Mitsubishi
Outlander
“My first day in the Mitsubishi Outlander
raised two questions. One concerned the front styling - we can
come back to that in a moment. The second was rather more
important. I wondered whether we need yet more choices in the
increasingly popular light four-wheel-drive market.
“The Outlander replaces the effective but
unpopular mini-Pajero - the oddly-named iO.
“Outlander is a latecomer, so we have to
ask if it has the goods to woo buyers from current class
standouts like the Nissan Xtrail, Subaru Forester, Toyota’s
youthful RAV4, Honda CRV, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Hyundai
Santa Fe.
Mitsubishi
Airtrek
“The answer lies partly in the fact that
this is a burgeoning market. Sales continue to rocket ahead at
the expense of the larger four-wheel-drives and conventional
station wagons in particular.
“Mitsu’s weapon is a five-seat all
wheel-drive wagon which comes in two specs costing AUD 32,000
and AUD 37,490, plus the usual dealer and government charges.
Both are powered by a 100 kW, belt-driven, single overhead
cam, 2.35 litre four cylinder engine. The only transmission is
Mitsubishi’s excellent four-speed auto with alternative
manual over -ride - Sports Mode in Mitsubishi talk. It is a
first class auto.
“The Outlander weighs more than 1550 kg -
or one and a half tonnes - so I feel that a manual would
improve performance and fuel consumption, while knocking some
dollars out of the initial asking price. But no doubt Mitsu
knows its potential market better than me and they must reckon
that auto is today’s customer choice.
“That said, this Outlander gets off the
mark and cruises without hint of its relatively low power and
not insubstantial weight. These numbers are more evident in
print than in the driving.
“Outlander has a particularly roomy feel
for five adults. Luggage space is OK and it can be boosted by
folding the rear seats. There are some useful storage spots
but the front door pockets are narrow and oddly shaped -
almost useless.
“Standard equipment, even on the AUD
32,000 LS model, is more than generous. There are power
windows and mirrors plus remote locking of course. There’s
air-conditioning, cruise control, a four-speaker stereo radio
with CD player, folding centre rear armrest with built in
cup-holders and intermittent wipers. Anti-lock brakes with
electronic brake force distribution are optional on this
model. They are standard on the XLS, along with such items as
a sun roof, roof rails, six speaker sound system, body
coloured door handles and similar fripperies.
“On road, the Outlander is brisk enough.
It has an unexpectedly quiet and smooth, even soothing, ride.
One also soon appreciates the supportive and multi-adjustable
driver’s seat. Even its thirst was less than one might
expect.
“Thus, we come to Outlander’s main
distinguishing feature - apart from the excellent auto with
its change-lever mounted on the fascia which allows squeezy
walk-thru from left to right and further enhances the roomy
appearance.
“Frankly, nobody liked the front styling.
The bull nose did not grow on me over a week - I grimaced, but
was inclined to agree, as humorists suggested more apt names
might be Outlandish or Outrageous.
“One can only wonder what the Mitsu
Australia people were on when they chose this US-inspired nose
over the handsome face of the Asian versions which I saw at
the Bangkok Motor Show and in Malaysia recently. They say this
will become the new look for all Mitsubishis - I wonder if
there is a rethink going on. One can but hope so. At least
they dropped the name Airtrek with which this thoroughly
competent, well equipped, quiet and comfortable newcomer is
saddled across Asia!
“Sadly, so far we also do not get the
high performance Evo model I saw while abroad -drop-dead
handsome with reported performance and handling to match. Let
us hope Mitsu will look to this one for our future - but,
please, stick with the original Japanese styling. It’s
looked terrific on the streets.
“Meantime - does the world need another
all-while drive five-seat, occasional off-roader? If we do
then the Outlander is a more than worthy contender. (Thank you
John, Dr. Iain.)
They
even raced them! 
So
to this week. I am looking for what clever race car
manufacturer decided that instead of a tube frame chassis, he
would be able to build a lighter machine by using monocoque
construction. This was done using plywood and sheet metal to
build the monocoque, and the cars were very aerodynamic,
looking like a rear facing aerofoil. What was this car, the
first monocoque in racing?
If
that was not enough, during the Group N + C race it became
necessary for the Safety Car to be brought out. When this
occurs, every flag point displays the yellow caution flag
(which means that no passing is allowed), as well as the SC
board being shown at the start-finish line. Unfortunately the
novice race drivers were all suffering from a bad attack of
the “red mist” and kept on racing, finally catching up
with the Safety Car, suddenly realising they had to slow down.
Not only did one slow down, but he also decided to stop on the
grid! Luckily the massed field that followed all managed to
miss him! After the race there were a few drivers in front of
the Stewards for a “Please Explain”.
This
is the first official photograph of Volkswagen’s
fifth-generation Golf due early next year. It is longer, wider
and higher than the current model. VW hopes the new Golf will
regain the title of Europe’s top selling new car. The
current VW Golf is ranked in third position in Europe, with
Renault’s Megane top of the heap. The Golf has followed the
trend shown by all manufacturers, where the models just keep
on getting larger - like human beings, I suppose!
