Test drive Mitsubishi Outlander (Airtrek) 2003 - 2007 SUV

Mitsubishi Outlander car overview

After 29 months a new model
The Mitsubishi Outlander car, which will be discussed later, was born 29 months after the start of the release of a very successful Mitsubishi Grandis model. And what else remains to do companies, how not to increase the rate of development and production of new machines. After all, all this scandal, which was caused by the concealment of the facts of the recall of the already sold cars, led to the fact that Mitsubishi was among the obvious outsiders to produce new and various models. During the time, while there was a trial, many of the engineers probably felt humiliated and offended. Many of them decided to quit and look for work on the side. The situation in which Mitsubishi ended up can not be called favorable: there are no personnel or money. Frankly, the situation is ahov.
And, nevertheless, when I got behind the wheel of the new Outlander car and set off, I felt that it was too early to write off Mitsubishi, because, as they say, it hasn’t said everything yet. And the new Outlander car is evidence. After all, whatever you say, but in the running qualities (and what for the car the most important thing, no matter how it), the Outlander car undoubtedly belongs to the number of leaders in its class.
But another. No matter how hard you try and let out the most beautiful cars, no one will actively disperse them until the trust of customers to the Mitsubishi brand is restored. Next, I will try to prove this statement on examples.
Technical characteristics of the Outlander G car (5-seater salon)
Length 4640 mm x width 1800 mm x height 1680 mm.
Wheel base: 2670 mm.
Machine weight: 1580 kg.
Drive: 4wd
Engine: 2.4 -liture, 4 -cylinder, developed power of 170 hp. at 6000 rpm, the largest torque 23.0 kg/m at 4100 rpm.
Gearbox: variator
Car price: 2 million 646 thousand yen
 
