A Japanese company comes to India and becomes the best selling automaker in the country. Yes, I am talking about Suzuki which owns a major stake in Maruti Suzuki. Then, from the very same land came Mitsubishi. Pajero Sport and Lancer are one of the most well-known cars from the carmaker. There is one more, the Mitsubishi Outlander. A global SUV that Mitsubishi made available for Indians in 2008. Let’s find out what did the SUV offer at that time.
2008 – Mitsubishi Launches Outlander In India
The Outlander that came to our shores was the second generation. Outlander was launched back in 2001 in Japan originally known as Mitsubishi Airtek. Let us first take a look at the engine specs of this SUV.
Engine Specifications |
|
Engine | 2.4-Litre DOHC 16-valve MPI MIVEC |
Power | 167.67hp @6,000 rpm |
Torque | 226 Nm @4,100rpm |
Transmission | 6-speed Manual / INVSECS-III CVT |
Max Speed | 190 kmph |
Wheel Drive | 4WD |
The powerful engine equipped with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) system blended fuel efficiency with performance. It was mated to a 6-speed Manual transmission as well as a CVT as an option. The best part, it was equipped with Paddle Shifters. You read that right! Magnesium Paddle Shifters in the proximity of your fingers while you hold the steering. Put the car in sports mode and let the adrenaline rush begin.
How big of an SUV are we talking about?
Let’s take a look at the dimensions of the Mitsubishi Outlander.
Dimensions |
|
Length (mm) | 4,665 |
Width (mm) | 1,800 |
Height (mm) | 1,720 |
Wheelbase (mm) | 2,670 |
Kerb Weight (kg) | 1,615 |
Ground Clearance (mm) | 215 |
Min. Turning Radius (m) | 5.3 |
With such a muscular stance and proportions, Outlander surely had an SUV statement. And with such a compact turning radius, Outlander was not meant to get confined in small spaces.
What are the safety features, Mitsubishi Outlander had to offer?
Safety Features |
|
Multi-mode Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) | |
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) | |
HID Headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System | |
Dual Airbags | |
Head Impact Mitigating Trim (Pedestrian Safety) | |
Auto Door Locking System | |
Cruise Control | |
Collapsible Steering Column |
Mitsubishi Outlander is one hell of an SUV with safety at its paramount. In 2012, Outlander scored a 5-star rating at the Euro NCAP crash testing. The carefully designed crumple zones and the RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) structure made sure that the occupants, as well as the pedestrians, are safe.
What were the comfort and Convenience features at offer?
Comfort/Convenience Features |
|
Fully Automatic Air Conditioner | |
Rockford Fosgate Sound System | |
Multi-Information Display | |
Keyless Operating System | |
Independent Suspension at 4 wheels | |
All-Wheel Control | |
Cooled Upper Glove Box |
In 2008, this SUV offered a lot more than the cars that were present in the Indian market. Mitsubishi Outlander missed Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but, hey! aren’t we talking about 2008?
The revolutionary All-Wheel Control (AWC) Technology!
Mitsubishi equipped the Outlander with this tech in which all the 4 wheels are controlled independently. With their experience of some of the world’s toughest Motorsports events such as Dakar offroad rally, Mitsubishi made sure that Outlander offers everything that can help in conquering every terrain.
But, why did the Outlander fail in India?
It was offered with a price tag of over ₹20 lakhs. Indians were not ready to spend this much amount on an SUV when companies like Mahindra and Tata were offering dirt-cheap SUVs although they were in no comparison with this SUV. It was later given a facelift and a new-gen also followed. It is still on sale in India but sadly, still no charm.
Take a look: Mitsubishi and Why the brand Failed in India?