Test Drive Mitsubishi Outlander (AirTrek) 2003 - 2007 SUV

Costs of education

What turned Mitsubishi Outlander when he was given a soul of a sports car and added to the title to the console TURBO

The demand for fast SUV is growing, and there is nothing surprising that Mitsubishi has endowed the outlander motor from the legendary sports Lancer Evolution. With it, this compact car of increased passability, in the surprise of the parClotagenik, received a truly explosive character that can swee the person experiencing a constant shortage of adrenaline in the blood. However, as the test drive showed, one engine with a turbine is clearly not enough so that the joy of communication with the machine is full. It is still required, for example, good upbringing adequate settings of the same motor, a full drive system, suspension, steering, exhaust melodies, finally. And in this sense, the costs turned out to be more than enough.

The reader has the right to know

No, no reason Outlander Turbo did not hurry to meet: we could not take part in the official testrawe, then the distributor of the brand was fought for two weeks to us, so we took the car from one of the dealers. He seemed to feel that he had not yet been dosured to the subject talk about his virtues and disadvantages. But we had the rarest opportunity to get acquainted with some grades of colleagues. Some of them were objective, others plunged into amazement. So, one car newspaper for which all cars are good, and especially Mitsubishi, wrote literally the following: the steering wheel is napping a pleasant weight; The car, instantly reacting to gas, easily shoots forward just a slightly catchy dancer of the turbine accompanies acceleration. Mile, gentlemen, because things are exactly the opposite! Of course, I understand that something can be accidentally or intentionally not to notice, but still your reader is worthy of respect, and he has the right to learn about the car a little more than he can tell the seller in the car dealership. Well, oh well, we turn to the specifics.

Under the wheels on the day of the test there were slippery snow and watered with frozen reagents, as if grated with lard, asphalt. But is it a hindrance for SUV with a constant full-wheel drive and a powerful motor from Evolution, but deformed up to 202 liters. with.? No, it is in such conditions that Outlander Turbo should feel like a fish in water. And the first acceleration really impressed: barely arrow of the tachometer crossed the mark of 3000 rpm, as the turbine spurred a car, and he made a jerk without slipping, pressing the body into the back of the seat. But I would never say that the reaction to the gas supply is instantaneous; If the driver actively works the accelerator pedal, it will inevitably notice a few late engine responses to its actions, despite the mechanical transmission. And on high speeds, the game pedal and is completely deprived of meaning: Outlander Turbo accelerates exactly, without pickups, so rely on additional jerks when overtaking wagons, for example, do not have to. Feelings that with increasing engine speed increases, like on any sports car with a turbo engine, no. The point is most likely that the high pressure turbine, it immediately goes to the limit of operation, and with increasing revolutions it remains unchanged. However, when moving in a straight line to such a manner, behavior is easily adequate, especially since Outlander is pretty tenacious in the canvas. Another thing is in turns and outside asphalt.

Special

The all-wheel drive transmission of Outlander Turbo borrowed from the same Lancer Evolution, but, alas, not the last generation, without the magnificent Super AYC system and still without anything. In addition, according to my subjective sensations, shock absorbers and springs remained the same, that is, especially for the TURBO version was not finalized. Or adjusting suspensions is changed so thin that I was not able to catch it. So otherwise, but I almost first faced the fact that for the whole day I did not work out a clear algorithm for the management of this car. A few examples.

I enter the turn with a little more than it is necessary, speed. And then I feel that the car is extremely reluctant inwards inside, as if turns his nose from a difficult task. Well, first I will do how most drivers will cut the gas and load the front wheels, which, in theory, should lead to better turning. The result was surprised by almost complete ignoring manageability laws. Well, slightly straighten the steering wheel, and then I am brought together with the simultaneous addition of gas. Calculation on the drift of the stern, which, in turn, will make her nose to look there, where necessary, not justified. Outlander all four wheels rolled the outward turn. Not the most, we recognize a bad reaction, because now it is possible, carefully working a gas pedal and a steering wheel, turn a turn in a beautiful slide. However, the places of the maneuver took so much that, beside another car, would have to be tight.

