Mitsubishi drops specification hints of incoming new Outlander

Still to be formerly launched, Mitsubishi has nonetheless continued “teasing” the all-new Outlander by confirming not only certain specification features, but also technical details of the fourth generation model that debuted internationally two years ago.

The twin of the new Nissan X-Trail as it rides on the same Renault-Nissan developed CMF-D platform, the Outlander, as before, will offer seven-seats from the get-go and follow the same approach as the Eclipse Cross in being the second model to receive Mitsubishi’s latest Dynamic Shield styling language in South Africa.

Dimensions

Measuring 4 709 mm long, 1 862 mm wide and 1 748 mm tall, the Outlander rides on a 2 705 mm wheelbase and for local market, will have a choice of two trim levels for the first time; the familiar GLS and the Aspire that becomes the range’s flagship.

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While both will come as standard with the Super All-Wheel Control system plus an electronic all-wheel-drive as well as the Lancer Evo derived Active Yaw Control, only the Aspire will be privy to 20-inch alloy wheels and sequential LED turning lights.

Spec

Both models do, however, receive a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control.

In the Aspire, the front seats are electric with added lumbar support for the driver, with integrated satellite navigation, tilting electric mirrors and a panoramic sunroof being other highlights.

Despite Mitsubishi not disclosing any more details, in Australia, where the Outlander is offered in four trim levels; ES, LS, Aspire and Exceed, a Head-Up Display comes included on the latter pair, along with a wireless smartphone charger and in the case of the Exceed, a 10-speaker Bose sound system.

Even more coy was Mitsubishi on the safety and driver assistance system, although items likely to be offered are Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Change Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Collision Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Junction Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Departure Warning and a surround-view camera system.

Petrol and CVT only

Unsurprisingly, the Outlander will once again be powered by a single engine in South Africa, the Nissan-derived normally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol that powers the X-Trail, and which makes 135kW/245Nm.

Hooked to a new drive-by-wire CVT Mitsubishi says delivers a shift action similar to a traditional torque-converter automatic, the setup results in a combined fuel consumption of 8.1 L/100 km with drive, as mentioned, going to all four corners as standard.

For the time being, the standout powertrain in the Outlander line-up, the plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a 20-kWh battery for a total system output of 125kW/232Nm, is not earmarked for South Africa.

As the Outlander’s development didn’t involve a turbodiesel engine dropped in favour of electrification, petrol motivation will remain the only option.

More details soon

At present, pricing for the Outlander remains unknown, but expect a considerable premium over the soon-to-be-outgoing model’s R609 990 sticker.

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