Mitsubishi Endeavor 2008

According to Edumunds review, the Endeavor is a midsize crossover SUV from Mitsubishi that combines smart styling with lots of room for five people and their gear. It combines the elevated seating position and hauling ability of a traditional SUV with a smoother, more carlike ride and better fuel economy. But as with most crossovers, it lacks the serious off-road and heavy-duty towing abilities of a truck-based SUV.

photo credits: http://www.autospectator.com/

The Mitsubishi Endeavor is based on vehicle architecture that's shared with Mitsubishi's Galant sedan and Eclipse coupe. There are two trim levels: LS and SE. Both trims are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 225 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission with a trendy manual shift mode is standard.

You can choose from the four-wheel drive model or the all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models are equipped with standard stability control, which supplements the traction control that is standard on all Endeavors. Stability control is unavailable on front-wheel-drive models, a notable omission. However, the Endeavor is equipped with standard rollover-sensing side curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Endeavor earned high marks for crashworthiness in both government and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing.

photo credits: autos.yahoo.com

Whether off-road or on the road, Edmund notes that the Endeavor scores high marks -- thanks to the multipurpose car/SUV platform that it shares with the Galant and Eclipse. The review goes further by saying that "while the 3.8-liter engine offers less power than most competitors, it does boast a wide and flat torque curve, yielding energetic performance that belies its hp numbers. However, the four-speed automatic seems outdated in a segment where five- and even six-speed transmissions, and their attendant enhancements to performance and fuel economy, are becoming the norm. Maximum cargo capacity is also disappointing at 76.4 cubic feet, and the lack of a third-row seat diminishes the Endeavor's appeal for families. "

photo credits: autos.yahoo.com

On the safety side, side airbags became standard on all models in 2005, and antilock brakes were optional on base models until '06. Side curtain airbags were added to the standard features list in '07. Traction control became standard across the lineup for '08.

Personally, this strikes me as an interesting SUV -- not to mention an attractive one. Definitely worth looking into.

Crisis?

Aside from the US Presidential elections, the one worry that has been hovering over the consumer's daily existence is the financial crisis that has Wall Street reeling. Now what has got to do with the automotive industry? A lot.

The crisis that started with the US sub prime has wound its way to the world's financial markets with some of the strongest financial institutions finding themselves in the brink of bankruptcy. And now we are starting to hear talks of automotive companies laying of hundreds of its workers to cope with the crises. Demand for new SUVs have also plummeted to an all-time low.

In an article by Joe Lorio, he noted "the faltering economy and now the credit crisis have pretty much choked off sales of the remainder of the market."

"While August saw the pain spread to all major brands, save Infiniti, Mini, Nissan, Subaru, and VW, in September, every one of those holdouts found themselves underwater, too. The only nameplates to post gains in September were tiny niche players: Maserati (up 30%), Lotus (up by 3 cars - yes, 3), Lamborghini (by 2), and Rolls-Royce (by 1)," Lorio writes.

Well, we can only hope it gets better. There are so many good SUVs out there waiting to be purchased -- some have even been featured in this blog.

That is just my quick thought on the financial crisis and the automotive industry. Next time, I promise to write about SUVs for real.

“The Iguana” The New Breed In Off Road Vehicles

It's been a while since I haven't posted in this blog of mine. I've been busy these days working with my 4x4 related websites. But now that I'm back its time to kick things off with my featured off-road vehicle for today which is far different compared to you daily ride.

Have you ever seen a vehicle that is made based on an exotic animal? Oh well, that's what I'm going to feature in this post. An off-road vehicle with the concept of imitating an "Iguana", unusual isn't it. This vehice is custom built for the local trails and tough enough for the tourism trade The IGUANA runs ahead of the field. “They’re designed to do things other trucks can not do.” Not only to travel off road but to rumble through the jungle, climb over fallen trees and scurry through up to three feet of water.

The Iguana like its cold-blooded counterpart is adaptable to many different climates and terrains. These sturdy trucks easily chew through miles of rough terrain including mud, rocks, downed trees, snow, and sand, even water up to three feet deep. Currently, these trucks are being constructed for use in the tourism trade within the Caribbean jungles and mountains and Mexican sand dunes, as well as for private individuals.

Ultimate Rides is committed to making their vehicles as eco friendly as possible. That’s why each truck begins with a recycled 4-wheel drive chassis. A custom designed roll cage provides safety and the dry cell battery and low-tox antifreeze helps keep these trucks environmentally friendly. Ultimate Rides also offers propane and butane conversion kits as an alternative fuel source.
The trucks are extremely versatile and very easy to operate, durable and sturdy, and built with non-proprietary parts. Recognizing that “one size does not fit all” each truck is available with many options and customized to fit almost anyone’s needs, terrain, and theme. The IGUANA is available in two, four, and five passenger models.

Ultimate Rides, manufacturers of the Iguana, started out as a business that has grown out of Wayne’s Welding, a company started by Wayne and Linda Weich in 1977. Wayne a certified, master welder and custom fabricator has always had a knack for engine building and modification, and was soon sought after by many to build engines with extra horsepower. Wayne passed his passion for cars and custom fabricating on to his son Chris and it wasn’t long before a new business was born.