MITSUBISHI Motors Company (MMC) has revealed its new-generation Outlander SUV with the mid-sized household hauler using on an all-new platform, brandishing a recent look and powered by a brand new vary of engines.
On account of arrive Down Beneath later this yr, the fourth-gen Outlander is sort of unrecognisable in comparison with its third-gen predecessor, taking up a a lot blockier exterior design underneath the “Daring Stride” design idea.
Just a few signature MMC cues have remained nonetheless, chief amongst which is the Dynamic Defend entrance finish, albeit the newest model of it.
To explain the brand new Outlander as wanting like a scaled-down Pajero Sport from the entrance and aspect can be greater than cheap nonetheless from the again it resembles a mixture of the outgoing mannequin and the last-generation Lancer hatchback.
In comparison with its predecessor, the brand new Outlander is larger in each dimension, measuring 4710mm lengthy (+15mm), 1862mm large (+51mm) and 1748mm tall (+38mm) with the physique using on a 2706mm wheelbase (+36mm).
The results of this progress is a rise in inside house nonetheless MMC is but to verify precisely how a lot apart from a 35mm improve in shoulder room.
Beneath the pores and skin, the brand new platform has been designed with ruggedness and occupant security in thoughts with greater brakes in all 4 corners in addition to a stiffer general suspension set-up.
The Tremendous All-Wheel Management all-wheel-drive system (on AWD variants) has been upgraded too with an enlargement of the energetic yaw-control to the rear axle in addition to the entrance.
Aiding the dealing with additional is the brand new, sooner electromechanical steering which now turns from lock to lock in 2.6 turns versus the present 3.3.
To get essentially the most out of the car each on and off-road, two-wheel-drive variants are fitted with 5 distinct drive modes – regular, eco, tarmac (sport), gravel and snow – all selectable from a brand new rotary selector on the centre console.
All-wheel drives step issues up with an additional ‘mud’ mode.
Beneath the bonnet of preliminary choices is a brand new 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine set to be shared – together with the platform – with the next-generation Nissan X-Path, growing 135kW of energy and 245Nm of torque, marking an 11kW/25Nm enchancment over the present 2.4-litre engine.
That energy is distributed to the wheels by way of a brand new shift-by-wire repeatedly variable transmission that includes an ‘eight-speed’ sport mode.
Greater than only a energy improve, MMC says the brand new engine and transmission mixture is 2.6 per cent extra gas environment friendly that the present set-up on the WLTP cycle.
Contained in the cabin, the inside structure has been modified maybe extra drastically than the outside with a brand new 8.0- or 9.0-inch (variant dependant) infotainment touchscreen sitting prominently on the prime of the dashboard.
Beneath the brand new display in a skinny row of air vents, underlined by a full-width trim piece and the local weather management switchgear.
In entrance of the motive force can be both a semi-analogue instrument cluster cut up by a 7.0-inch digital show or a 12.3-inch all-digital set-up with full customisation relying on the trim stage.
The centre console is left virtually solely for the gear lever, drive mode selector, park brake and auto-hold button in addition to a set of cupholders.
Whereas Australian pricing and specification particulars are but to be revealed, MMC has confirmed a few of the commonplace gear highlights of the North American Outlanders (the primary market it should arrive in).
Three-zone local weather management, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up show, Mitsubishi Join, 10-speaker Bose sound system, wi-fi smartphone charging, 40:20:40 split-folding second row, rear door sunshade in addition to the aforementioned driver and infotainment shows are all fitted as commonplace.
Seat upholstery with be made up of cloth (ES), suede (SE), semi-aniline leather-based (SEL Touring) and real leather-based (SEL).
Security tech on the North American automobiles in the meantime consists of adaptive cruise, lane preserve help and 11 airbags.
MMC chief government officer Takao Kato mentioned the brand new Outlander has been “crafted right into a dependable SUV with considerably upgraded styling, street efficiency, and a high-quality really feel to fulfill the wants of consumers who need to increase their horizons and tackle challenges of each form”.
The model bought 979 examples of the present Outlander final month, accounting for 7.7 per cent of the crowded sub-$60,000 medium SUV phase in comparison with the 1003 items it shifted in January 2020.
