Test drive Mitsubishi Outlander (Airtrek) 2003 - 2007 SUV

Your alien

We have not just new Mitsubishi: this is the company's attempt to establish itself in the actively growing market of parquet all -around. In terms of the present, Mitsubishi has a very rich experience, but to contrast Toyota-Rav4 or Honda CR-V. There was no such possibility so far.
What is the secret of the popularity of the SUVs? These cars satisfy both buyers and manufacturers better than others. The former receive almost an alternate at a price lower than the real one, the latter sell almost a station wagon one and a half times more. Both sides are still very satisfied. Of course, if the growth of competition in this segment forces to reduce prices, the situation will change, but this seems to be far away. So, go ahead, behind the wheel of Mitsubishi-ableler. But first we will stand around.
 
Strange predator
The name, harmonious in all languages, is not so easy to choose, there were many incidents here. Outlander translated from English - stranger, wanderer, alien. The character is mysterious, unkind and initially causing a wary attitude. However, today the names that are different from neutral-geographical and harmonious-computer are in the order of things. But still, the first impression is determined not by the name, but by appearance.
Mitsubishi assures that the original outlander design combines the appearance of a serious SUV and the Sportsword style. The design of the front part will not allow the outlander with any other car, which can not be said about the side of the side, especially from the back where the similarity with Lexus-RX300 is obvious.
The layout is not quite typical for the SUV. Almost a passenger planting of the driver and a relatively low roof make the silhouette of the machine swift, although they reduce the internal volume. The closest analogue in size and proportions is the Subaru Forester. By the way, Outlander's rather modest trunk is also a product of such a layout. A multi -link rear suspension and a solid spare wheel in the trunk forced to make the floor quite high. However, this does not at all detract from the possibilities of transforming - from two to five passenger places plus the trunk with an absolutely flat floor. And the passenger seat that is laying with it allows you to transport a load up to 2.4 m long with one driver.
 
Let's look closer
Seville's spring sky meets the impulsive wind and violent development of cloudiness: a thunderstorm is about to erupt. On cars! Getting behind the outlander’s wheel is easy - there are few adjustments. The driver’s chair resembles a carism - large, with good lateral support on the back and on the pillow, but at the same time quite soft and loyal to the fullness of the driver. There is also an adjustment of lumbar support. Having put a more tall colleague forward, I am sitting in the back seat - there is also enough space, and a fist passes freely between the knee and the driver’s seat.
 
GO!
You get used to good quickly: cars in which the engine starts should be controlled by the tachometer, and not according to the sensations, are more and more often found. So far, Mitsubishi -outlet is offered only with a mechanical gearbox and a two -liter engine, so special attention is the work of the clutch and the transfers mechanism. The first pleases with a little effort, the second - accuracy of work.
The sky continues to frown, and gusts of wind are felt more and more on the steering wheel. However, not enough to worry about this. Acceleration when leaving the speed road is an important indicator. The two -liter engine confidently copes with a rather heavy car to about 120 km/h, then the acceleration process is not so cheerful. But, since the engine is spinning at 7,000 rpm, and its noise is thoroughly suppressed, the use of the motor throughout the coil is quite permissible even in comfortable driving mode. Nevertheless, a one and a half-ton outlander needs a more difficult engine. Well, let's wait for acquaintance with a more powerful modification, but for now ...
 
The weather makes amendments
There is less and less time for photography - the first drops of rain are already falling ... The wind is almost subsided, the real rain is about to pour from the lead clouds - its wall moves right on us. Well, we will save health and camera - hide in the Outlander salon. The front panel looks rather unusual: deep wells of devices, oval ventilation deflectors, an oval in the middle - a strange hybrid of Japanese practicality, even utilitarianism with English conservatism. No, this rain will not end soon, and the movement time along the route is hardly painted. Near light, front and rear foglights, turn on the air conditioner so as not to diverted glass, and go. In the end, confidence in bad weather is another reason why all -around and all -wheel drive are buying.
Water flows are poured with windshield, but corrugated asphalt concrete and outlander allow you to go quickly, sometimes accelerating to 150 km/h. But still, visibility sometimes falls so that such a high pace becomes dangerous. Full -wheel drive from aquacuing does not save, and even more so is not able to make a rain wall more transparent. However, the main result is obvious: the car is confident on a slippery road.
We continue the way: the chances of filming weather fall with every minute. And so I wanted to capture the silver outlander in the rays of the setting sun, on the reddish earth burned out by the sun. And certainly, against the background of the bizarrely eagerly eerosia of the mountain or a giant termite ... Alas, the sky is completely closed, the rain does not stop. The sunset is more like the beginning of the performance in the theater: the light will gradually fade, as if someone at the top moved the slider of the rheostat. It’s good that we have another day in reserve.
There is a little time to ride on the pre-production version of the Mitsubishi-outlet 2.4. Should buyers wait for a car with this engine until the fall? Our answer is worth it. This engine does not so much improve dynamics as lightness and ease of acceleration gives. In other words, a very pleasant supply for the pedal.
 
SECOND DAY
P the vein is a little better, but the roads are more interesting. The minimum of high -speed highways - more narrow (pity, too straight) two -lane roads and, finally, a little ground and gravel. On the asphalt, one of the strongest aspects of Mitsubishi -outlet is comfort. Few of the SUVs can boast of perfect aerodynamics, however, judging by the declared 192 km/h, she has an outlander at a height. The situation is good with stability. But the suspensions leave a dual impression - the car is not rolling and not crucified, but coating defects are harshly. The energy intensity quite allows you to move at a fast pace on not the most even roads. Only the result is strange: there is no sports sharpness yet, and smoothness is no longer enough. However, here is the promised primer.
A lot of sand and fresh puddles, but in appearance - is quite passable even for domestic cars. The Mitsubishi-outlender has a 195 mm declared road clearance, so we have nothing to be afraid of a soft sand rut. And where slippery, all -wheel drive will help. A similar offside in a European man causes us only a grin. But let's not forget, the outlander is not a real alternate, but rather a station wagon with an increased road clearance. He does not have a reducing transmission or rigid blocking of the center differential. Even an innocent attempt to twist on the spot on a soil Piglet led to a very curious result: graceful cast wheels managed to draw so much wet sand inside that on a rim, balancing weights have been formed in a pound of a pen. After leaving the asphalt, they reminded themselves of monstrous vibration. I had to pick out the compressed sand for a long time with fingers, a comb and a fountain pen. It turns out that even the shape of the wheel disk is important not only from an aesthetic point of view.
 
When and how much
A two-liter mitsubishi-outlet in the performances of Comfort and Sport will appear in Russia in May. Sport is characterized by roof religions, alloy wheels, climate control, painted with body with mirrors and threshold overlays, increased rear spoiler. Prices, respectively, $ 27 990 and 29 790. A more powerful modification with a 2.4 liter engine and automatic transmission will debut in November. The estimated price is $ 35,000. And finally, a charged outlander with a turbocharged will be released only in 2004. Then you can talk about competitors, objectively and in detail. In the meantime, all the prejudices scattered ... Mitsubishi-outlet, maybe so far for us and a stranger, but he has a lot of chances to become his own.
The interior style is emphasized by sports - at least superfluous, maximum functionality.
The flat floor of the trunk with folded seats creates the convenience of loading.
In modern fashion - crystal optics of lanterns. Large rear spoiler in Sport.
 
 
 
Anatoly Fomin
Photo by the author and Mitsubishi Motors
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"