Mitsubishi celebrates 500,000 unit sales with 3 new models
Leave it to Filipinos and Japanese who work together to know when to throw a party. When Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) announced that it had reached the cumulative sales of 500,000 units in this market since it started in 1971, the company took the opportunity to go one step further. The company introduced three new models into the market, effectively making the segments that they compete in wrapped with the sweet taste of variety.
Newly assigned company president and CEO Masahiko Ueki said, “We are very proud of this sales achievement and looking back at a half a million vehicles sold, we are so very thankful to our customers who have bestowed confidence to the Mitsubishi Motors brand. This achievement also inspires us and encourages us to be passionate, committed, and aggressive to ensure that we maintain Mitsubishi Motors dominant position in this market, especially now that we look forward to a resurgent Philippine automotive industry.”
That “resurgent Philippine automotive industry” Ueki-san speaks of has just been boosted by three new models from MMPC. MMPC unveiled the three models to the motoring media last week and all three can now be viewed in Mitsubishi showrooms nationwide.
2008 Outlander 2.4 GLX –
The Mitsubishi Outlander GLX 2WD marks Mitsubishi’s entry into the highly competitive entry level (read 2-wheels drive) compact SUV segment. The Outlander GLX 2WD looks exactly the four wheel drive variants (3.0 V6 GLS Sport 3.0 and 2.4 GLS), but is priced more competitively at P1,248,000. It is available in the following unique colors: Carbon Black, Sapporo Silver, Adobe Grey, Claysoil Beige, Cobalt Blue, and Biscuit White.
The Outlander 2.4 GLX –
The suspension system of the Outlander GLX is also similar to that of the 4x4 version: McPherson Struts up front and a heavy duty multi-link rear suspension both having stabilizer bars. Safety features are also in abundance. The Outlander 2.4 GLX –
2008 Grandis
The Mitsubishi Grandis has always been a favorite among the motoring media and the sleekly styled 5-door MPV gets a makeover for 2008. Black genuine leather seats and door trim inserts and seats with woodgrain panel accents grret you as you enter the MPV. The new Grandis is fitted with HID headlamps for increased driving visibility, front and rear parking sensors, and a sleeker glass printed radio antenna.
The Grandis has always been popular amongst the motoring media primarily for is its car-like ride, which can be attributed to the design of its all-wheel independent suspension. The independent lay-out has always resulted in quick response to the driver’s commands. Notable is how understeer is reduced and cornering stability is increased. Also, 5-spoke 16-inch wheels with 215/60 R16 low profile tires provides excellent grip on the road. Large 4-wheel disc brakes, assisted by the 4-sensor, 3 channel ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, drowns out the drama during emergency evasive braking maneuvers.
The Grandis’ interior is also stuff of good banter. The front seats have adjustable headrests, as well as slide and recline functions so that occupants can sit however they choose. They can be folded flat along with the second-row seats to create a full-length bed. The third-row 50:50-split seats can be reclined, tilted backwards with the tailgate open for use during rest stops, or folded up and stowed away under the floor, creating a larger cargo space.
The Grandis is powered by the 2.4-liter MIVEC 4G69 engine that produces maximum power of 165 PS at 6,000 rpm and 22.1 kg-m of torque at 4,000 rpm. Harnessing the power of this Grandis is the 4-speed INVECS-II automatic transmission with Sportronic mode.
Like in the Outlander GLX 2WD, safety is assured in the new Grandis as well. The Grandis uses Mitsubishi’s proprietary RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body technology, which uses a straight frame rail design to efficiently and effectively absorb and disperse collision energy. The use of composite materials like the octagon-section front chassis members and pillar bracing inside the body panels enhance the safety levels while reducing overall weight. Front and rear crumple zones, meanwhile, bend and deform to absorb impact energy before it can affect cabin space. Based on extensive in-house testing, the Grandis has achieved a 4-star European Standard rating for crashworthiness. Adding more safety into the Grandis, front occupants are protected by a comprehensive dual SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags and pretensioners plus force limiters for the front 3-point ELR seatbelts. The second row is equipped with two 3-point ELR/ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor for the Child safety seat) seatbelts plus a center lapbelt. Lastly, the third row is equipped with two 3-point ELR/ALR seatbelts.
The Grandis is available in seven colors: Cool Silver, Claysoil Beige, Gemstone Grey Mica, and Pyrenese Black. The suggested retail price now of the 2008 Grandis 2.4 MIVEC is P1,358,000.
2008 Pajero 4WD Special Edition
The iconic Pajero, meanwhile, now has a 2008 4WD Special Edition. Very distinct are its elegant black and beige color interiors and genuine beige leather seats with a driver’s 10-way and front passenger’s 8-way power adjustable seats.
It also sports a bolder but cleaner look that starts at the front with a new chrome radiator grille and an aggressive bumper. The Special edition’s hood, neawhile, is not made of sheet metal but of aluminum. This helps save weight and improve fuel economy. High Intensity Discharge headlamps then provide better luminance during the night. The side mirror with defogger also functions as a turn signal indicator and as an approach lamp. A new 6-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 265/65 R17 tires complements its muscular body. At the rear, the Pajero gets also a refreshed treatment with a new spare tire carrier design with integrated rear fog lamp.
The Special Edition Pajero’s new all-black dashboard houses the high-visibility, high contrast meter cluster, Multi-Information display that can tell the time, date, elevation, temperature readings, compass, average speed, fuel consumption among others. Also integrated on the new dashboard are the controls and display for the fully automatic climate control and the single in-dash CD/MP3 tuner with Digital Sound Processor and equalizer. The Pajero’s leather-wrapped 4-spoke steering wheel has integrated audio remote and cruise control switches. For convenience, the new Pajero is equipped with illuminated vanity mirrors, illuminated key cylinder, LED ceiling mood lamp, and front foot lamps.
Safety features of the new Pajero are standard setting, to say the least. Major features are the Mitsubishi Active Skid and Traction Control (M-ASTC) which controls engine power and brakes to prevent understeer or oversteer and its ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution acting on the 4-pot front disc brakes and rear disc brakes. The monocoque body frame has been developed under the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body frame technology (yes, the same one that is featured in the Grandis). The new Pajero is also fitted with side and curtain airbags. Finally, the new Pajero has an electro chromic rear view mirror that automatically dims the mirror to prevent glare from the headlamps of ensuing vehicles.
The new Pajero is now available with two more powerful engine options namely the 3.8 liter 6G75 V6 24-valve MIVEC gasoline engine and the Turbocharged and Intercooled 3.2 liter 4M41 16-valve Direct Injection Diesel Common Rail engine. The gasoline variant churns out 250 PS @ 6,000 rpm and 22.6 kg-m @ 2750 rpm thanks to the MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control) technology, while the diesel version that is fitted with a new Common Rail Injection system produces 165 PS @ 3,500 rpm and 38.1 kg-m @ 2,000 rpm. Both engines transfer power through a 5-speed INVECS-II with Sportronic plus it is mated to a high tech four wheel drive system called the Super Select II. The Super Select II system allows the driver to shift from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive and vice versa even without stopping. A refined version of the 4-wheel independent suspension is adopted from the previous model to provide excellent roadholding capability and ride comfort.
The new Pajero, which is completely imported from
All of the three models mentioned comes with 3-years vehicle warranty (or 100,000 kilometers whichever comes first) from MMPC. Do check them out at your nearest Mitsubishi dealership.
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