its novel technical package, the new Outlander will also be equipped with an “eco-friendly driving system” that notifies the driver when she/he is driving at maximum efficiency. Accordingly, the driver can choose to drive at maximum efficiency to enhance actual fuel consumption of the vehicle – availability according to model & market.

After this Geneva unveiling, the Next Generation Outlander will be launched first in Russia this summer, prior to European (late summer), Japanese, Oceania, Chinese and North American debuts.

From 2013 in Europe², MMC will also take advantage of the built-in possibilities of Outlander’s versatile architecture to add an EV-based plug-In hybrid powertrain - a fully integrated solution, based on MMC’s EV technology and making the best use of MMC’s extensive 4-Wheel-Drive expertise as well. When fitted to Outlander, the Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid EV system will allow for a range and very low CO₂ emissions similar to that of the MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV II (over 800 km and a target of below 50 g/km).

(All data subject to final homologation)

¹ ”ASX” show car at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show – forerunner of the first generation Outlander (Airtrek in Japan)

²First retail introduction: Japan, during FY2012

Honda Master Technician Update Jan 2012

We are proud to announce that Jim Middlemass has just been awarded the prestigious Honda Master Technician status.

It was May 2011 when Jim started the intensive Master Technician Programme with Honda (UK) and after many visits to the Honda Institute, lots of intensive study and a great deal of practical work his efforts have paid off.

There are just 68 technicians within the entire UK Honda dealer network who are qualified at this level, making Jim part of an extremely elite group. This is a real accolade both for Devonshire Motors and for Jim himself.



Jim Middlemass

Jim was invited by Honda (UK) as one of a select few technicians in the UK to participate in their exclusive Master Technician Programme and spent 13 days in total at the Honda Institute in Colnbrook completing an intensive hands-on training programme.

The Honda Institute, Colnbrook

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honda Institute provides world-class training around not just the UK, but also other European countries, the Middle East, Africa and Russia. It is available to more than 10,000 people in the Honda (UK) dealer network alone.

Jim will become Devonshire Motors 4th certified Master Technician joining Shaun Down (Mitsubishi Master), Matthew Redmore (Mitsubishi Master) and Phil Wells (BMW Master).

A taste of things to come ..

For the first time, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has decided to select the most demanding European market as global launch pad for an all-new vehicle. Next March, the Geneva Motor Show will see the world premiere of a strategic and innovative premium vehicle, to be retailed sequentially during 2012 – a car of substance that will reflect a gradual transformation in Mitsubishi’s design language.

Next generation
This unveiling will confirm the start of an all-new generation of global products for Mitsubishi Motors, consistent with the ambitions set in MMC’s “Jump 2013” business plan for a greener and more global Mitsubishi. Fittingly, this complete family of cars / crossovers / SUVs will see a gradual transition to a re-focused design language.

A tradition of engineering
This re-focused design language, while still being formulated, is envisaged as an open design concept, meant to be flexible enough to suit specific vehicle requirements whilst staging Mitsubishi’s famous Three Diamond logo accordingly.  Refined yet assertive, this new engineering-driven look can be understood as the new expression of Mitsubishi’s near century old tradition of technology tailored for today’s world – the one that recently brought i-MiEV, the 4N1 Clean Diesel engine, Green Plastics and the same one that will bring innovative proprietary PHEV technologies next year, based on MMC’s state-of-the-art electric vehicle know-how that led to i-MiEV, prior to other future significant breakthroughs…

Mitsubishi Shogun Black

Following the success of the latest (12MY) Mitsubishi Shogun, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK are about to extend the Shogun range with the introduction of the Shogun Black, a new special edition model with enhanced exterior styling.
From the outside the new Mitsubishi Shogun Black boasts a dynamic appearance with the introduction of satin black styling kit which includes striking black 20” alloy wheels, roof, spoiler, wing mirrors, grille and headlamp bezels, fog lamp surrounds, door handles and side steps.
Based on the current Mitsubishi 3.2 Di-D LWB Shogun SG4, the newcomer will be available from Devonshire Motors from 1^st January 2012 in the following metallic colours:

• Frost White (Solid)
• Cool Silver (Metallic)
• Diamond Black (Pearlescent)
• Orient Red (Metallic)
• Granite Brown (Metallic)

The new Euro V compliant Mitsubishi Shogun is the strongest, quietest, safest and smartest Shogun ever built. Now with 197bhp and a massive 441Nm of torque it has increased towing capacity to 3,500kg, best-in-class CO₂ emissions which not only means it is kinder to the environment, it also has lower road tax too. Complete with new satellite navigation and Bluetooth systems to help with any on or off road adventure. As always, the Shogun comes packed with an array of standard safety and luxury equipment:

The Shogun SG4 standard features include:

• Mitsubishi Motors Communication System (MMCS) with:
  • Satellite navigation
  • Reversing camera
  • iPod connection

The interior boasts items such as:

• New high-quality material leather upholstery
• New enhanced illumination for instruments
• New brushed silver finish for power window control panels

Other features include:

• Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC)
• Auto lights, auto wipers and privacy glass
• A colour coded spare wheel cover as standard
• Brake override system – in case the driver accidentally hits the brake and accelerator at the same time (the car automatically opts for the safer braking option)
• Rear under-cover, thus reducing aerodynamic drag
• Electric power steering

Servicing and Maintenance
The legendary Mitsubishi Shogun has a 3-year / unlimited mileage warranty together with a pan-European roadside assistance package. Service intervals for all 12MY Shogun variants are 9,000 miles/12 months (whichever comes first) and Mitsubishi’s extremely competitive service plan (MSP), covering the first three scheduled services can be purchased for just £750.

Summary
Away from the much commented “Chelsea tractor” luxury soft-roaders, heavy-duty workhorses such as the Shogun have carved out a very unique niche in the market where ability and dependability matter first and foremost.
Since its debut in 1982, Mitsubishi has produced millions of Shoguns, with a whopping 104,328 units sold in the UK alone. The Mitsubishi Shogun is a vehicle that inspires exceptional brand loyalty, with seven in ten customers retaining a Shogun. The new Shogun Black adds a new dimension to the increasingly exciting Shogun range.

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