“This award is not only a great honor,” explains Pat Fitzgibbon, President of Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi.  “It tells us that we are doing our jobs well.”

The Fitzgibbon family has been serving the automotive needs of Chicagoans in the Southern Suburbs since the mid 1980’s.  It was no surprise when Pat Fitzgibbon invested in a Mitsubishi franchise in 2009.

“Our partnership with Mitsubishi has been absolutely outstanding,” explains Fitzgibbon.  Mitsubishi has been on a roll creating a variety of great vehicles that are extremely affordable and get phenomenal gas mileage.  This allows us as a dealership to give our customers many options at affordable prices.  The end result is customer satisfaction.  Who can ask for more than that?”

For more information about Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi and the Diamond Chapter of Excellence Award, please contact Bob Cuban at (708) 362-5252.

The Outlander Sport joins another popular Mitsubishi Motors vehicle offering – the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer compact sport sedan (except Ralliart and Evolution) – in the elite company of production cars to achieve the Insurance Institute’s highest marks for vehicle crash testing.

In order for a production vehicle to be named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute, a car must earn a “good” rating in the organization’s crash test analysis. The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport received a “good” test score in the following key areas of evaluation:

• Front impact crash testing
• Side impact crash testing
• Roof strength test results
• Rear crash protection/head restraint ratings

With a starting MSRP of only $18,795, the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport provides comfortable and roomy seating for five, is powered by a capable 148 horsepower 4-cylinder engine that achieves an EPA-rated 25 mpg city/31 mpg highway and features energy-saving technologies including Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and a specially-designed high-efficiency alternator. Available options include an advanced Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT), panoramic glass roof, 9-speaker Rockford-Fosgate® premium audio system, HDD navigation system and Mitsubishi’s legendary All Wheel Control (AWC) all-wheel drive system.

For more information about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, please log on to media.mitsubishicars.com and for more on the 2012 Outlander Sport’s “Top Safety Pick” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), please visit iihs.org.

About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. In November of 2011, MMNA launched the battery-powered electric vehicle Mitsubishi i as part of a corporate mission to offer consumers more environmentally responsible modes of transportation. This battery-powered electric vehicle technology addresses the need for vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions and support a growing agenda for sustainability. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

By the time Mitsubishi finally brought the Lancer Evolution VIII to our shores in 2003, I had already logged countless hours behind the wheel (OK, controller) of my very own Grand Turismo version Evo. I had fallen hard and wanted one — badly. So I did what every automotive enthusiast has done since the dawn of time: I bought the closest thing to it I could afford.

In this case, I channeled my inner Evo through a car that was actually fairly close to the real deal, a shiny black Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. Both cars have high-output turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive, both were capable of covering vast distances with great pace, and both wound up reserving their own little spot in my heart.

By William Walker (Motor Trend 3/14/2012 online)

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible.

Here’s how the 2012 Lancer Evolution did in Cars.com’s Car Seat Check:

Latch system: The Evolution has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard seats. The anchors are easy to find and use, thanks to sizable slits in the upholstery. Three tether anchors sit on the rear shelf behind the backseat’s head restraints. The easy-to-use tethers are under hinged plastic covers.

Booster seat: Our high-back booster fit well in the backseat. The seat bolsters helped to keep it in place. However, the seat belt buckle was floppy and kept falling behind the booster seat.

Convertible seat: Both the forward- and rear-facing convertible fit well in the Evolution. This was somewhat surprising because the Evolution’s rear seats have roughly 3 inches less legroom than its sibling, the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Infant-safety seat: The front row’s Recaro-brand sport seats have significant seatback bulges that interfered with the fit of our rear-facing infant seat. To get this car seat to fit, we had to move the front passenger seat forward a lot and adjust the seatback’s angle forward. This left the front passenger uncomfortable, with her knees pushing into the glove box.

How many car seats fit in the second row? Two

Editor’s note: For three car seats — infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats — to fit in a car, our criterion is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.

By Jennifer Newman (cars.com 3/13/2012 online)

The tested Evo GSR is a handsome, crisply-styled sports sedan that is pricey, almost too powerful for its own good and yet, I loved driving it.

It’s based on Mitsubishi’s tame entry-level Lancer, which starts at $15,695 in DE trim. But Evo is miles from being an entry-level machine.

The racecar-like turbo-equipped Evo starts at $34,495 and with two option packages, and a delivery fee, hit $39,190.

Mitsubishi takes its fairly peppy base 2.0-liter, 148 horsepower I4 and adds a turbocharger and intercooler to jack that up to 291 horsepower. This one also features an alloy engine block and alloy cylinder heads for less weight and more power.

