Do you remember how the first Passat shocked Europe in 1973? That was Volkswagen’s very first attempt to use watercooled engines, therefore ending the long-lasting tradition which became famous mostly with Beetle. This car became famous because its qualities managed to convert the initial negative reaction into huge approval over the years, making Passat a true best-seller. It’s possible to affirm that Mitsubishi wants to execute a similar strategy, although changing different parameters. Could it obtain similar success?
Even the least interested car enthusiasts would associate Mitsubishi with values such as sportiness, performance or aggressive styling. After all, even though models like Colt or Galant have sold millions of units in dozens of markets, the names which have truly distinguished this brand are 3000GT, Eclipse and Lancer Evolution, along with Pajero’s variations. In other words, vehicles that became known for delivering excellent performance (the first three on the roads) obtained from top-notch constructions, but famous for pairing it to very attractive lines, which helped to make the Japanese design as well-accepted worldwide as any other. Considering all this context, it turns very easy to understand why everyone loved when Mitsubishi introduced the Jetfighter design. Captained by the trapezoidal grille which made the front fascia longer in the upper portion than in the lower and completed with several equally aggresive items, it gave the same good-looking modern sportiness to models from Colt to Outlander during the last decade. However, the global market started to suffer strong changes on its demands, in the past few years. People started to have different wants from a new car, and Mitsubishi decided it was time to rethink its strategies.
New generations are always expected to perform big changes to the previous concepts, but Outlander’s example contradicts the trend of causing surprises and collecting “wows”. Mitsubishi decided to invest in rational values such as comfort, efficiency and utility, rather than seducing with design or high performance. That’s the answer for what must have been in the head of everyone which knows the previous Outlander: what were they thinking? Mitsubishi’s intention of turning it into a comfortable family crossover was very nice, but it meant taking off so much sportiness that also made the car look older than its own previous generations – elements such as chrome grille in the front and reflective bar in the rear connecting the lights or the lack of strong creases that go through the entire car artistically makes the new Outlander fit the 1980s’ design trends better than today’s. However, if the design doesn’t look too fashionable, it fits Mitsubishi’s new concerns very well because it’s efficient. Using such smooth lines makes the car more aerodynamic, while the interior’s discreet and harmonic combination of colors and textures couldn’t suit better a family use.
Even though Outlander didn’t make important changes to its predecessor’s dimensions, Mitsubishi managed to improve its internal space. Both sixth and seventh seats were maintained, along with the possibility of obtaining a flat floor when folding down second and third rows. There are minor improvements like camera-based monitor system and better adjustments for the steering column, but the new construction becomes important mostly for bringing all the recent passive safety systems: there are adaptative cruise control, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning and much more efficient xenon headlights. The comfort was boosted with items such as dual zone climate control and quieter cabin. Besides, the car became more efficient with weight reduction, start-stop system and structural improvements. Such concern brought similar efforts to the powertrain, which makes Outlander start with two options: Europe will receive a 2.0L with gasoline and a 2.2L with diesel, both units with 150 hp and achieving 130-g/km emissions. There will be AWD option and automatic six-speed transmission. In 2013 the line will be increased with a plug-in hybrid version.
