New York Auto Show: Mitsubishi Outlander ready to roll in North America
Mitsubishi has already sold over 20,000 units of its new Outlander since the unibody ute went on sale in Japan about five and a half months ago. Today the embattled carmaker will be unveiling the North American version in Javits, but we’ve got some early info for you.
The 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander is going to combine compelling hardware wrapped in a very attractive package. It will be powered by an all-aluminum, 220-hp MIVEC V6 that’s joined at the hip with a six-speed Sportronic transmission. Magnesium paddle shifters on the wheel are also an option for those who crave the illusion of F1 racing.
The Outlander will be available with either AWD or FWD, the latter developed specifically for us folk in the New World. The all-wheel drive system mis called All-Wheel Control and has the ability to operate in front-wheel drive mode for better fuel economy or “4WD Auto” to leave the delegation of power up to the Outlander.
Look for live shots of the Outlander and more deets as the day progresses.
[Source: Mitsubishi]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason 11:11AM (4/13/2006)
How long before we see paddle shifters on Dodge Caravans? Sheesh.
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Solis 11:18AM (4/13/2006)
One sharp looker, and judging by the pix I've seen on Mitsubishi's Japanese site (yes, I deciphered Japanese!) it's going to be a hit, look out for that cool thing going on with the tailgate. All is well until you get to the scary-looking third row. It's a thin, scary looking thing that looks optional, and if Mitsu know what's good for 'em they'll either remove it or replace it with a proper third row. Also, wouldn't it have been better if Mitsu kept the Montero name for the Outlander? Montero has market recognition, and rumor has it that it isn't coming back, so why not?
Anyways, great job Mitsubishi!
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YOUR MOM 11:24AM (4/13/2006)
EVERYTHING CAR IS MORE AND MORE STARTING TO LOOK THE SAME. DOESN'T ANYONE HAVE ANY NEW IDEAS?
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doug 11:25AM (4/13/2006)
Mom's gonna try to flip on the turn signal, hit the paddle by mistake, down shift and fly through the intersection and kill us all!!
:sniff: it's ok, we were slumming in a Mitsu and I wanted to die anyway....
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Edsel 11:31AM (4/13/2006)
Is it me? I'm over 50 years old and every damn car & truck is starting to look the same to me. Is this what really happens when you join the AARP? I'm thinking my 84 year old neighbor's 1969 Coop Dee'Vill looks kind of "sporty", just fix the vinyl roof, clean the 8-track....
The Outlander has no style, it looks like a Toyota Highlander, or a Subaru, or a Saturn, or a Nissan....BUT, it doesn't look like a burnt orange 1969 Coop Dee'Vill.
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YOUR MOM 11:48AM (4/13/2006)
EDSEL,
I AGREE AND I'M ONLY 30
ALSO I THINK THE SHAPE OF THE VERY FRONT LOOKS A LITTLE VW-ISH
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NEBTEK2002 11:49AM (4/13/2006)
Yeah, they oughta bring back the '69 Coupe deVille with a hybrid drivetrain, or maybe a hydrogen fuel-cell. Carbon fiber body panels in rust-prone areas of the old design would be nice ,too.
A '69 Coupe deVille in original all-metal form is actually about 1/2 ton lighter than an Escalade or a Navigator and probably has better aerodynamics.
Put carbon-fiber floors and lower body panels on it and it could possibly weigh close to today's mid-sized utes, like the Outlandish.
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bernie 11:50AM (4/13/2006)
Saturn Vue, circa 2003. That's not going to get it done for Mitsu. They're in trouble, big time.
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Eric L. 12:40PM (4/13/2006)
This thing looks nothing like the VUE. If anything, I would say it looks like a milder version of the Murano or new RAV4.
Has anyone actually seen the current VUE. The headlights are all squinty - its hideous!
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Edsel 12:51PM (4/13/2006)
Thank you YOUR MOM(#4), I'm feeling 25 years younger already, and it was to my surprise that our posts almost collided.
NEBTEK (#5) If you put an old Coop Dee'Vill next to a Chevy Suburban you'd think they used the same chassis for both. The Coup's profile was simple; hood & trunk were equal lenghts with a little midship "pilot house" for the helmsman & first mate. Perhaps that is what's wrong with the Outlander, it's too efficient looking. Who's going to remember the styling of these toasters.
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Tom P 2:53PM (4/13/2006)
So.... Is is just me or is this yet ANOTHER vehicle based on the platform that began with the VUE?
Recap GM Theta Platform (devloped with Suzuki, used by GM, GM Daewoo, Suzuki, Mitsu?)
VUE (still looks great. Prefer any model pre 2006, but like it, too.)
Equinox (do all these proud Chevy owners know they are driving a Saturn?)
Grand Vitara (the VUE done right.)
Torrent (see Equinox comment.)
Outlook?
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syadasti 3:24PM (4/13/2006)
The new Mistubishi Outlander has nothing to do with the boring old Theta platform. Its based off the new Mitsubishi Lancer platform from Japan. The new Outlander even outsells the new RAV4 in Japan.
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Boredomisonlyboringtotheboring 7:18PM (4/13/2006)
Mitsu has a microsite up.
http://www.mitsucars.com/07outlander/
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MikeW 6:32PM (4/14/2006)
How about 1999?
Chrysler put the AutoStick manumatic transmission interface on the column shifter of ES sport minivans (17" wheels, rear spoiler)
Too bad chrysler decided to not offer it, or make it standard.
Now the kia/hyundai minivans have a manumatic transmission interface.
Take that Honda-D5, D3, 2, 1
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