Mitsubishi Outlander 2012 News

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Well aware of the white heat of competition in medium SUV sales in Australia, Mitsubishi, one of the original players in the SUV field in Australia, has added features to its Outlander 4WD. Appearance changes are minimal – the fitment of18-inch alloy wheels and a black-coloured roof rail in all models – but equipment changes are generous.The entry level Mitsubishi Outlander has what Mitsubishi tells us is $1500 worth of extras. These include reversing sensors, as well as a camera. Parking reference lines are shown on the central touch-screen.Mitsubishi’s Link audio system provides AM/FM radio, CD and MP3 player, Aux and USB inputs with full iPod control. There’s voice control by way of Bluetooth connectivity for media streaming and free phone use.The mid-level Outlander LS now has the top spec Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS). It uses a larger 7-inch colour touch-screen than that in the base-level. Outlander LS also gets satellite navigation with 3D mapping functionality. There’s SD card input.Also fitted as standard on the LS are automatic headlights and wipers. Mitsubishi tells us these additions to the Outlander LS represent $2500 added value. Outlander Aspire, the topline model, has approximately $5750 worth of extra gear. The biggest addition is a sunroof. Other items include HID headlamps and a powered tailgate. Major safety technology in the Outlander Aspire are Forward Collision Mitigation and Adaptive Cruise Control.Mitsubishi Outlander received a major overhaul in its appearance just 12 months ago. This did away with what some said was too radical a shape of the previous Outlander, instead for a more elegant look. We must admit to having a preference for the older, bolder shape, but Mitsubishi is well aware it’s targeting conservative buyers so probably made the correct decision in going for a neater appearance.It wasn’t just done for the sake of appearance – the co-efficient of drag was reduced from 0.36 to 0.33 to cut fuel consumption and emissions. Our review at the time commented on there being less interior noise because of the smoother flow of air over the body.Inside, the new generation Mitsubishi Outlander has a neat design and uses materials of high quality. The front seats offer good space, the centre row has good legroom and the third row of seats, not fitted to all models, is better suited to children, though adults can use it without being overly cramped.The centre-row seat folds flat in a single motion to add to luggage space. Previously, the seat was tumble-folded in two stages, the new arrangement adds significantly to the length of the cargo that can be carried.Japanese Mitsubishi engineers teamed with Australians to fine tune the Outlander’s suspension and steering in this country – it’s always good to be taken seriously by overseas car makers. Engines are 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol and 2.3-litre turbo-diesel. We find the smaller engine to have marginal performance, particularly if you have a load on board. The others are fine.The Outlander has achieved an ANCAP safety rating of five stars. Active Stability Control is standard across the range and can recognise understeer and oversteer, then applies braking force to the diagonal wheel to assist in keeping the Outlander on-line through corners. Mitsubishi Outlander has proven popular in Australia for many years and this upgraded new model for 2014 seems certain to keep up that tradition due to the increase in value it offers.The complete 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander range is:ES 2.0-litre petrol 2WD: from $27,640 (manual), $29,890 (CVT)ES 2.4-litre petrol AWD: from $32,890 (CVT)ES 2.0-litre petrol 2WD: from $33,490 (CVT)LS 2.4-litre petrol AWD: from $36,490 (CVT)LS 2.2-litre diesel AWD: from $39,490 (automatic)Aspire 2.4-litre petrol AWD: from $43,790 (CVT)Aspire 2.2-litre diesel AWD: from $46,790 (automatic) 

