Mitsubishi’s next-gen Outlander makes its debut with sweeping upgrades and a new look.
Media Alert: Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi has unveiled the new, next-generation Outlander with similar interior seating for up to seven but an overhaul of the tech and underpinnings.
Available in Australia later this year, the new Outlander is set to be distinguished on the road with sharp new styling.
“Based on the product concept ’I-Fu-Do-Do’, which means authentic and majestic in Japanese, the all-new Outlander has been crafted.
With a complete upgrade, the all-new Outlander is the fourth generation of the series. Styling is is inspired with the next generation Dynamic Shield front face, large diameter 20-inch wheels, fenders and bold proportions. It sits on a newly developed platform and 2.5L engine, updated electronically-controlled 4WD and S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) system, and newly developed drive mode selector all contribute to the safe and secure road performance.
The cabin space features an enhanced feeling of quality and convenience through a high-quality interior, comfortable three-row seven seats, liquid crystal meter displays, and a new wireless smartphone charging function.
Through three generations in Australia, the total sales volume has reached 167,575.
The newly developed platform improves collision safety performance and achieves a high level of steering stability. For the first time Mitsubishi Motors has used an ultra-high tensile strength steel sheet with hot stamping around the cabin to create a high-strength cabin structure with little deformation while also achieving weight reduction.
The newly developed 2.5-litre petrol engine improves maximum output by 8.9 percent and fuel efficiency (WLTC mode) by 2.6 percent over the previous model.
For the 4WD model, electronically-controlled 4WD incorporating a hydraulic clutch driven by an electric motor is used in the center-coupling device that conducts front and rear torque distribution. The front and rear wheels can be strongly restrained from when the vehicle is stopped, so the rear wheel drive force is generated at the moment of start off.
The 4WD model is equipped with an improved S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system. The Brake AYC (Active Yaw Control) is adopted on the rear wheels as well, making it possible to provide front and rear wheel distributed control. Sensors detect the steering angle, yaw rate, driving torque, brake pressure, wheel speed, and other factors to continuously and correctly identify driver operation and vehicle status. When turning, the Brake AYC optimizes the difference in drive force and braking force among the front and rear, right and left wheels to improve tyre grip.
The all-new Outlander is equipped with drive modes that allow the driver to select the vehicle driving characteristics that are optimal for a variety of operation styles and driving situations. There are six modes for 4WD models and five modes for 2WD models. The mode selector in the center console can be used to select the drive mode for choosing the road situation and Eco mode for choosing the operation style.
The settings for the drive mode are Normal for normal driving, Tarmac for sporty driving on paved roads, Gravel for high traction performance and stability on unpaved roads, Snow for snowy and other slippery roads, and Mud to increase the road handling ability on muddy roads, in deep snow and similar conditions.
Inside, an instrument panel with a powerful horizontal tone gives the vehicle a spacious and roomy look while producing a functional form that makes it easy to see the changes in the vehicle position. The upper part is covered with a soft padding wrapped in leather, and stitching has been applied. The door panels feature a large area of door inserts, and the same soft padding as the instrument panel and floor console sides is used to create a high-quality and comfortable space.
The interior colour variations for the Premium-level vehicle feature genuine leather seats of light gray and black. The instrument panel and door trim are the same colour, and real aluminium is used in the shift panel. Saddle tan accent colour and semi-aniline leather seats are also available as an option for the P-Line. The Mid-range vehicle features black suede combination seats and piano black interior material, while the Standard vehicle offers light gray or black fabric material seats and piano black interior material.
The front seats have a two-layer urethane structure to ensure the seats are comfortable the moment they are sat on and to reduce fatigue during long trips. Roominess and comfortability is enhanced by widening the body and increasing the legroom of the first and second-row seats. In addition, features such as seat heaters, 3-zone automatic climate control, and rear door sunshades are available depending on the trim level to make the rear seats more comfortable for a family SUV.
There are two types of meters depending on the trim level. The 12.3-inch full digital driver display equipped with a Mitsubishi Motors’ first full-screen, full-colour liquid crystal display shows a variety of contents on a large screen with clarity without appearing cluttered. The display is also equipped with a customization function that allows a variety of information to be freely combined and displayed.
Another high-contrast meter with a 7-inch multi-information display can show simple arrow navigation in the central information display.
TOn offer again are up to seven seats. The seats can be flexibly arranged with multiple configurations to suit the number of passengers and their luggage. The second-row seats have a sliding and reclining function, as well as a 4:2:4 split division, allowing two adult passengers to comfortably sit in the second row even when carrying long items such as skis.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) supports driving operation by maintaining the distance between vehicles and keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane. Vehicles equipped with navigation link system can read the speed signs to automatically change the set speed and utilize the navigation map information to automatically adjust the vehicle speed to that appropriate for curves and forks in freeways and other situations. To reduce troublesome setting operations while driving in heavy traffic on expressways, the vehicle can automatically move forward within about 30 seconds after stopping.
For the airbags, a front center airbag for the driver’s seat and side airbags for the second-row seats are standard equipped, and a total of 11 airbags are installed. In case of a side collision, the front center airbag deploys between the driver’s seat and front passenger seat.