To revive, you need firm determination.
I think that there are many people in the world, such as me who have accepted a scandal about the concealment of facts of calling cars with extreme irritation. But suddenly in July 2005 there was information that instilled hope for me. At least I decided for myself that Mitsubishi has changed. And the message was the following content: Mitsubishi filed a lawsuit against the former chairman of the board of Mr. Nakamur, the former president of Mr. Kavadzoe and 7 higher managers for compensation for losses in the amount of 1 billion 135 million yen.
So, the prosecution has been made against the 7 main managers who improperly performed their official duties. Their irresponsibility was the cause of several accidents and even a fatal outcome. This means that they caused harm not only to the company, but to the whole Japanese society. Indeed, their fault is great. But there is one significant aspect in this claim. All the current leadership previously worked under the leadership of the former, were their students and followers, so the decision to remove the ICs from the hut and the proximity to the judicial authorities was given, apparently, it was not easy for them. In Europe or in America, this is quite aheaded, but so that in Japan, due to the problems that consumers arose, to sue their former authorities, this is extremely rare. Mitsubishi dared to Mitsubishi, and such determination deserves respect.
Why could this story happen? Because people were not ready for the highest leading posts and appointed people who were not ready for this by their ethical and moral qualities. But their actions, however, did not meet condemnation, and this does not speak in favor of the company as a whole. Thus, having filed a lawsuit to the court, the current leadership, as it were, declares from its desire to dissociate himself from the company that existed before. In other words, this is a kind of oath to prevent anything like that. At the same time, the quality control of products is enhanced, a system of double or even triple inspections is organized.
But if so, then to the question can Mitsubishi produce decent cars?, I will risk answering positively. At least, the company was already able to reach a position with which all successfully developing car manufacturers began its acceleration. And this is already good.
The first impressions immediately after the start of movement
Let's go back to the Mitsubishi Outlander car. It is a completely new model that is available on a new platform and is equipped with the same new engine. It is planned that in the future this platform will be used in Lancer family machines. But its advantages are visible now, you just have to get behind the wheel and press the accelerator pedal. The subjective sense of controllability is very strong, the machine exactly goes to the trajectory of the movement that the driver planned. If you wrap the steering wheel at the bend, the front frequency of the car will immediately react accordingly, and the back of the car rush behind it. No additional devices are provided for the fight against the roll at the bend, although the intensity of the increase in the roll is taken under tight control. Therefore, feelings of uncertainty and instability behind the wheel do not arise. In a word, the machine in a bend behaves in the most natural way.
The new car is distinguished by another positive quality reliable grip of wheels with the road. The wheels on irregularities do not bounce, but move smoothly, hence the constant contact of the tires with the roadbed. Therefore, if the car goes along the ribbed road at high speed, the sensation of stability does not disappear. The same is important in ensuring comfort when driving. As a rule, comfort and handling are qualities - antagonists, and the more comfort, the worse controllability, and vice versa. But in this case, you can only raise the question with regard to driving along a smooth road along the ring. If under the wheels the usual road, and the wheels constantly stumble on potholes and bumps, or the roadway has a clearly expressed slope, it is better not to clamp the wheels, but to give them the ability to move smoothly. At least, it is precisely this mode of operation of the suspension that most often gives a positive result.
High potential of suspension design
Such a characteristic feature of the Mitsubishi Outlander car suspension is due to the use of 2 technical techniques in the machine, which have already been tested in the models of the Lancer Evolution series. First of all, you need to point out the presence of monocomatic shock absorbers in the suspension design, which absorb oscillation energy well even when the machine moves at a very low speed. These shock absorbers allow on one side to restrain the speed of the roll (the angular speed of rotation of the machine around the longitudinal axis). But on the other hand, at a certain moment they are made less elastic, and this allows you to maintain comfort at a fairly high level. As you know, the use of an aluminum roof in the body design allows you to slightly reduce the center of gravity of the machine, which is why the roll is less. But in the Outlander car, this effect of the aluminum roof is aimed at increasing comfort. The mechanics are simple here: if the car’s roll is hardly limited, then the lower the center of gravity of the car, the more the suspension can be. In other words, the Lancer Evolution car mentioned above, ultimately, is needed in order for the car to move as quickly as possible. As for the Outlander model, here the speed characteristics are of paramount importance, therefore, comfort and good handling are made at the forefront, which makes sense only when the driver feels confident.
Almost at the same time, the designers of Toyota, in the new RAV4 model, tried to do something similar. But they failed to achieve such a smooth move from the suspension that differs the Outlander car. I do not think that the main reason for this lies in the fact that one company succeeded in setting the suspension, and the other has no such experience. That's the point. The main thing is the potential that is originally laid when developing a platform. If the car follows on the ribbed road, when the longitudinal fluctuations of the body are constant, but small amplitude, especially when the ripples are difficult to distinguish, the rear suspension of the Toyota Rav4 car, due to its compact structure, cannot respond adequately, and therefore the body begins to swing up down. And if you put Mitsubishi Outlander on this section of the road, its suspension will hold the body at almost the same level, avoiding any noticeable vibrations. Of course, a trial trip, with all its importance, cannot give a complete idea of \u200b\u200bthe car. Nevertheless, I continue to insist that if for comparison, first drive around the rowan by car RAV4, and then immediately transfer the offlander and repeat, the difference in the behavior of the cars will be tangible.
The engine installed on the new Outlander car joint development of three companies: Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Daimler/Chrysler. It is a 4-cylinder engine, the working volume of which is 2.4 liters. To this should be added the MIVEC gas distribution mechanism, which was developed by Mitsubishi engineers on their own. The work of this mechanism, by the way, can be determined by ear by a characteristic sound that makes a hydraulic pump (it probably should also be worked on this). But the benefits of this system are great: firstly, the smooth operation of the engine is achieved, and secondly, the motor develops a powerful torque, starting from small revolutions. The engine very successfully complements the CVT variator. It should be recognized that the traction characteristics of the machine in its modern form are already quite high, but if we consider this issue, taking into account the possibilities of the suspension, then you can and even supplement the lineup version of the machine with an even more powerful engine. And it seems to me that this will happen, and will happen very soon.
From now on, it is worth carefully monitoring the novelties under the Mitsubishi brand
If we touch on the issue of the outer and interior design of the Outlander machine, then I would call it the design of clean lines. However, personally, I could, due to a slightly adventurous character, wanted the appearance of the machine to be a little more defiant. But at the same time, I understand perfectly well that for Mitsubishi, this new model is of fundamental importance in terms of consumer sympathies. In other words, the main thing is not to hit everyone with their originality. The main thing is not to cause a new wave of misunderstanding and denial. And, nevertheless, it is a pity that the appearance of the new Mitsubishi Outlander car does not give a reason to express special delight. I agree to give it such an energetic silhouette as, for example, Murano, maybe, was risky. But still, if he more actively reproduced the features characteristic of a modern discharge car SUV, his attractiveness from this would only benefit. I'll try to specify my thought. So, it is desirable that the body color is more expressive. Then, the rear combined lights are somewhat static, they would not hurt to revive. Or maybe it is better to visit the body details that improve its aerodynamics. In a word, the appearance of the machine could be a little finalized.
The same can be said about the interior of the salon. The Outlander car is closest to that variety of SUV category machines that have a sports orientation and are designed for high -speed driving. At the same time, the voluminous luggage compartment, where there is enough space even to place seats of the 3rd row, or, in general, the degree of its utilitarianism is such that it can seriously claim the role of a car type Post-Minivan. So it turns out that if the front panel is painted black, it is sports, it is suitable for those who love sports. Well, if you take his second essence, that is, to consider the car as a kind of family post of a minivan? Then, perhaps, you need an interior with a predominance of slightly warmer tones. Otherwise, it will be difficult to persuade those who are looking for a new form of a family car, in return, pretty become a shiny minivan. And such options for decorating the salon are just not provided.
Yes, it’s a little sorry that both the appearance and the interior of the salon do not have their own highlight. And, nevertheless, I can admit: the new Mitsubishi brand machine exceeded my expectations, I would say, compliance with the new requests of customers. Now I will wait impatiently when the mass production of micro -lighting cars of the new layout of type I begins. But there is still an idea to make a new minivan who made such an indelible impression on the participants and guests of the car dealership. And the new model of the Lancer Evolution family is also expected with interest. Thus, in the near future, Mitsubishi should release a number of new products. Do not miss!

    
  
 

A source: CarView.co.jp