Mitsubishi 2007 Outlander

[hfelknor]

Full text at car and driver.







2007 Mitsubishi Outlander - Previews 1 | 2

A Lancer-based crossover may help this maker cross over to prosperity.
BY MIKE DUSHANE, September 2006


The latest Outlander is critical to Mitsubishi, because the past few years have been a disaster for the brand in the U.S. Freewheeling lending practices looked like a good idea at one time, until poorly qualified buyers reneged on their loans and the company burned up huge piles of cash as a result. Add that to a lackluster model lineup, and U.S. sales are about a third of what they were five years ago. A Mitsubishi executive recently suggested that if the Outlander and other new vehicles don’t start selling better, the company may be forced to abandon the U.S. market.

Thus, the 2007 Outlander enters the burgeoning crossover-SUV market on a mission. Like virtually every second-generation vehicle (the first Outlander debuted in 2002), this one has grown, being more of a mid-size SUV than a compact one, with available seating for seven. Although it’s based on the upcoming 2008 Lancer’s compact platform, the use of large wheels and tires — most models have 18-inchers — helps belie its econocar roots.




Mitsubishi certainly got it right with the vehicle’s styling. Pronounced fenders and crisp lines make it one of the most distinctive SUVs around. It looks so good that it creates a bit of a problem for the mid-size Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV, which isn’t that much bigger than the Outlander, is far less stylish, and isn’t available with a third-row seat. There’s only one engine for U.S.-bound Outlanders: a 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 220 horsepower and 204 pound-feet of torque. It’s a smooth-enough engine, but it lacks midrange muscle compared with the optional V-6s in the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe, and it feels barely adequate for a vehicle that weighs 3800 pounds in all-wheel-drive form. A six-speed manumatic transmission with optional paddle shifters can be mated to front- or four-wheel drive, and stability control is standard


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No interest here.
But a couple of points of interest.

Interesting marketing, having an executive announce that if you
buy an Outlander, but not eough other people do, that you might be on your own, as Mitsu will pull out of the US market.

And not mentioned in the article is a neat feature.
They mention that the NAV is Hard Drive based, but they don't tell you that you get to use the Hard Drive to load down CDs, Ipods, etc. Up to 1200 songs. Now that's cool.
Maybe Nissan could incorporate that into the upcoming 2020 models.................


Homer

[GripperDon]

While I admire some of the features on the vehicle, my gut feeling is that one less auto brand in the US is a good thing. Survival of the fittest etc.

What i am really concerned about is the up coming onslaught of the "China" cars.

It is a real shame that the USA manufacturer's are so arrogant and so slow to get to market more of what sells in the USA. They have some good styling selections, but the mix of components, material quality etc. seems to be still missing the mark. Wonder what the new Ford shakeup will do.

Also they need to continue to work on their dealerships both sales and service department. I know the customer is never happy and is always complaining but if the cars were bullet proof the service department could go bye bye. I wonder if that is why they are not more reliable.

Finally I can never understand why everybody's service area can't sell tires ans change oil as quickly and cheaply as Cosco.

[Sharlin]

The American automakers lost their arrogance many years ago. Its the unions controlling the rank and file that haven't lost their arrogance.

Look at Saturn. Originally to only be built in Tennesee but that was lost when they wanted to use an existing platform. They could not build that platform in Tennesse because of union intervention - it was forced to a northern plant to protect jobs.

You really cannot believe how much power the unions have over the automakers. That is why their //automakers// best option is to shut plants down. Yet even then they have to do this on the same cycle as the contracts they negotiate with the unions.

Look at the mess Delphi is having. The arrogance of the union there is staggering.

[RayH]

I don't think Mitsubishi can compete in the mid-size market with the Outlander. The current Outlander is pretty good in it's class but if they're not going to differentiate themselves in the US by going at perhaps a more performance market than they've got an uphill battle.

What they should have done is brought over the current overseas Airtrek/Outlander turbo which uses a detuned Evolution engine.

Here's an example what you can do when you go all out on the current Outlander.

AMS Evolander

[charliedigital]

I was considering the '07 Outlander, until I discovered the awesomeness of a used low mileage Murano SE for about the same price (actually a little less). The Outlander is a nice sporty ride, but they dont look too hot until you get into the high trim levels, which run towards $25k.

Doesnt really compare to the Mo though...