Mitsubishi Outlander
If Mitsubishis Outlander is a compact Freelander-sized 4x4 youve never come across, then youre not alone. Not many people bought the first generation version but that should change with the latest model were looking at here. Unlike its predecessor, it looks great and, even more significantly, comes with advanced diesel power. It seems this is a car we should now be paying attention to.
First shown in Europe at the 2006 Paris Show, the Outlander-Concept gave some unsubtle hints as to what we could expect from a production-ready vehicle. Pride of place went to a diesel engine developed by Volkswagen, the 1,968cc, turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC, 16-valve, EU-4 compliant powerplant which might also be familiar to Mitsubishi customers as its fitted to the Grandis Di-D people carrier. Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, it produces 138bhp, 310Nm of torque and is good for a top speed of 116mph. If thats not quite enough, theres also a 2.
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The 158bhp 2.4-litre MIVEC engine isnt a bad unit per se but it certainly likes a drink especially with the standard automatic gearbox marshalling its power. The 2.0-litre diesel will return combined economy figures in the region of 42mpg and the 2.
2-litre manages 38mpg but youll be lucky to get 30mpg from the petrol. Quite what Mitsubishi were thinking when they signed off the final design for the original Outlander is open to conjecture but it would nevertheless have been intriguing to see what the company rejected. The latest car is a far cleaner, less extreme design than the first Outlander and will sell better as a result. Plugging straight into the main vein of the fastest growing 4x4 segment in Europe, the Outlander is a crucial vehicle for a company thats following a roadmap back to profitability.
The total sales for vehicles of this type across Europe were 325,000 in 2001 and are now standing at just over 500,000 units with growth estimated at a further 35 per cent between now and 2009. Going head to head with the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V is an unenviable task but Mitsubishi is confident that the hardware is now in place.
"It seems this is a car we should now be paying attention to."
There are definite RAV4 design cues about the Outlander, especially around the rear pillars, but it has to be one of the best looking cars in its class now - composed and athletic where its predecessor was boxy and wilfully weird. The rising window line gives it a dynamic stance while the front grille is a whole lot happier looking, conforming to Mitsubishis so-called Mount Fuji family look. I didnt come up with that name, by the way. For the off road stuff, Mitsubishi can call on seventy years of 4x4 heritage so the engineers should know what theyre doing.
The All Wheel Control (AWC) technology utilised by the Outlander forges a closer link between the four-wheel drive system and the Active Stability Control program, so that it will switch smoothly from two wheel drive (for better fuel economy on road) to a locked four-wheel drive mode when it gets really slippery underfoot. The transition is controlled by the driver by means of an illuminated dial between the two seats. Lacking the heavy-duty transfer case of vehicles like the Shogun, the Outlander is sensibly equipped for its target market and aims to offer a car-like ride. Mitsubishi has worked at developing an optimal compromise between the ground clearance and raised seating position of a proper 4x4 and a low centre of gravity that makes a car handle well on road.
One of the tricks the company has used to achieve this end is to fabricate the roof panel entirely of lightweight aluminium a trick borrowed from the Lancer Evo. The Outlander certainly seems to offer plenty of versatility. At 4640mm long, 1800mm wide and 1680mm high (1720mm with roof rails), it casts a smaller shadow than many traditional family estates, while still offering a  spacious and well proportioned five-seater cabin with decent head, leg and shoulder room. A split tailgate, capable of supporting 200kg, provides easy access to the large and regularly shaped 541-litre boot, which can be extended to a vast 1691-litres with the second row of seats folded away. The interior nominally seats five but the "HideandSeat" system pops an additional bench seat up from below the cargo bay floor to provide occasional seven-seat versatility, although, if youre looking for a car thats going to seat seven on a regular basis, Id counsel going for something thats got a bit more wheelbase about it. Theres also a clever second row Auto-Folding seat function. Operating a switch on the side of the luggage compartment causes the backrest to fold down, the seat to slide forward and then the whole assembly to tumble forward. Theres no need to wrestle with head restraints and fiddly catches anymore.
Plus there are also utility bars for attaching a variety of accessories and three 12v power outlets. The model line-up starts with the £19,664 Equippe, which comes with twin front airbags, air conditioning, keyless entry, six-speaker CD/MP3 player, ASTC Active Stability and Traction Control safety system, electric windows and mirrors, plus a rear spoiler as standard. To this, the £22,214 Warrior variant adds, among other features, 18inch alloy wheels, HideandSeat folding third row seats, side and curtain airbags, a striking body kit, cruise control, a Bluetooth handsfree telephone kit and a leather-covered steering wheel and gearlever. The Elegance model adds heated leather seats, a sunroof, satellite navigation complete with its own 30GB music server and hard disc drive for high speed data access, a DVD player and a nine-speaker 650W Rockford FosgateTM Premium Sound System.
The 2.2 DI-DC engine is offered in Diamond trim at £26,999, a level which leaves nothing to the imagination. The old Outlander was a decent vehicle hobbled by a couple of key shortcomings. This time round, Mitsubishi looks to have hit the bullseye.
The company still needs to address the challenge of attracting footfall through dealerships but, to coin a phrase, if they build them, you will come. Heres hoping.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Mitsubishi Outlander range
PRICES: £19,664-£26,999 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 174-222g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0] 0-60mph 10.8s / Max Speed 116mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0] 40.9mpg [combined]
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, AWC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/With/Height [exc roof rails] 4640/1800/1680mm
