Right, it is now time to check out an all new Mitsubishi model and this one's rather different than what you've expected to be...
It's a crossover, it's Mitsubishi's answer to the Subaru Forester, and it's a seven seater. Yes. It's called the
Outlander. When it was launched in Japan in 2005 as a replacement to the Mitsubishi Airtrek (2001-2005), this crossover is somewhat a Lancer with some extra seats, and made for family use. That was been around for seven years now with absolutely no further changes whatsoever. Yep, the Outlander though, is the only Japanese SUV that had few significant changes for several years, I think...until now....
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| 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander |
Because, yes, it's a full model change. This really is it. The all new 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, the crossover redefined to be safer, fuel efficient, and more practical. One thing that I didn't noticed it that it kinda looked like a whale. Yep, the new Outlander's exterior design kinda looks like a whale of a blubber. Seems that the design are gone for a little "Free Willy". Get it? Free Willy! Anyway, enough of the whale stuff because someone's going to get mad about this story. Let's check out a few pointers between the new generation Outlander.
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| 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander interior |
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| 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander interior |
Joy of joys, the interior is all new, unlike the previous model's interior which is a bit dull, pointy, and feels like there's nothing to do. You can fit up to seven people, there's the Rockford Fosgate PRemium Sound System (DTS Neural SurroundTM, 9-speaker), Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) on more expensive models, a well-mannered speedometer (that reads up to 180kph, much like most Japanese cars of today), 4WD mode can be engaged at the push of the button, and then the gear lever that takes advantage of its INVECS-III 6-speed Sport Mode CVT. Oh wait! There's some paddle shifters on the new Outlander as well! What Mitsubishi just did is made the new Outlander a premium blend of luxuriousness and sportiness in a crossover.
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| 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander |
4WD models of the Outlander comes with the 4J12 2.4-liter MIVEC engine while 2WD models come with the 4J11 2.0-liter MIVEC engine. Both of these engine types come with the Auto Stop & Go feature as featured in the new Mirage, Galant Fortis, RVR, and Delica D:5, therefore the one with the 4J12 engine will have a fuel economy of 14.4km/L while the one with the 4J11 engine on it has 15.2km/L. They're all based on JC08 Test Cycle so if you are asking what's the true fuel economy for this one, it's the JC08 that matters. That's it. JC08. In the past, the 10-15 Mode was used to measure the fuel economy of Japanese vehicles but in 2011, the term JC08 was used to measure a Japanese car's fuel economy.
4WD models of the Outlander do come with Mitubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), the feature that you got from the current Evo X. It integrates management of its Active Center Differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability Control (ASC), and Sports ABS components, while adding braking force control to Mitsubishi Motors' own AYC system, making the new Outlander a little less complicating to drive.
If safety is what matters, the new 2013 Outlander now comes with something that is similar to Subaru's Eyesight system and that name, not to be confused with General Motors' eco-car stuff applied on the Buick LaCrosse, Alpheon, Buick Regal, and Chevrolet Malibu Eco, is called e-assist. How does e-assist work? It's simple, e-assist uses millimeter-wavelength radar as well as a camera to further increase driving safety and peace of mind. It also acts like a Volvo S60 because of its braking system from the e-assist, which halts the car automatically when it's near collision. That's very simple, and very clever, but be careful though. This auto-braking feature from the Outlander's E-assist may sometimes not work so driving concentration and alertness is needed.
I like to be deadly serious for a moment. This is the most well-mannered Outlander ever made despite the design that looks like a whale. However, there is a problem. It's not a mechanical problem, it's Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. They said they have no plans to bring the all new model yet. Back then, the previous models been offered but because of its strong yen, Mitsubishi Philippines axed the Outlander and focus on the ASX and the Montero Sports. Which means, that if you're a kid, you'll never have a thrill of having yourself at the back seat, enjoying this new model. Good thing, it's not as sad as the previous model we have.
Available colors: Copper Metallic, White Pearl, Titanium Metallic, Cool Silver MEtallic, Cosmic Blue Metallic and Black Mica.
PRICE LIST:
2.0 20G - 2,427,000 Yen
2.4 24G 4WD - 2,692,000 Yen
2.4 24G Safety Package 4WD - 2,787,000 Yen
2.4 24G Navi Package 4WD - 3,100,000 Yen
Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
