Magna update on the quiet

WHILE Holden launched its VX Series II Commodore with much fanfare, Mitsubishi has quietly updated its Magna/Verada range.

"This (updated model) is just a further evolution for the '02 model year," Mitsubishi Australia spokesman Kevin Taylor said.

The revised Magna/Verada is said to offer more power, better economy and improved safety. Pricing remains unchanged.

Mitsubishi says its 3.5-litre engine, which has been tweaked to produce 155kW (up from 150kW), is now the most powerful naturally-aspirated V6 in its class.

While it eclipses the Commodore V6's output of 152kW, the Magna's powerplant is still 2kW shy of the Ford Falcon's 157kW, 4.0-litre inline six.

Torque is up from 300Nm to 316Nm - so the revised model should also deliver more mid-range punch.

Mr Taylor said the improvements were primarily a result of a more free-flowing exhaust system. Magna's sharper performance is said to be complemented by better fuel economy.

Mitsubishi is claiming a 4.5 per cent improvement for the city cycle, quoting a consumption figure of 10.5L/100km for the automatic Magna - compared with 11.0L/100km for the outgoing model.

Passive safety is said to benefit from an "energy absorber" in the front doors that offers better occupant protection in side impacts. This technology was formerly restricted to export models.

The entry level Magna Executive gains anti-lock brakes and power windows as standard features while Advance, Sports and VR-X gain climate control air-conditioning, front map lamps, glovebox lamp, power antenna and two additional speakers (taking the total to six).

An electric sunroof with front map lamps and C-pillar courtesy lamps are available as a $1750 option.

Visual changes are restricted to the Magna Sports, which gets its own distinguishing low level rear-deck spoiler, and the Ei Verada, which gets a chrome grille.

Both Verada models also get new alloy wheels, illuminated vanity mirrors for both driver and passenger and a "3.5" badge on the front fenders.

An electric sunroof is available as a $1750 option for Verada Ei sedan. The updated line-up includes - for a limited time - the valued-added Magna V6Si sedan.

Based on the Magna Executive, the V6Si adds new style 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear-deck spoiler, power windows, cruise control and colour-coded grille, side mouldings, splash protectors and mirrors. It also gains unique interior trim and "V6Si" badging on the deck lid.

Packing $4000 worth of extra kit, the Magna V6Si is priced at $28,290 for the manual version and $29,890 for the automatic.

Mitsubishi starts Magna exports to Middle East

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited dispatched the first shipment of 250 Magnas to the Middle East last Friday, with the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Mr Nick Minchin, on hand to offer his congratulations.

The Adelaide-based car-maker plans to export 800 Magnas to the Middle East in 2001 and expects to boost this figure to 4000 vehicles next year.

Holden and Toyota already earn a significant percentage of their export dollars from the Middle East.

MMAL exports more than 16,000 vehicles annually to the US and if it can gain a secure foothold in the Middle East, it would no doubt strengthen its case to continue as a local manufacturer.

Its future has been under scrutiny on numerous occasions over the past two years - often due to ill-timed comments by its MMC parent that cast doubts over the local arm's viability as a manufacturer.