Mitsubishi’s Outlander gets ACTiV – again
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 3rd Jun 2011
Initially limited to 1500 examples, Mitsubishi’s latest ACTiV special follows the release of ACTiV versions of the Lancer and Pajero in May 2010, when the latest in a succession of annual Outlander ACTiV models was also released.
This time the value-added ACTiV comes at no extra cost over 2WD, AWD, manual, automatic and seven-seat versions of the entry-level Outlander LS upon which it is based, meaning an unchanged starting price of $28,990.
Key additions include 18-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, an interior styling package, chromed grille surround, chromed exhaust outlet, roof-rail crossbars and, for 2WD models, climate-control air-conditioning and front-side and curtain airbags (which are already standard on AWD models).
There are no changes to the base Outlander’s 125kW/226Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which continues to come with either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The Outlander ACTiV is fitted with the same standard safety features as the LS, meaning ASC electronic stability control, ATC traction control, multi-mode ABS and electronic brake-force distribution.
It also comes with Mitsubishi’s five-year/130,000km vehicle warranty including roadside assist, plus a 10-year/160,000km powertrain warranty.
Outlander sales slid a substantial 48.9 per cent in May and stand 19.5 per cent down so far this year, despite the addition of the first sub-$30,000 version in the form of the front-wheel drive LS last October.
Mitsubishi has sold almost as many examples of its newer and smaller ASX city-SUV this year.
The current Outlander, which dates back to November 2006 but received a major Evo-style facelift in October 2009, will next year be replaced by an all-new model based on the PX-MiEV plug-in hybrid crossover, which will make its local debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne on July 1.