Mitsubishi 380 2006 Review

It costs almost $9000 less than the top-of-the-range GT but has the same sporty flavour and comes with most of the same equipment.

The power train consists of the same 3.8-litre V6, they share the same five-speed auto (although its optional with VR-X), both get sports suspension and both are also fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, although of a slightly different in design.

You've really got to sit down and pore over the details to separate the two cars, on paper at least.

Our test VR-X was fitted with the optional five-speed auto which adds $1500 to the cost, as well as optional leather upholstery. We're not big fans of leather which always seems to get baking hot in summer and icy cold in winter, but we'd definitely pop for the five-speed auto.

A five-seed manual is standard, but the auto is a sequential so you can change gears manually anyway, making it much a better proposition for day-to-day city traffic.

Both manual and automatic transmissions have been adapted from Magna.

The auto is the same five-speed automatic transmission with sequential gear shift.

However, a new control unit, working with the engine management system, optimises shift speed and quality, adapts to driver style, and automatically compensates for component tolerances and wear.

Although the VR-X and GT share the same power train, the GT we drove appeared to be geared more aggressively, although this is probably just a reflection of the its adaptive ability.

The 3.8 litre 24-valve SOHC V6 engine that develops 175kW power at 5250rpm and 343Nm of torque at 4000rpm. Brakes are the same across the range, with 294mm front discs with two-pot calipers and 284mm rear discs one-pot calipers. ABS with electronic brake force distribution optimises braking effort between front and rear.

Mitsubishi claims the 380 is quicker from 0-100km/h than either a Falcon or Commodore, using either standard or premium unleaded fuel.

Fuel consumption, meanwhile, is a claimed 10.8L/100km, better than the manual at 11.4L/100km. Apart from leather and the auto, VR-X misses out on a sunroof, rear park assist, an auto dimming interior mirror, blue tooth hands-free phone system and illuminated vanity mirrors. The power operated driver's seat is only six-way adjustable compared to the GT's 10-way seat.

On the road the VR-X is an easy car to drive and to live with as a daily means of transport.