Here is the time to mention absolutely non-informative steering. Maybe on straight lines, and at high speed, the ram and it seems pleasantly heavy, but in general it is empty, like a glass of drunkards. It is almost impossible to determine exactly at what kind of angle at each specific moment is almost impossible.

So it turns out that whenever the driver did not have time to reset the speed before turning, the only chance to put the body sideways and in the slide. It is possible, but I really don't want to do this on Outlander a high center of gravity and let small, but not too pleasant body rolls in turns beat off the hunt for sports driving.

Or another episode. I overtake the van on a snowy road, turn the steering wheel and add gas. First, a small pause, the response time on the accelerator is still great, then I go to the oncoming lane and get the drift of the stern. Apparently, the differential of elevated friction in the rear suspension was worked, and the Viscounts, which was transferred between the axes a little more torque. And right, in essence, did. However, the characteristics that are suitable when moving in a straight line can play a cruel joke with sharp maneuvers. In such situations, there is a feeling that the huge moment and power of the power unit exist, as if separately from the rest of the car filling. Again, the costs of education.

And if you go, where the snow is deeper, then wonders begin. I am going to the banal snow-covered sidewalk and a little diagonally. The feed is already on the sidewalk, the front right wheel, too, and left on the roadway. I add gas, and the left front wheel starts mercilessly bounce. At the same time, the body stands on the spot. Blind is too big? Nothing like this. Moreover, the smell of burning clutch appears in the cabin, that for the all-wheel drive car with a capacity of more than two hundred power, the case is not at all visible and the disk basket left from the standard machine? It's time to cum with off-road experiments. I'm going to give a car, although noting that the average fuel consumption on the on-board computer was 16.5 liters per 100 km of AI-98 run, notice.

Finally, I decided to enjoy the dynamics to enjoy another time, so the willy-unilietes drew attention to the sound of the motor with revolutions around and above 6000. This is not a little catchy dysproying of the turbine, and some kind of heartbreaking swine squeaming, which is going to stab. There is no single sports note in this one can not be detected. Yes, and the clutch pedal does not set up on the battle boom, it is soft, possesses a decent move, but the grip itself is not easy to trace. It is also good that with the selective of the mechanical KP lever, everything is in order. What, alas, you will not say about the brakes. The pedal is slightly less than militant than the clutch pedal, but is as non-informative, so it is also an art that is also to dose the effort on it. Fortunately, ABS works clearly, although it allows small blockages. However, quite about the driving qualities, take a look at the exterior, salon and pay attention to the price.

Distinctive features

Externally, Outlander Turbo can be distinguished by a small air intake on the hood, spoiler on the trunk lid and the nameplate on the right rear wing.
Inside the same differences. Seats, skin-skinned, comfortable and perfectly hold the body. The range of adjustments is not great and a high person can upset. So, with my height, in 182 cm I had to lower the pillow to the end down, and the Baranka lift to the maximum up of other adjustments at the helm. Black plastic front panel, the sidewall doors and torpedo turned out to be tough to the touch, but high-quality. In general, the salon is not particularly originality and looks enough. It does not save even a silver instrument shield, a la metal switches on the central console and inserts from the Alcantra. True, there are as many two hatch one with an electric drive.

The trunk is small, since its considerable part occupies a full-size spare place. But part of the boot can be placed on the roof there are rails with fasteners. But the back is spacious, besides the backs of the chairs have adjustments over the angle of inclination and can be fully or in parts.

Mitsubishi Outlander Turbo is offered at $ 35,590, which looks almost the best offer. For comparison, a direct competitor Subaru Forester Turbo will cost thousands of 56 more expensive, but also offer a more pleasant interior, CD player, climate control and 210 hp under the hood.

Potential buyers Outlander Turbo are most likely residents of large megacities, where you can find an acceptable 98th gasoline. They will certainly come to taste, for example, sharp starts from the traffic light. At the same time, you should know what to drive to Outlander Turbo as the Lancer Evolution can not, and the explosive character during everyday use is capable of tired.

Text: Andrei Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Car Izvestia" [№5 (73), 2005]