These pictures as well as the following information are coming from Auto Week's infamous forums

"Mitsu Press Release:

Mitsubishi Motors Reveals Name Of Its New Truck
New Truck and New Eclipse Models Previewed at National Mitsubishi Motors Dealer Show


September 23, 2004 -- New Orleans -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today announced that "Raider" would be the name of the company's new midsize truck to be unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Mitsubishi Motors dealers attending the national franchise convention were treated to a preview of the new truck, along with the new Eclipse sporty coupe also scheduled to debut at the Detroit show. Both new vehicles feature interior and exterior designs created by Mitsubishi Motors Cypress, California design studio. The Eclipse is slated to go on sale in summer 2005, followed by the truck in early fall.

The truck's styling emphasizes sportiness with a bold stance and aggressive attitude and incorporates signature design cues from the Mitsubishi family of vehicles - including Endeavor and Galant. The all-new Eclipse takes a dynamic, muscular stance and hints toward a performance and handling package that will re-excite the sporty car segment.

The Raider will include a standard V-6 and a V-8 engine option, two different cab configurations, and unique interior and exterior styling distinctive to Mitsubishi. The Raider, based on the Dodge Dakota midsize truck, will be built in the Daimler-Chrysler plant in Warren, Michigan.

Raider available feature highlights include:

4.7L V8 with 230 horsepower and 290 pounds-feet of torque
Fully boxed steel frame
Independent front suspension with coil-over shocks and
live axle and multi-leaf rear suspension
Extended or double cab in two- and four-wheel drive
500-watt audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer
Bluetooth ® technology.
The new Eclipse will offer more powerful four and six-cylinder engines than the current generation, an available 6-speed manual transmission and many interior feature upgrades to appeal to discriminating buyers. The Eclipse will continue to be built in the Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal, Illinois.

Eclipse available feature highlights include:

3.8L V6 with 260 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque
5-speed Sportronic or 6-speed manual transmission
18-inch wheels
650-watt Rockford Fosgate ® audio system with 6-CD in-dash changer, MP3 playback, nine speakers with a 10-inch subwoofer.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, and research and development operations of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in the United States and Canada. Mitsubishi Motors sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 650 dealers. For more information visit http://media.mitsubishicars.com."---From Mitsubishi & Auto Week's Forums




I think this 3.8, 260hp engine is the "six pack" engine that will find its way into the new Dodge coupe.

 

looks good so far. and using a name from that silly little SUV from the 80's ??wow

 

isn't mitsu slowly falling apart?
why would they devote money towards a truck segment then?
i think they'd have an easier time designing a new car or something

 

Just what the already saturated market needs... ANOTHER TRUCK!

Mitsu needs to concentrate on the nameplates that people can relate to. I hope the Eclipse redesign is better than the last one.

 

This is what's interesting. Japanese automakers have sketches of their concepts floating around. Then it's shown in the autoshow, and 6 months later it hits the dealers. Similar situation with G35.


Why does it take so long for Ford/GM? They show Solstice at the autoshow. Then 3 years later we get (hopefully) it in the showroom.

 

Well, usualy Honda, Toyota, etc use existing platforms, i.e. this truck would be made on the Dakota platform.
Solstice on the other hand was an idea that went to concept that went to greenlight very fast. Developing and testing the chassis has already been done for Mitsu, unlike it has been done for GM.

I agree...for a car maker that is slipping, why are they entering a market that is pretty full?

 

What market isn't full these days? Trucks, suvs, sedans, Even the sports car market is quickly filling back up. Maybe they should go after the prius?

 

no turbo 4 awd in the lineup??? damnit. not buying it.

 

The Raider's v8 horsepower is laughable, while the new Eclipse seems to be packing a serious punch. How much weight is the new Eclipse going to be gaining from its platform switch?

 

I wouldn't buy a rebadged Dodge Dakota no matter what the price. My wife and I bought a 2000 Dodge Dakota ext cab with the 4.7 V8 back in May.

Keep in mind it had just hit 50,000 miles.

The day after we bought it, ROD KNOCK CITY. The dealers weren't really shocked that the motor was already on its way out. They said the 4.7 V8 was an EXTREMELY low tollerance motor.

I'm sorry but I have a big problem with a motor only getting 50k miles. In this day, thats truly laughable.

 

It's just that the Solstice was a true concept when it was 1st shown, where the Japanese (and Chrysler) tend to show vehicles they are finishing up.

That said, the Solstice IS taking an extremely long time for a company that bragged an 18-24 month idea-to-production capability a year and a half ago.

 

A few months ago i picked up a lady stranded on the side of the road, who had a 2000 something dakota with the v8. She said she heard loud knocking noises for about 5 seconds, then BOOM, a rod went thru the block. I remember her saying it had low mileage

 

Yes...GM is taking its sweet time to release the car...wait...

18 months...thats a year and a half right? 24 months...that would make 2 years right?
So if GM makes this car within the next 6 months...is that not exactly what GM said? 2 years=24 months? Isnt this car hitting the market mid next year? That sounds like 2 years to me.