The Outlander makes Middle East debut

"Steeped in tradition, yet heavily influenced by modern technology, Middle Eastern motorists are still deeply attached to routes that draw them closer to nature," explained Konstantinos Tsiknas, General Manager, Middle East & Africa Department of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). "Whether it be in the vast expanses of dry desert covering most of the GCC or the snowy hills of the Levant countries, the increasingly urban population still takes time to regularly venture beyond the city limits and experience nature."

"Global trends in the cross-country 4WD vehicle segment are shifting from authentic heavy-duty vehicles to more easy-to-use and sporty vehicles (crossover SUV) and the trend will also be prominent in the Middle Eastern market" Tsiknas added.

These comments highlighted the recent unveiling of Mitsubishi's latest addition to its existing range of prestigious automobiles available in the Middle East. For the Japanese car manufacturer, the new Outlander should be well positioned to respond to a growing appetite for SUV's in the region.

With the Outlander, Mitsubishi has once again delivered an outstanding vehicle designed to satisfy the ever-growing search for freedom, in town or off-road. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mr. Muneyoshi Namba, in charge of the development of the Outlander, Mitsubishi's latest compact SUV all- terrain vehicle commented "Whether it is a trek to the hills for a mountain bike ride, a pick-up at the airport, or a shopping spree at the mall, the Outlander's serves its owner as a user-friendly accessory that can tame the challenges of urban life."

Present at the launch were high-ranking officials from Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, as well as top media representatives from all over the region. As the smoke cleared, the select invitees were able to view the breathtaking new features of this highly acclaimed 4WD vehicle.

The Outlander is an exciting, 5-passenger crossover SUV, that combines bold styling, all-weather capability and urban utility in a compact package. "With the Outlander, Mitsubishi recognizes that managing everyday life is the most challenging ride a driver can find nowadays", Namba pointed out. "This latest addition to the S.U.V. market is bound to become an integral lifestyle partner for the most discerning driver. Launching this vehicle hot on the heels of its recent victory in the prestigious Dakar Rally highlights Mitsubishi's commitment to introduce superior performance off-road vehicles in the region".

Powered by a 4-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine delivering 146 HP, the Outlander offers an ideal mix of comfort and performance in busy city streets as well as in wide-open spaces. Low RPM torque and responsive, yet fuel-efficient acceleration are just some of the features of this new SUV. Off-road capabilities are enhanced by the possibility of shifting the 4-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode, significantly expanding the driver's realm of possibilities.

On the inside, the Outlander is a 'crossover S.U.V.' replete with all the conveniences and interior styling cues one usually finds in luxury saloons. The interior is covered by new textured materials and intuitively laid-out gauges and controls, easily monitored from the ergonomically designed, raised driving position.

The Outlander's flexible seating and expandable cargo space make trips to the hardware store a much simpler chore. The versatile rear cabin area, with split, flat-folding rear seats, yields a generous cargo area that can handle a variety of stowage headaches. The hydraulically assisted rear lift gate can be operated with one hand and swings high to clear taller heads, while a knee-height cargo floor, which hides the spare tire, eases the lift-over and accessibility of loading.

The Outlander's exterior styling is a unique, aggressive departure from the "me-too" compact S.U.V. designs that currently inhabit the market. Outlander GLS's clear rear tail-light lenses add a dosage of urban-chic and styling to the compact S.U.V. class. A two-tone body treatment offsets painted sheet metal with warm grey on the Outlander's bumpers and chip-resistant urethane side sills.

A center differential and viscous-coupling unit ensure power is adequately distributed to all parts of the drive train, making the Outlander a solid vehicle on all surfaces. Furthermore, McPherson suspension struts up front and a multi-link, coil-sprung arrangement at the rear guarantees superior vehicle control and stability with a decidedly light, car-like sense of handling.

The all-wheel independent suspension supports the Outlander's rigid yet lightweight monocoque body that also features a long 2.65-meter wheelbase that improves ride quality without sacrificing handling. The Outlander's body structure is carefully designed to help optimize occupant safety in the event of a collision. The vehicle's front and rear sections are engineered as crush zones to absorb impact energy, while passengers are protected by a high-strength cabin structure at the center of the vehicle. Standard driver's and front passenger's SRS airbag system and ABS with EBD -Electronic Brake-force Distribution- system (standard for GLS) add measures of vehicle safety.

The Outlander's amazing versatility is available in two distinct models, GLX and GLS, each combining a unique range of features and optional equipment. The GLX includes a myriad of standard exterior features such as rugged roof rails, rear spoiler, color keyed door handles as well as air conditioning, power windows, central door locking system; rear intermittent wiper, reclining rear seats, and electronic immobilizer.

Outlander GLS comes with such amenities as a sunroof, large rear spoiler, color-keyed side mirrors, fog lamps, 16.5 inch spoke alloy wheels, clear tail lamp lenses, tonneau cover and cruise control. The Limited Appearance Package (LAP) exterior adds gold emblems and chrome-plated outer and inner door handles.

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