Mitsubishi Challenger fast-tracked

The launch of the new mid-sized SUV was brought forward three months from February to this week to time it with the offer, which requires buyers to place orders before the end of this month.

A limited number of PB Challengers are in dealerships now, taking orders with further shipments arriving shortly to ensure delivery.  However, Mitsubishi brand management vice president Paul Unerkov points out that customers do not need to take delivery of their vehicle for another year to be eligible for the tax allowance.

"Most likely they will want to take delivery before the end of June to get the tax advantage in this financial year," he said.

Pricing

It has been almost four years since Australia has had a Mitsubishi Challenger on the market, and the new ones hit the market at a starting list price of $44,490 for the LS five-speed manual. Add $2000 for the five-speed auto and a further $2400 for the auto with seven seats.

The XLS range, available only in automatic, adds leather upholstery, satellite navigation, reverse camera and parking sensors, mud flaps, privacy glass, headlight washers, Bluetooth, upgraded sound system with video input, some exterior and interior bling and five-year premium roadside assistance.  The five-seater XLS costs $56,990 and the third row of seats adds $1600.

Drivetrain

While the previous model was powered by a three-litre petrol engine, this model only comes with the 2.5-litre common-rail turbodiesel powerplant from the Triton.It delivers 131kW of power and 400Nm of torque 2000rpm in the base model manual, but 350Nm of torque at 1800rpm in the four other automatic models.

Although it is built on a new platform, other similarities with the Triton are that it is also built in Thailand, and has the same front suspension, front chassis, transmission, rear axle and Super Select 4WD system.

Mitsubishi Australia CEO and president Robert McEniry says dealer response to the Challenger has been excellent.  "I'm confident we will have success with this model," he says.  "The order lines are open and we have already exceeded our wildest expectations."

Challenger product manager James Toll says that despite the long absence from their range, the name is still well recognised.  "A lot of people still have them and they speak pretty highly of them," he says.

McEniry says the Challenger fits between the Outlander and Pajero, but was not a soft crossover.  "It's not a pretend off-road vehicle like a lot of its competitors," he says. "It has style and is an urban living vehicle but also a real 4WD vehicle. Mitsubishi is the home of 4WD in the Australian market."

Mitsubishi PB Challenger

Price: $44,490-$$58,590
Body: 5-seater wagon (7-seat option in auto)
Engine: 2477cc, 4-cylinder, common-rail turbo diesel
Power: 131kW @ 4000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1800rpm (auto), 400Nm @ 2000rpm (LS manual)
Transmission: 5-speed auto, 5-speed manual (LS), Super Select 4WD, 1.9 low ratio
Economy: 9.8L/100km (auto), 8.3L/100km (LS manual)