FORGET REAL-WORLD launches; now it’s all about on-line reveals and teases.
Latest to join the trend is Mitsubishi who launched the new Outlander on Amazon Live, making it the first (and no doubt, far from the last) automobile launched on the platform.
“Based on the product concept ’I-Fu-Do-Do’, which means authentic and majestic in Japanese (and sounds like something completely different in English!), the all-new Outlander has been crafted into a reliable SUV with significantly upgraded styling, road performance, and a high-quality feel to satisfy the needs of customers who want to expand their horizons and take on challenges of every kind,” said Takao Kato, chief executive officer of MMC.
With a complete upgrade, the all-new Outlander is the fourth generation of the series. Styling emphasizes its powerful sense of presence with the next generation Dynamic Shield front face, large diameter 20-inch wheels, fenders and bold proportions. Newly developed platform and 2.5-litre 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, the Outlander has been highly recognized for its utility and road performance as an SUV, as well as its eco-friendliness and economy. In Australia, the total sales volume has reached 167,575 in Australia.
Heritage-inspired design
The strong, horizontal-themed proportion from front to rear, the contrast of broad and powerful surface and character lines with sharp edges, as well as the large-diameter 20-inch wheels and overhanging fenders that emphasize the wide body are design cues for the new Outlander.
The next generation Dynamic Shield that expresses strong performance and protection of both the people and the car further emphasizes the all-new Outlander’s power as an SUV. The daytime running lights and turn signals were positioned in the upper part and given a thin, sharp shape to improve their visibility by oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. The headlights were placed beneath them toward the outside to illuminate the road more brightly and emphasize the wide body.
A hexagon motif mimicking having been cut from a single shape was inspired by the rear-mounted spare tyre of the iconic Pajero, and the upper part expresses stability while the lower part shows the high road performance as an SUV. Further, the horizontal-themed T-shaped taillights emphasize the wide look of the body and stability.
The body colours come in Mitsubishi Motors’ unique high-brightness paint Diamond Series, Red Diamond and White Diamond, and Black Diamond is newly added to the line-up. Black Diamond is a special colour consisting of three coats, and a high-density shiny layer containing glass is added to make the vehicle appear jet black when not lit but then emits a powerful sparkle when struck by light. Also available are six basic colours for a total selection of nine body colours.
Rugged engineering maximizes performance and driver confidence
The newly developed platform greatly 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. Adopting connected cyclic structures around the engine compartment and cabin increased flexural and torsional rigidity of the body over that of the previous model. The multi-link suspension and dual pinion electric power steering achieve high-quality ride comfort while also providing operability with a direct, linear feel. This greatly improves traceability during cornering as well as linear stability and provides driving pleasure.
The newly developed 2.5-litre petrol engine improves maximum output by 8.9 percent and fuel efficiency by 2.6 percent over the previous model. Torquey and powerful at low-to-medium RPM but smooth and easy-to-handle at high RPM means the driver can enjoy pleasant city trips to fun sporty driving. An 8-speed sport mode CVT is used for the transmission. The step shift control changes speeds crisply like a multi-stage automatic transmission, with powerful and agile acceleration
For the 4WD model, electronically-controlled 4WD incorporating a hydraulic clutch driven by an electric motor is used in the centre-coupling device that distributes torque front and rear.
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 to allow the driver to steer as desired. In the 2WD model, Brake AYC for front and rear wheel distributed control was also employed to achieve integrated control with ASC (Active Stability Control) and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to maintain driving stability on a variety of road surfaces.
The all-new Outlander is equipped with drive modes that allow the driver to select the vehicle driving characteristics 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 centre 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. The drive modes bring out the high road handling of 4WD models and also increase the potential of 2WD models to provide a sense of security and reliability while driving. When a mode is selected, an image representing the driving situation is displayed in the meter to allow the driver to intuitively select a mode.
A comfortable sanctuary for the whole family
A linear instrument panel with a powerful horizontal tone 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 for a high-quality feel. 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 grey 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 grey 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 are enhanced by a wider body and increased 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.
There are two types of display 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 7-inch multi-information display can show simple arrow navigation in the central information display. It utilizes the high recognition advantage of an analogue display while producing a high-quality look with a stereoscopic dial and decorated indicator needle.
For certain trim levels, a large 9-inch screen is used for the centre display and is equipped with Smartphone-link Display Audio navigation system. This smoothly provides highly accurate route information using internal maps and navigation functions. A variety of functions including navigation and audio can easily be selected with one touch of the launch menu icon that is always displayed at the bottom of the screen. By connecting to Android smartphone or iPhone, users can also enjoy the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay applications. Functions for receiving the latest traffic information or updating software online are also planned for the near future.
To provide driving information safely and more quickly, for the first time Mitsubishi Motors has installed a windshield-type 10.8-inch Head-Up Display (HUD). Drivers can manually select ON/OFF for this HUD and customize the displayed contents. In addition to driving information and warnings, such as lane departure, the displayed contents include navigation and audio information through a link with the centre display, and multiple types of information can be displayed at the same time.
The all-new Outlander is equipped with a Bose sound system consisting of 10 speakers. Large door woofers with dual subwoofers provide powerful deep bass and a high-quality sound.
The all-new Outlander is a family SUV that offers three-row, seven seats, which is unique in its class. 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.
Space for storing smartphones is provided in the centre console tray, centre console side pockets, driver’s seat back pocket, and quarter trim pockets. The centre console tray also has a wireless phone charging function (15W) that charges smartphones. USB charging ports Types C and A are provided, respectively, on the front and back of the centre console.
Advanced driver-assistance system and safety features
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) support driving operation by maintaining the distance between vehicles and keeping the vehicle in the centre of the lane. Vehicles equipped with navigation link system can read speed signs to automatically change the set speed and utilize the navigation map information to automatically adjust the vehicle speed for curves and forks in expressways 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 centre 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 centre airbag deploys between the driver’s seat and front passenger seat.
Operation by smartphone can be used to display the vehicle’s parked position or to cause the vehicle’s lights to flash to show where it is parked. Many convenient functions are provided, such as remote operation that can be used to start the engine and turn on the air conditioner before getting in, as well as unlocking the doors from a remote location. To manage driving by families, the user can also receive notices when the vehicle is driven outside of a set time period, above a set speed, or outside a set area.
Australian release details have not yet been announced. seniordriveraus will bring you more information as it comes to hand