Challenger’s back – a perfect blend of toughness and style

21 December 2009

The hugely popular Challenger nameplate today makes a welcome return to the Mitsubishi Motors stable, promising to build up an even bigger fan club of owners than when it was last available in New Zealand.

Those fans will be taken aback by the advances the all-new 2010 model has made, from its high level of on-road comfort and driveability to its low-range four-wheel drive ability.

Exceptional performance and economy comes courtesy of Challenger’s new high-power 2.5-litre common rail intercooled turbo-diesel. With automatic transmission, five- or seven-seat layouts and two specification levels, the midsize Challenger offers premium levels of power, versatility, safety and style. “Previously, owners of Challenger prized it for its four-wheel drive ability, rather than its on-road comfort”, said Mitsubishi’s sales and marketing general manager Peter Wilkins. “When Mitsubishi’s designers began work on the new model, their clear intent was to offer the best of both worlds – and we think they nailed it. This vehicle, completely new in every aspect, drives like a dream, on-road and off”

Challenger slots neatly into Mitsubishi’s renowned four-wheel drive range, competitively positioned between the compact crossover Outlander and the all-terrain Pajero.

Style-wise, Challenger is equally at home cruising city streets or mixing it in the rough. Its basic design premise was to deliver versatility and flexibility, blending tough with smart and muscle with comfort

One surprise will be the 133kW of power and the 356Nm of torque unleashed by Challenger’s new 2.5-litre common rail intercooled turbo-diesel – making it an ideal vehicle for heavy-duty towing and off-road driving. The engine uses the latest clean diesel technology, with an optimised combustion chamber, improved injector specifications and a variable geometry turbocharger making big contributions to cleaner emissions. Despite its impressive power and torque output, Challenger is extremely fuel efficient for a vehicle in its class, using just 9.8 litres per 100 kms. Challenger’s strong, responsive diesel is mated to an INVECS II Smart Logic automatic transmission with Sports Mode, letting drivers make clutchless shifts if they choose.

Mitsubishi’s Pajero-style All Terrain Technology (MATT), readies Challenger for the hard stuff. Its class-leading off-road safety package: Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), Multi-mode ABS with EBD, and rear diff lock can be worth its weight in gold in an unexpectedly sticky situation halfway up a mountain or halfway down an unbeaten track.

MATT’s exceptional four-wheel drive system is underpinned by the famed “Super Select” that lets the driver choose between these driving modes (the first three “on the fly”):

* 2H two-wheel drive high range, for fine-weather commuting or highway touring and frugal fuel use.
* 4H full-time four-wheel drive, for extra traction in bad weather or on coarse roads.
* 4HLC four-wheel drive high with locked centre differential, sharing power equally between all wheels to easily defeat most four-wheel drive tracks
* 4LLC four-wheel drive low with locked centre differential, for when the going gets really tough.

With its strong new ladder-frame chassis, Challenger has 50% more torsional rigidity than its predecessor. The vehicle’s well mannered too, displaying comfortable and controlled driving characteristics through its all-round coil-spring suspension: at the front, double wishbones; at the rear, a three-link design. Stabiliser bars control body roll, while four-wheel disc brakes provide optimal stopping power.
Challenger’s RISE body construction and its six bring added safety.

Braked towing capacity is a generous 2,500 kg.

As flexible and versatile as it is stylish and powerful, the new Challenger offers a choice of five or seven seats, with the seven-seater’s third row split 50/50. This gives the owner multiple seating and stowage combinations and lets all occupants travel in style and comfort. The upward opening rear door adds another level of convenience, allowing for ease of loading in urban environments where space might be at a premium.

Peter Wilkins says that pricing and specifications have been calibrated to offer the best possible value with the highest possible feature levels.

“With the option of five or seven seats, the new Challenger will appeal to active families, so we have made sure that all the bells and whistles that mum, dad and a couple of kids need are there, and at an affordable price”.

The five-seat Challenger GLS, priced at $56,990, boasts a host of functional styling, comfort and technology features. These include 17 inch alloy wheels (with a full-sized alloy spare), side steps and roof rails. Inside are steering-wheel mounted controls for cruise and audio, power windows with automatic up and down on the driver’s side, remote keyless entry and central locking, single CD player with six-speaker system, an MP3 jack, privacy glass and cargo blind.

The seven-seat Exceed, priced at $61,990, adds third-row seating with a 50/50 split, manually controlled rear air conditioning, and a collection of premium-style features inside and out: to name just a few leather-mounted steering wheel, leather seat trim, powered driver’s seat, eight-speaker sound system, headlamp washers, speed-sensitive wipers and reversing sensors.

Like every new Mitsubishi car and light commercial vehicle, Challenger is covered by the comprehensive Diamond Advantage Warranty, which gives owners a 10-year/160,000 km powertrain warranty, 5-year/130,000 km new car warranty and a 5-year/130,000 km roadside assistance package.

Challenger Pricing
GLS - 5 seat $56,990
EXCEED - 7 seat $61,990

New Mitsubishi Outlander reveals aggressive styling and upgraded features

06 November 2009

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand announces the arrival of the new Outlander featuring a distinctive and aggressive styling make-over which includes the company’s trademark “jet fighter” grille, and a host of new comfort, convenience and safety appointments. Improvements to the Outlander’s engineering include the addition of Hill Start Assist on all models and Super All Wheel Control to V6 models.

“Outlander has performed superbly,” said Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand general manager of sales and marketing Peter Wilkins. “With the option of five or seven seats it integrates well into large families and commercial users like the space, engine options and, of course, the price.

