Mitsubishi Motors unveiled
European market Outlander on-road SUV
Tokyo — Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation today unveils the European market version of the
Outlander on-road SUV and shows the Prototype-X concept for a
next-generation high-performance 4WD sedan at the 2007 Geneva
International Motor Show.
For the European market, the
Outlander lineup starts with a 2.0-liter turbo-charged diesel
engine. Other changes introduced for the European market include
a new front grille with the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt
Fuji-motif plinth that provides a central element of the
Mitsubishi brand design identity in the European market, as well
as Euro-specific chassis tuning.
Speaking at the MMC press
conference at 10:30 am local time today, Mitsubishi Motors'
president Osamu Masuko made the following remarks. "Mitsubishi
Motors has performed successfully in the European market while
increasing sales volume and being profitable since fiscal 2003.
And in the first nine months of the current fiscal year the
company sold 206,000 vehicles, which represents an increase of
5% over the same period last year and made a significant
contribution to the company's return to the black for the period
October through December last year. We are confident that the
new Outlander on-road SUV unveiled here today together with the
later introduction in fiscal 2007 of a new Lancer sports sedan
and the new Lancer Evolution — the production version of the
Prototype-X concept — will boost the strength of our product
lineup and see us maintaining sales volume."
.
1. Outlander European market
product features:
The European market Outlander is
an on-road SUV that raises the bar on fun-to-drive and
fun-to-use. A new-age global platform, which is stiffer, a sharp
chassis and an electronically-controlled 4WD system contribute
to feel-good response and faithful and predictable handling.
Features enhancing Outlander's comfort and utility, meanwhile,
include the split tailgate and auto-folding function for the
second row seats and Hide&Seat™" retractable third row.
Following its October 2005 launch in Japan and 2006 launch
in North America and China, the European introduction at the
Geneva Motor Show sees Outlander on sale in all the world's
major auto markets.
To meet local market needs the
European Outlander will be offered with a choice of three
engines : 2.0-liter turbo-diesel will be joined by a 2.2-liter
turbo-diesel and a 2.4-liter MIVEC*1 petrol. The latter is
fitted to the Japanese market model. A Euro-4 version of the
3.0-liter MIVEC V6 petrol unit that powers some U.S., Russian,
Ukrainian and Chinese market models is also under study for
Europe.
The European Outlander features
a number of styling changes, including the use of a new front
grille that locates the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt
Fuji-motif plinth, a central element in the brand design
identity for Mitsubishi models sold in Europe.
*1 MIVEC : Mitsubishi Innovative
Valve lift and timing Electronic Control. Mitsubishi Motors' own
variable valve lift (VVL) system.
2. Prototype-X product features
Photo: Automotive Intelligence
Shown at the Detroit Motor Show
in January 2007, Prototype-X is a design study for the new
Lancer Evolution due to be launched during the 2007 fiscal year.
Derived from the all-new Lancer sports sedan due to be launched
in America in March this year, Prototype-X features a firmly
functional design crafted to produce a handsome and purposeful
appearance. The exterior styling forcefully projects the car's
ruggedly athletic performance qualities while the strongly
function-oriented design and high-quality materials used in the
interior encourage the driver to concentrate on operating his
machine.
Prototype-X is loaded with the
very latest in MMC automotive engineering technology. Mechanical
features include: Mitsubishi's S-AWC*2 vehicle dynamics system
built around a 4WD driveline; a new aluminum block MIVEC
turbocharged engine mated to a high-performance six-speed
automated manual transmission; and the use of aluminum in some
body panels to reduce body weight.
2 S-AWC : Super All-Wheel
Control. : Vehicle dynamics system that integrates control of
drive torque, braking, steering and suspension at all four
wheels.
