Verada GTVi AWD heads TW Magna range

MITSUBISHI hopes its last ever Magna will go out with a bang following the release of an updated TW Magna and KW Verada – led by a new GTVi AWD variant – at this week’s Sydney motor show.

Due for replacement in as little as six months, the controversially styled and slow-selling TL/KL Magna/Verada range will make way for an all-new sedan in the first half of next year, based on Mitsu’s front-wheel drive PS platform that also underpins the US Galant – a name the Magna’s replacement is likely to adopt.

From mid-October, however, Mitsubishi Oz will attempt to extract maximum leverage from a revised TW/KW Magna/Verada range that, strangely, will be badged as a Series II. Less confusing, however, is the extra value Magna now offers via unchanged pricing.

In the absence of the funky CZ2 Cabriolet concept car, which was extensively damaged on arrival in Australia, star of Mitsu’s show will be the new KW Verada GTVi AWD sedan variant, a combination of the former Verada GTVi and Verada AWD models. Subtle styling and paint changes across the realigned TW/KW range also aim to give the swansong Magna/Verada better value for money.

Continuing the rationalisation of the Magna range, which began with the discontinuation of VR variants in July, the Verada GTVi AWD ‘QuadTec’ variant joins the range in place of the front-drive Verada GTVi and Verada AWD models.

While the KW Verada range now reads Ei, GTVi AWD and Xi, the Ei’s extra kit comes without change to the current price and the new GTVi AWD variant arrives at the same $46,990 pricetag of the front-drive KL Verada GTVi.

Similarly, despite the updates, TW Magna pricing remains unchanged from the new pricing revealed in June.

While mid-spec Magna LS sedan (but not wagon) disappears from the range, leaving the TW Magna range with ES sedan and wagon, LS wagon, LS AWD sedan, VR wagon, VR-X sedan and VR-X AWD sedan.

All Verada variants now carry larger, more distinctive front and rear bumpers to further differentiate them from Magna, while Verada Ei and Xi grilles are now "argent with bright tips and border" and the lower grille is body-coloured.

There are new 10-spoke and multi-spoke 16 x 6.0-inch alloys on both the Ei and Xi models respectively. GTVi AWD gets new seven-spoke 16 x 7.0-inch alloys.

A leather-wrap handbrake lever now compliments the leather-clad steering wheel and shifter, and steering wheel audio controls are added to Verada Ei and GTVi AWD, matching Xi.

In line with other AWDs, the new GTVi AWD variant gets the same specification as Verada Ei, except for a 159kW V6, larger ventilated brake discs all round with twin-piston callipers up front. Of course, GTVi AWD also gains ‘AWD QuadTec’ badging on its bootlid and ‘AWD’ rear door badges, along with all variants’ ‘Series II’ badges.

Completing the exterior look is an "argent with bright border" grille and sportier, darkened tail-lights and foglights (instead of bright for other Veradas), while inside the GTVi AWD there’s a full black dash, black carpet and black embossed leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Seats and door trims are black leather with perforated inserts and the armrest console lid is finished in stitched black leather. The floor console, HVAC panel and power window switch panels feature a mid-grey metallic look-finish.

Further down the range, the entry-level Magna ES and LS wagon receive body-coloured headlight bezels to tone down their Olivier Boulay-designed front-end, while LS also adds a new seat trim sew pattern.

With the front-drive LS sedan deleted from the range, Magna AWD becomes LS AWD and also receives body coloured headlight bezels, new trim materials and sew pattern, 16 x 6.0 sparkling silver alloys, two extra speakers (now eight), colour-keyed protective mouldings and wing mirrors, plus AWD badging changes.

TW/KW engines, transmissions and suspensions remain unchanged, with ES and LS wagon continuing with a four-speed auto and LS AWD, VR-X, VR-X AWD, Verada Ei, GTVi AWD and Xi featuring Mitsu’s five-speed semi-auto.

The new Platinum, Zen and Fusion paint colours added when VR-X AWD was launched in July are now available on most models.

Updated Magna and Verada models will be joined in Sydney by Mitsubishi’s light car entrant, the 1.5-litre Colt, plus the recently released Lancer Sportswagon.

A MY2005 Pajero will also debut, with manual variants receiving the 3.8-litre V6 already available on automatic variants, while the Exceed flagship gains heated front seats, new 17-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, embroidered floor mats and a new in-car entertainment system incorporating AM/FM/CD/MP3/DVD/VCD/TV, rear reversing camera and satellite-navigation with off-road GPS mode.

The mid-spec Pajero GLS picks up new 16-inch alloys, a new grille, charcoal headlamp extensions, body colour door handles and a silver front skid plate, plus titanium-look interior finishes and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter and park brake lever.

The entry GLX model receives twin front airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners as standard, while white-faced instruments replace the black items on all variants and a new Gunmetal paint colour is added.

TW/KW Magna/Verada pricing:
Magna ES sedan man $33,210
Magna ES sedan auto $35,110
Magna ES wagon auto $36,820
Magna LS wagon auto $40,700
Magna LS AWD sedan auto $38,990
Magna VR wagon auto $42,990
Magna VR-X sedan man $37,990
Magna VR-X sedan auto $39,990
Magna VR-X AWD sedan auto $42,990
Verada Ei sedan auto $42,490
Verada Ei wagon auto $42,950
Verada GTVi AWD sedan auto $46,990
Verada Xi sedan auto $52,180