“Over the past four years, the Mitsubishi Outlander has been the best-selling medium SUV in New Zealand. After such impressive service, it was time for a freshen-up and the new exterior styling and interior appointments have achieved exactly that,” said Mr Wilkins.

“With its city-friendly size and style, its rugged off-road capabilities and all the technology we could squeeze into it, this new Outlander will take you where you want to go in comfort, style, and safety,” said Wilkins.

The big story for the 2010 Outlander is the “next generation” styling, inspired by the outstanding Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype displayed at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. The front grille design is taken from the Lancer Evolution’s “jet fighter” look and is complemented by contemporary design elements, such as a reshaped front bumper, side mirrors, fenders and bonnet. Reshaped headlamps, a new rear bumper and side sills complete the slick sports styling.

Complementing the exterior changes, the Outlander interior design has been freshened with the addition of new seat, door and dash trims, leather look to premium models, double-stitching, chrome accents and a brilliant new instrument cluster. Additional Lancer-Evolution-inspired design cues for the VRX include aluminum racing style pedals and a sport-type steering wheel.

Technological upgrades for the new Outlander include the addition of Mitsubishi’s acclaimed Super-All Wheel Control system (S-AWC) to V6 models, improvements to power delivery and fuel economy, the addition of Hill Start Assist (HSA) for all CVT and automatic models and USB inputs for audio connectivity.

Merging Mitsubishi’s experience in off-road and rally racing with production car development, the V6 Outlander features the revolutionary Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. Beyond simple four-wheel drive, S-AWC is a comprehensive system that improves handling, traction and stability. Using a first-in-class active front limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled four-wheel drive coupling, S-AWC can prevent wheel slip between front to rear and side-to-side, providing greater traction through all types of terrain and inclement weather, including ice, snow and rain.

The new Outlander retains two tried and trusted engine choices. First, the 2.4-litre DOHC 16 valve MPI MIVEC engine provides peppy, yet frugal motoring for drivers with a keen eye for economy and generates 127 kW of power @ 6,000 rpm and 230 Nm of torque @4,100rpm. The 2.4-litre engine is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with Sports Mode sequential style shift changes and INVECS Smart Logic.

Drivers with a need for speed will choose the powerful V6 3.0-litre SOHC 24 valve MPI MIVEC engine which now generates 172 kW of power @ 6,250 rpm and 296 Nm of torque @ 3,750 rpm (with 95+ RON fuel). The V6 benefits from improvements to the all-aluminum engine, including a reduction in intake restriction plus optimised camshaft timing and compression ratio. These changes raise the maximum output by a modest 7 kW, but, importantly, also contribute to an improved torque curve for more responsive city driving and improved fuel economy and emissions.

“We’ve worked hard to raise the premium appeal of Outlander with our VRX offerings and the 3.0L model, in particular, provides a level of appointment, technology and power to match,” said Mr Wilkins. “We believe that this new range will raise the bar in the small and medium SUV segment. We have excellent coverage from top to bottom and the product’s success to date indicates consumers love Outlander and this model will continue to be a New Zealand favourite.

All Outlanders are available in a variety of paint colours including the new shades of Ironbark and Atlantic Blue, as well as Rose Red, Cool Silver, Amethyst Black, Effect Grey and Cardrona White. Mitsubishi also provides its industry leading Diamond Advantage warranty on all Outlander vehicles, including a comprehensive 5 year/130,000 km new vehicle warranty, backed up by its 10 year/160,000 km powertrain warranty and a 5 year/130,000km roadside assistance package.

Launching the new Outlander, Peter Wilkins said he couldn’t imagine a vehicle that was better placed to meet the demands of today’s lifestyle oriented go-getters.

“With life moving so fast these days, our customers need a car that can keep up with them and meet all their needs. This new Mitsubishi Outlander gives them everything they need, and even a few extras they might not expect. This truly is a value-packed vehicle that will not disappoint,” said Wilkins.

Pricing for the Outlander range starts at $41,990.

Mitsubishi introduces NZ’s best new car warranty and customer care

01 November 2009

From 1 November, buyers of every new Mitsubishi car, SUV, ute or van will benefit from the “Diamond Advantage” ten-year (or 160,000km*) powertrain warranty and five-year (or 130,000km*) bumper-to-bumper mechanical warranty.

The new customer care package also includes five years’ roadside assistance.

“We’re delighted to offer this unprecedented level of assurance to our new car customers,” said general manager of sales and marketing Peter Wilkins. “It demonstrates the faith we have in the long-recognised reliability of our vehicles.”

“Mitsubishi’s vast experience in developing high-performance engines and drivelines, and the oils and lubricants that have to meet the stresses and strains over the long term, has had a lot to do with us being able to lengthen the warranty so significantly,”

“Diamond Advantage is the best new car warranty and customer care available in New Zealand. It will provide future customers with unprecedented peace of mind and comprehensive support” said Mr Wilkins.

Diamond Advantage Warranty overview:

Diamond Advantage Warranty applies to all new Mitsubishi cars, SUVs, utes and vans.

Mitsubishi’s 10-year or 160,000km* powertrain warranty covers the following components:
- Engine
- Turbo charger
- Water pump
- Engine transmission mounts
- Transmission/transaxle (auto/manual)
- 4WD transfer case
- Propeller shaft
- Drive shafts and axels
- Differential

* Whichever occurs first. For full terms and conditions visit www.mmnz.co.nz