Evo runs on premium fuel and burns it pretty quickly. I managed just 17.3 mpg, including about 50% highway time. EPA rates this at 17 mpg city and 23 highway.

The Evo features a control system that gives all the wheels some power at times. The system manages Mitsubishi’s Active Center Differential, Active Yaw Control, Active Stability Control and its ABS system. The goal is balancing steering control and traction for better handling, and it works beautifully.

Steering is extremely crisp and responsive. But the ride is harsh.

The Evo’s younger target demographic may not mind that so much, as the turbo makes the Evo absolutely explode from a stop and the all-wheel control system keeps its wheels grabbing pavement as it rockets forward.

Mitsubishi’s five-speed manual transmission is easy to slip through its gears, although the throws are longer than I had expected. Most cars now are going with six-speed manuals, and at 70 mph this one is still revving at about 3,400 rpm, a bit much. Adding another gear would allow you to save some gas and lower the engine strain at highway speeds.

Still, the Lancer is extremely easy to drive.

I like Evo’s no-nonsense dash that delivers simple gauges and controls.

The leather Recaro seats are snug, fitted and comfortable. Yet they are not powered, and there is no pump handle to raise the driver’s seat height or adjust the lower cushion’s angle. There are two-speed heaters on both front seats. There’s no navigation system, which seems odd at this price, although I didn’t miss having it.

The automatic climate control worked well and cranked out heat quickly. Another option package upgraded the stereo to a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate system with nine speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer. The package costs $2,100.

All that stereo equipment eats into the car’s trunk space. It’s an extremely modest 7 cubic feet.

Practical the Evo is not. But if you have a need for speed, this Lancer version will satisfy it.

Review by Mark Savage (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal 3/9/2012 online)

The Laner Ralliart is a performance enhanced version of Mitsubishi’s Lancer Sedan. Though the Lancer sedan isn’t designed to be a performance sports coupe, the Ralliart is; and, it doesn’t miss the mark. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor, the Ralliart has 237 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque on tap. That’s nearly as many horsepower as the Evo, at a fraction of the cost at Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi.

Not only does the Ralliart rival the Evo’s power output, it also offers the same all-wheel-drive system, which is full-time and driver-adjustable. The Ralliart’s all wheel drive provides an added measure of safety on slick and icy roads.

The responsive handling and quick acceleration round out the properly sporty feel of the Laner Ralliart. The ride is stiff enough to feel the contours of the road – including the bumps – but this is the essence of a true sports car; thus, the sensitivity to the road is a fitting feature. Though fuel economy isn’t the Ralliart’s best characteristic, neither does it consume gas at an unforgivable rate.

As for design, the Ralliart’s exterior is more conservative than the Evo’s, lacking the huge rear wing and oversized and brightly painted brake calipers. Instead, it sports a more subdued rear spoiler and a functional ducted hood that provides cool air to the turbocharger. The interior appointments are a touch spartan, but feel purpose built. The front Recaro racing seats keep driver and passenger firmly in place on hard turns.

Overall, the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart offers a viable, not to mention more affordable, alternative to the Evo and other similarly priced sport coupes. Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi, your Mitsubishi Illinois dealer, invites you to the showroom to experience the new Lancer Ralliart.

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport won a major honor from US News in 2011. This vehicle was top ranked in the Best Car for the Money 2011: Best Compact Crossover division of the paper’s annual auto awards. With a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon in average city driving and 31 miles per gallon on the highway, this crossover is far more efficient than the typical sports utility vehicle. Although the exterior of this automobile is streamlined for maximum aerodynamics, the interior is roomy enough for five Chicago Mitsubishi passengers to sit comfortably. This car’s roomy interior makes it perfect for Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi families. The excellent fuel economy will save commuters money on their daily trips. Mitsubishi’s dedication to safety is apparent in this product, which has active stability control, anti-lock brakes with an override feature, an engine-immobilizer anti-theft system and a seven airbag safety system. With this car, new Mitsubishi drivers can save on gas without sacrificing luxury or security.

Shoppers who want to save money on fuel can purchase a 2011 Outlander Sport Crossover at Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi. The Outlander Sport’s fantastic fuel economy means that savings on gas will be passed on directly to car owners. With gas prices hovering well above three dollars per gallon throughout the Chicago area, a higher mileage per gallon can translate to thousands of dollars in savings over this vehicle’s lifetime. The 2011 Outlander Sport Crossover comes with a 10-year/100,000 mile limited warranty, so this car will keep working for years. Buyers who want to stay safe can purchase additional warranties on their new vehicle. Chicago residents looking for a stylish, comfortable Mitsubishi can save money with a brand new Outlander Sport Crossover.