And the new Outlander will be bringing plenty of excitement when it arrives later this year with new engines, a totally new look, premium interior treatment and features and the availability later on of a plug-in hybrid 4WD version that uses a back up internal combustion engine.The new, lighter Outlander has a much smoother look something like a scaled down version of Ford's Territory mixed with the Mitsubishi Challenger.It's handsome from all angles and practical too with seven seat capacity and fold flat seats for improved load carrying capacity. The tailgate is one piece and is available with electric assistance.Rake and reach steering wheel adjustment makes an appearance as does dual zone climate control and optional xenon headlights. A rear vision monitor is likely in all Aussie spec' models while noise, vibration and harshness has been reduced for improved interior comfort levels.Safety equipment is more comprehensive and Mitsu' will offer new Outlander with sophisticated equipment such as adaptive cruise control, collision prevention that automatically applies the brakes and lane departure warning. It will be available with 2WD and 4WD with a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 2.2-litre turbodiesel. The petrol has a five speed manual or CVT and is good for 110kW/195Nm output. It replaces the previous 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol (and the 3.0-litre V6 petrol).The turbodiesel is good for 110kW and 360Nm in six-speed auto form and 110kW/380Nm in six-speed manual. All Outlanders have auto stop and go to optimise city fuel economy.The big news is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) model which uses an electric drive engine for each axle and an internal combustion engine as a generator or EV motor assist through three drive modes."Pure" uses the electric motors alone for propulsion. "Series" uses the twin electric motors for 4WD and the internal combustion engine as support while "Parallel"? uses the internal combustion engine for front wheel drive and the two electrics for 4WD.It's said to be super fuel efficient and offers strong performance over a wide operating range. No price details are yet available.

The days when many buyers wanted a macho image from their 4WDs are over according to the experts at Japanese SUV specialist Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC).Take a look at the lines of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander and you will immediately see how it takes an altogether different approach, with smooth lines that showcase elegance and sophistication rather than off-road ruggedness. Which explains why Mitsubishi chose the Geneva Motor Show to introduce its all-new Outlander to the world's motoring media.The Swiss show is famed for concept cars and cutting edge automotive style, not to mention some way out ideas that are unlikely to ever see the light of day. Where as the about to be discontinued Mitsubishi Outlander featured the company's so-called jet-fighter radiator grille, the new model is about sweet sophistication with a neatly integrated look.The lines of the entire body work well, with an integrated appearance that will impress those who love automotive art. Outlander is the first Mitsubishi with this design language, the company assures us it will not be the last.Indeed, with the exception of the heavy-duty Pajero 4WD and possibly the Triton pickup ranges, it's likely we will see all new-generation Mitsubishis evolve into this new theme. Inside, there's a feeling of sophistication and quality of materials that give the new Outlander a feeling of coming from the upper ranks of European SUVs. The seats are large and comfortable, with good legroom in the rear and plenty of headroom in all seats. The luggage area is large and simple to load.A third row of seats is offered as an option and is likely to be specified for Australia. These extra seats fold down to provide a flat area, with the second row of seats doing the same thing. As a result, even with this extra row of seats installed there's still room for a decent amount of luggage.Outlander's smooth new shape isn't only about style, the Japanese designers have also aimed at less wind noise. This, combined with a stiffer body and other sound reduction measures, should add to the upmarket-European comfort at which the company is aiming.Advanced primary safety systems similar to those used on very expensive European models will be available in the new Outlander, some as standard, others only in the topline models or as extra cost options.These include Adaptive Cruise Control that lets the Mitsubishi keep its distance from the vehicle in front even when its speed varies; Lane Departure Warning that alerts a distracted driver to the fact the car is wandering out of a safe path; and Forward Collision Mitigation which applies the brakes to prevent or minimise crash damage.Mitsubishi says the design of the instrument area and the layout of the controls will minimise the aforementioned driver distraction. Power for the new Outlander will initially come from a pair of engines, one petrol the other a turbo-diesel. Interestingly, the power output is identical in both units at 110 kW.The petrol has a capacity of 2.0 litres the diesel is 10 per cent higher at 2.2 litres. Both are thoroughly modern units aimed at minimal fuel use and exhaust emissions. Amongst other features they have an automatic stop-start system to cut the engine when the vehicle is stationary.Both the petrol and diesel will use a new-generation six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual gearboxes. The latter may not be imported to Australia. A third powerplant, using a plug-in hybrid system, will reinforce Mitsubishi's leading the way in electric vehicle (EV) power.Mitsubishi was the first company to mass produce an electric vehicle and it plans to give the Outlander a range of up to 50 kilometres running on electricity alone. Meaning many commuters will be producing zero tailpipe emissions for days, even weeks, on end.When the Outlander plug-in is used on extended trips Mitsubishi says it should be able to cover 800 km between refills. Australians may not be able to benefit from the plug-in electric Mitsubishi Outlander as the Australian government continues to refuse financial assistance for electric vehicles.