Outlander’s current generation was released with an external design that reminded of when people get dressed to go to the supermarket: their qualities are all there, like at any other time, but they don’t look nice because they weren’t even trying to. In the case of the crossover, this was particularly disappointing because it meant seeing a quite good product losing sales to its competitors for failing in just one aspect, which turns out to be one of the most important for its average customer. Judging by press feedback, Mitsubishi had the chance to notice that from the very moment this car was showed, but there are appropriate times to update a project. Now, after three years, this facelift comes with the intention of turning an already great car virtually flawless.
As the pictures show, most of the attention went to the front. The entire section was changed, taking inspiration from all those concept cars: there’s a huge piano-black portion at the center, which has the main air intakes and is framed by two thick chrome boomerangs on the sides, a silver line below, and two smaller grilles with the logo above. The latter ones connect the new headlights, which are sleeker and use LED strips. The sides use a black-plastic frame at the lower portion, with another chrome insert. The rear features refreshed bumpers and tailgate, and tail lights that look much better for the more elegant shape, the use of LEDs, and for no longer being connected like in sedans from the 1980s. This task was given to a separate bar, which brings another touch of chrome.
Since the company considered Outlander’s only significant flaw was the external design, nothing else had the same level of changes. As far as the cabin is concerned, most improvements were dedicated to reducing levels of noise, vibration and harshness. There are more sound insulation, new front suspension and rear dampers, and a new CVT. Other changes related to habitability include new steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and electronic safety systems such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision mitigation, and lane-departure warning – the latter are restricted to the crossover’s upscale trims, SEL and GT. Everything else stayed the same, including powertrain options (they vary according to the country). This car is already on sale.
Lançamento no Brasil (27/05/2015)
Com apenas um mês de atraso em relação ao lançamento mundial, o crossover japonês estende o facelift ao Brasil. Em comparação ao modelo anterior, as melhorias citadas acima se somam a uma revisão na lista de versões, cujo objetivo é melhorar um desempenho de vendas que já era interessante. Ele estreia o motor 2.2 turbodiesel, que gera 165 cv e 36,7 kgfm, e traz uma série de tecnologias para melhorar a eficiência energética. Ele equipa a nova versão topo-de-linha do modelo, custando R$ 173.990. Assim como ela, as demais usam CVT, mas consomem gasolina: a 2.0 16v produz 160 cv e sai por R$ 114.990, e a GT V6 sobe a 240 cv e R$ 141.990. Esta última pode receber o Full Technology Pack, com mais equipamentos e preço de R$ 151.990.