New Mitsubishi Outlander stresses good manners

Mitsubishi Motors are most well known as a manufacturer of many and varied 4x4 vehicles albeit the high performance Lancer Evolution saloons, which also have four-wheel drive, have given their range a hero effect.

Their SUV or 4x4 range has now been strengthened and updated with the arrival of the second generation Outlander which went on sale in the UK in March.

The vehicle is much larger than the first Outlander, which was more of a 4x4 estate, and in truth replaces the aged five-seat Shogun Sport. The larger Shogun of course remains their 4x4 flagship range.

This new Outlander crosses the boundaries between a ‘people carrier’ and SUV, because most versions have seven seats, and have selectable two or four-wheel drive. It utilizes a completely new world platform designed ion conjunction with DaimlerChrysler.

For the UK there is a simple all-diesel three model line-up, the Equippe, Warrior and Elegance with prices ranging from £19,449 to £24,749. The Warrior version will take 60 per cent of Outlander sales, Elegance 30 per cent and the Equippe 10 per cent.

The first Outlander models all use a VW derived 2.0-litre Euro IV direct injection turbodiesel engine with a power output of 138bhp and 310Nm of torque from 1,750rpm.

The transmission is a six speed manual unit with an electronic, dial operated selectable two and four-wheel drive and auto two/four wheel drive and 4WD ‘lock’ modes. The latter being for use in deep snow or muddy conditions.

The Outlander will also be built in Japan for Peugeot and Citroen to use as the 4007 and C-Crosser respectively. They will be fitted with the more powerful latest PSA 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine and go on sale in the UK this summer.

Mitsubishi will also have the PSA engine available to them and their model is expected to be on sale later this year. At the same time Mitsubishi will add a new 2.4-litre petrol unit to the Outlander line-up.

This will only sell is very small number as most 4x4 owners, and even MPV customers, prefer the better fuel economy provided by diesel engines.

Mitsubishi expect to sell around 5,600 Outlanders a year in the UK, about 10 per cent of the market sector. They will primarily sell against the excellent Land Rover Freelander 2, the new Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4 but you could include the highly rated new Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento.

However the backlash against 4x4s on environmental issues and using such vehicles on the school run, plus the increase in CO2 emission charges through the road fund tax system, are affecting sales in this sector of the 4x4 market.

People who live in the country or want a 4x4 for their work will continue to buy these types of vehicles and pay the new high VED duty. But the ‘yummy mummies’ are showing signs of changing their allegiance to MPVs.

These vehicles, such as the Citroen C4 Picasso, the SEAT Altea XL and the excellent Ford S-Max, still give families the all import larger vehicle status without incurring the wrath of their peers by having an anti-social off-roader.

To offset and deflect the effects of CO2 emission issues Mitsubishi is marketing the Outlander in the UK on its high equipment levels as usual, but more significantly that the vehicle has a footprint no larger than a Ford Mondeo, VW Passat or BMW 5-Series Estate.

The CO2 levels are relatively low, around 183g/km, or as they put it 25g/km per person as the most popular models have seven seats. Mitsubishi says the same formula shows the Toyota Prius hybrid emits 21g/km and the Honda CR-V diesel 35g/km.

An interesting argument which only ‘stacks up’ if all seven seats of the Outlander are used regularly and that is generally not the case.