The town of Normal, Illinois has been positively influenced by it’s Mitsubishi factory for years, and in preparation for some forward-thinking changes at Chicagoland Mitsubishi dealers, the company has begun to spur the new Normal. One thousand fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles will soon hit the streets of this historical suburb, along with related charging stations within the town’s limits. These changes are sure to inspire the world, and give Illinois Mitsubishi and Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi owners yet another aspect to be proud of in their purchase.

Mitsubishi has always been at the forefront of automotive design, which Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi, your Illinois Mitsubishi dealer prides themselves on. As a car manufacturer they have spearheaded a variety of innovations, and was responsible for the first Japanese produced car nearly one hundred years ago. This penchant for recreating transportation now culminates in the electric car market, which many manufacturers have chosen to ignore, or to simply put less of their efforts toward. The iMiev vehicle uses a lithium ion battery to effect a charge, and lasts for hours on end. This car premiered a year ahead of schedule due to its high demand and excellent design, and now a similar model is being put forth to the town of Normal. Residents will be the first to show off this car’s excellence to a global audience, and Chicagoland Mitsubishi dealers will soon be offering vehicles of a comparable standard. For now, the company is continuing its high-class fuel vehicles, as well as excellent multi-year warranties and timely sales that the have propelled Mitsubishi to the forefront of its industry.

Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi has always responded to the changes of the automotive market, and will continue to do so now and into the future. This dealership will have a close eye on Normal as it proves once again that Mitsubishi is a keen innovator. For now, its showroom floor will keep the latest vehicles, polished and ready for a test drive, while still keeping space open for the next generation of electric, hybrid, and alternate energy vehicles.

This football season, Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi wants you to tailgate in style. The new 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander has your needs covered. USA Today lists it as one of the 5 Best New Vehicles for Tailgating. This crossover vehicle may come across as a compact SUV, but you will be amazed by all that it has to offer.

A spacious interior features easy seating for 5 of your favorite sports fans as well as available third row seating. Plenty of cargo space allows you to pack in the cooler, grill, and other party paraphernalia. And while your tailgating party will be optimized by the versatility and function of this vehicle, you can’t ignore the fact that this stylish car rides like a performance sedan and gets you to the game with optimal safety features.

The real beauty of tailgating on the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander is that it is the only crossover SUV of its kind that has a fold down tailgate. The tailgate opens under the cover of the cargo door so you will be shielded from whatever weather these Chicago skies might deliver. And what other vehicle can offer actual comfort in a tailgate? The Outlander features a clamshell style that is easy to sit on. Not to mention that the cargo bed and tailgate open relatively low to the ground to increase comfort and ease of loading and unloading.

At Oak Lawn Mitsubishi and Tinley Park Mitsubishi, Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi, your Chicago Mitsubishi dealer, we know that our dedicated football fans will venture out in sun, snow or rain. And we’ve got you covered. Come in to your local Mitsubishi Dealer and check out this great new addition to the sporting tradition of tailgating. And we know your next party will be the pride of the parking lot.

Ten years ago saw the first really green cars roll of the factory lines, with models like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. Those cars were exciting and certainly environmentally friendly, but they were at their cores still reliant on the polluting internal combustion engine. The newest models of green cars are boasting power sources that produce no noxious, polluting exhaust fumes. The new electric cars like the Tesla Roadster, the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi iMiev are changing the face of the automotive world. Of these, the Mitsubishi iMiev is the most exciting car.

Available at the south suburban Chicago Mitsubishi dealer, Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi, the iMiev is breaking new ground in the electric car world. Retailing at a little over $30,000, the iMiev allows its owners to completely break away from their dependence on gasoline for transportation. It is powered by a 330 volt electric battery pack that powers a 49 kilowatt electric motor. This electric motor produces 66 horsepower, which is more than enough to give this low weight vehicle plenty of zip.

The Mitsubishi iMiev will take passengers from 0 to 50 kilometers per hour in roughly ten seconds. While not blazing fast, it is more than adequate for the average driver. This electric vehicle that can be found at the Mitsubishi dealer Chicago, Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi, has a range of 96 miles between charges. This means that, while the iMiev may not be practical for any out of town trips, it is an ideal commuter vehicle. Those who find themselves doing the majority of their driving around town will find the iMiev is perfect for their needs.

Customers can check out all the excitement that the Mitsubishi iMiev is generating at their south suburban Mitsubishi dealer, Pat Fitzgibbon’s Mitsubishi.