MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER (From Warrington Guardian)

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

MITSUBISHI'S all-new Outlander crossover model went on sale in January with three specifications and a dual fuel variant of each.

The equipment-laden 2.4 Equippe model costs £16,999 while the twin-sunroofed Sport carries a premium of £1,000 while leather-clad Sport SE is £18,749.

The dual fuels each cost £1,000 more the petrol models.

Outlander's front end features a broad vertical nose that houses a large three-diamond logo - and I understand that this is how future Mitsis will look.

The new vehicle has the lofty ground clearance and commanding driving position of an off-roader, but it is intended to provide the versatility of an estate and the driver-friendly dimensions and low centre of gravity of a saloon car.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 158 horsepower at 5,750 revs, is new and can be switched between separate low and high cam profiles for improved pulling power at low and mid range speeds as well as higher output at high speeds.

Top speed is 112 mph and zero to 60 mph time is 11.2 seconds.

The unit has been mated to Mitsubishi's second-generation four-speed automatic transmission which has a sports mode manual override.

Surprisingly, Outlander borrows much from Evolution VIII - it actually sits on a modified Evo platform and utilises the car's rally-derived permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Outlander rides on a MacPherson front strut and independent multi-link rear suspension set-up. - and that's also similar in principle to the layout used in the Evo.

Equipment boasts ABS and EBD, driver and passenger front and side airbags, climate control, a four speaker single slot stereo radio/CD sound system, central locking, an alarm and keyless entry, electric front and rear windows with an anti trap function, a split folding rear seat, electrically adjustable heated wing mirrors, a rear spoiler with high level brake light, 16 inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a leather-clad steering wheel and gearlever and integrated roof rails.

Sport model has an electric sunroof and fixed rear skylight with blinds, a six speaker single slot CD sound system, colour-coded electrically adjustable wing mirrors, a black wood-effect dash panel and integrated front fog lights. Sport SE adds leather seats.