Mitsubishi Outlander: Combinator
The Outlander is the first to use shared technological multifunctional models, born from the collaboration between Mitsubishi, DaimlerChrysler and PSA. The compact SUV comes standard with a dual gearbox and a VW diesel engine. Test of the maximum performance of the model.
In fact, the name of this machine is a little misleading. While the Mitsubishi brand is most often associated with classic Pajero-style tough SUVs when it comes to off-road vehicles, the Outlander remains the representative of the school of urban off-road vehicles, whose main vocation is clearly not to deal with heavy obstacles beyond the paved road boundary. As is the case with its main rivals such as the Toyota PAV4, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Captiva, etc., the Outlander has a standard all-wheel drive system, primarily for good traction in all weather conditions and, as a result, higher active safety - things like unforgettable off-road talent are not discussed here.
Therefore, analogies with the older brother Pajero turn out to be redundant and completely unnecessary - without claiming a place among real SUVs, Outlander is an extremely practical and functional model with seven seats and a gigantic luggage compartment, the full load of which seems almost unattainable. Its lower part provides a very low edge of the trunk, and itself can withstand a load of up to 200 kilograms.
With an abundance of black plastic, the interior may not look very hospitable, but the feeling of comfort is greatly enhanced after a long acquaintance with its qualities. The quality of workmanship is at a good level, the materials are of sufficient quality, and the model boasts of especially high quality thin leather upholstery. A minor impression is made by a slight creak of some plastic parts when moving over broken areas. From an ergonomic point of view, the cabin is really perfect - the large buttons for controlling the automatic air conditioning system could hardly be made more comfortable, and the extremely wide range of adjustment of the driver's seat allows him to provide excellent visibility not only to other movements and even to the hood. The four-wheel drive system is controlled by a large, round button located directly in front of the six-speed gear lever. It is possible to activate three modes of operation - classic front-wheel drive, automatically activated all-wheel drive (when slippage is detected on the front wheels, the rear axle comes to the rescue) and a mode marked 4WD Lock, in which the gear ratio to both axles is fixed in one fixed position.
From the point of view of fuel economy, the option of driving with only front-wheel drive is logically the most suitable, but apparently, it is mainly suitable for driving on the highway or at high speed on intercity roads in good condition. This finding is a consequence of the fact that when driving on asphalt with poor grip or faster acceleration, rotation of the front wheels becomes common and thus impairs cornering safety and straight-line stability. This is why it is better to choose one of the 4WD Auto or even 4WD Lock modes, in which the traction problem automatically disappears and road stability is significantly improved.
The suspension does a great job and provides a nice compromise between comfort and road holding. The limits of its driving performance are only visible when passing especially rough bumps, and the dynamics of the road is impressive for a car in the SUV category (a significant contribution to the latter is made by precise steering). Body lean in a corner is relatively small, and when reaching the limit mode, the ESP system (which in this model carries the designation (ASTC) works a little rough, but really effective. When driving in urban conditions, it is instantly impressive with a phenomenally small turning radius for a class of only 10,4 meters - an achievement that has practically no analogues among competitors.
The Outlander DI-D drive is assigned to a wonderful two-liter engine from the Volkswagen TDI series, which we know from many models of the German concern. Unfortunately, at 140 horsepower and 310 Newton meters, the unit is not the most suitable solution for an SUV weighing about 1,7 tons. There is no doubt that even placed in a heavy body with not very good aerodynamics of this type, especially at medium speeds, the engine provides impressive (though not as impressive as models of Golf or Octavia caliber) traction. Sacho, that in the specific case of the Outlander, the task of an engine with a pump-injector is not an easy one - the short gears of the six-speed transmission help to optimize the use of torque, but, on the other hand, in combination with high weight, high speeds lead to almost constant maintenance, which in in turn negatively affects fuel consumption. The most significant disadvantage of the drive, which is quite far from the subtle ways of working, is its turbo bore, which in Volkswagen Group models seems less fatal and easily overcome, in Mitsubishi it becomes a clear disadvantage below 2000 rpm and more. with a somewhat unfamiliar operation of the clutch pedal, it creates a number of inconveniences when driving around the city.
Text: Bozhan Boshnakov
Photo: Borislav Petrov
Evaluation
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 DI-D Instyle
The weak points of the Outlander's drivetrain cannot overshadow the vehicle's harmonious overall performance, which will positively attract a large number of buyers with its modern stylish design, excellent value for money, plenty of space in the cabin and trunk, and a good balance between comfort and road safety.
technical details
| Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 DI-D Instyle | |
|---|---|
| Working volume | - |
| Power | 103 kW (140 hp) |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 10,5 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 42 m |
| full speed | 187 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 9,2 l / 100 km |
| Base Price | 61 990 levov |
