2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT sticks its nose out for us
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT - Click above for high-res image gallery
We're starting to think that Mitsubishi might just have a shot at making it in the States yet. Not necessarily based on product, although that's looking better all the time, but because half of their team seems to hang out at our favorite weekend car meet in Southern California. We love the fact that they bring their best and brightest right to us instead of making us chase them down. A little while ago, they gave us a sneak peek at the new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring, and today they brought out the pre-production version of the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT.
That's the jacked up Outlander with the pumped up V6, S-AWC, aluminum racing pedals, multi-color 3.5-inch LCD between the gauges, upgraded navi, Rockford Fosgate stereo, leather, sunroof and trick new FUSE handsfree media gateway. We saw the prototype in New York, sporting an aluminum roof and Brembos, neither of which made it through to production. What did make it through was the new corporate schnoz, which apparently has been focus grouping well. It definitely makes it next to impossible to mistake it for anything other than a Mitsu. Love it or hate it, this is an Outlander Evo in all but name.
Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT
Photos copyright ©2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Trent 9:56AM (10/18/2009)
A face only a mother could love. They have some great looking cars but this is not one of them. It makes the Mazda 3 front end look cool.
Reply
Arkz 2:58PM (10/18/2009)
I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one. I actually like this front end much more than the current one. Although, it has to be said that I wish there was more creativity in there somewhere. So many manufacturers are using the same fascias on most of their fleet, I'd like to see some variety. (As a side note, I'm a lot more interested in that GTO in picture 3)
Monica Dickey 4:07PM (10/18/2009)
Yeah I gotta disagree. The first thing I thought when seeing this was how much I like the distinctive front end.
artandcolour 10:05AM (10/18/2009)
i say go for it. it's dramatic, maybe too much for most, but Mitsu, and all makers, have to do things to make themselves stand out. if pointing up the relationship with the Evo does it, fine with me. the angles of the chrome grille go well in this 3/4 angle, with the D pillar and rear side glass angles. it's a stand-out suv trucklet for sure.
Reply
Tony 10:13AM (10/18/2009)
Bring this rig with the Super AWD and the limited slip front differential to Canada.
My Dad who's looking to replace his 1989 Corolla All Trac has been at wits end trying to find a suitable replacement and this is IT. I even put off my plans to add to my fleet until this beast arrives. I like the fact of not only locking up the axles to the same speed but having side to side control over wheel spin is fantastic. Putting a limited slip up front is a huge bonus. Now if only I could convince ARB to make an Air Locker for the back diff and you would have an unstoppable beast.
Way to go Mitsubishi.
Reply
Judy Zik 8:52PM (10/18/2009)
This vehicle is pretty much guaranteed to make it to Canada since the current Outlander is here and Mitsubishi is doing a lot better in the Canadian market than they are doing in the USA. Mitsu has decent product. Unfortunately you can't support a dealer network on two models (Lancer and Outlander).
The Gallant isn't in the same league, the Endeavor causes people to yawn and the current Eclipse doesn't deserve to wear it's badge. As it stands the Outlander is probably the most overlooked vehicle on the market and Mitsu's best current effort. It even holds up well in reliability studies. If the refresh gives it a interior materials upgrade then this vehicle should be a hit.
Now give us the Colt and some of the other really well done small vehicles already available overseas (especially for the Canadian market) to go with it and keep your dealers afloat. I suspect it is starving dealers pulling shady tricks that has turned so many Americans off of Mitsu.
orion 10:20AM (10/18/2009)
I'd like to see a car company ditch the "Design by committee" for just one model and let one guy set the vision. You see it with the smaller ones, and even ones like the S2000 and NSX. But when I hear focus groups, I lose interest...
Reply
BoneHeadOtto 10:34AM (10/18/2009)
you mean like Chris Bangle did for BMW???
futurama 2:19PM (10/19/2009)
What Chris Bagle did for BMW is very significant and the impact it had in automotive design is quite profound.
With Bangle's design era cars, BMW, once only known as niche, luxury performance brand only enthusiasts could love, have now transformed into one of the design leader in the industry that is followed by many other car manufacturers. Also, it has helped BMW to shape a new image that takes the brand to the future.
Also, the fact that BMW enjoyed a tremendous commercial success with Bangle era cars should tell you quite a lot.
JDM Life 10:15AM (10/18/2009)
didnt like the new evo's front end.....
Dont like this one either.
Reply
Joey Mazz 5:55PM (10/18/2009)
I think it looks great, aggressive yet stylish. Plus its recognizable with the evo and Mitsubishi really needs some brand style-consistency because I feel that most Americans have forgotten that the company still sells cars here.
Art 10:26AM (10/18/2009)
Better looking than half the other softroaders. I like.
Reply
David 10:28AM (10/18/2009)
I like the original Outlander best. I think they lost their way with the previous one and this. The original Outlander was attractive and distinctive, and most of all, was a reasonable size. This is just "another" too-large SUV.
However, I think the styling inside and out is an improvement over the previous generation's.
Personally, I have problem considering Mitsubishi products. They have a tainted image in my mind, starting with their cover-ups and scandals of the past, the fact that they trashed their own reputation and image thoroughly with their target clientele of the past (due to their "we'll lease to anyone" practices), and also due to my most recent (which isn't that recent) experience with the Lancer, which I thought was shockingly tinny and cheap in every sense. I am amazed that they think that they can charge what they do for such a penalty box. I'm not sure what Mitsubishi can do to restore themselves in my mind, but whatever it is, they haven't accomplished it yet, and not for years now. Believe it or not, I used to be a BIG fan of their products.
Reply
Tourian 9:56AM (10/19/2009)
America's memory of events is very short. The only way the scandals and cover ups will still to the forefront is if people like yourself bring them up every time Mitsubishi brings out a product and a journalist spends time talking about that rather then actually reveiwing the product. Mitsubishi can survive, but only if they bring good product to the table. Right now they only have the Lancer and Outlander. Eclipse is too niche and Galant and Endeavor are too old.
FThorn 10:48AM (10/18/2009)
About time someone woke up and posted something. I've been up for 6 hours.
Reply
leitplanke 10:57AM (10/18/2009)
true that!
superset5 11:03AM (10/18/2009)
well it's got bmw 3 series headlight and lexus 330/350 tailights so that's kinda of a no-no for me but the interior does look pretty nice so i'll give them that and the wheels are good looking too.
Reply
LloydChiro 11:04AM (10/18/2009)
Pontiac is back in business?
Reply
Avinash machado 11:08AM (10/18/2009)
Maybe Mitsubishi could have made a good supplier to Saturn-Penske. Mitsubishi has a small dealer network in the US and would have made a neat fit for Saturn.
Reply
F50 11:32AM (10/18/2009)
Renault or Citroen/Peaugeot would have been better for Saturn.
Reply