Mitsubishi Malaysia retires the Outlander, new model coming?

KUALA LUMPUR: In February 2017, the Outlander arrived as a fully imported 7-seat SUV and its sales volume was not very encouraging as the asking price was RM 166,720 whilst its immediate rivals were better priced due to local assembly.

Then in September the same year, this recently retired Outlander was launched in Malaysia as a locally assembled model, and with a selling price of RM 139,988 its sales picked up quickly.

The 2.4L 16V MIVEC engine was brisk with 167 bhp and 222 Nm of torque. The Nissan X-Trail 2.5L was its immediate rival at RM 165,800 and it delivered 171 bhp and 233 Nm of torque with seating for 7 as well. This X-Trail model is still on sale in Malaysia, yes it has been facelifted with added features, but there is already an all-new model in neighbouring Singapore for more than a year and some Malaysians are looking forward to its arrival.

Meanwhile, we have published news about the all-new 2021 model Outlander with award-winning features and great aggressive looks, but to date there has been no confirmation on its arrival and launch in Malaysia.

Mitsubishi Malaysia continues to see high sales with their Xpander family vehicle and their tough and well-equipped Triton pickup truck which has good sales in East Malaysia as well as in the booming oil and gas town of Pengerang, in Johor.

Powering the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander is a newly developed 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle-shift enabled Sport mode to access 8 preset gear ratios.

Additionally, a new 'drive-by wire' transmission shifter combined with new CVT control logic, delivers a more direct shift operation and a more 'natural' Automatic Transmission-like feeling under large throttle inputs, while retaining the smooth cruising and efficiency benefits of the CVT.

Mitsubishi's motorsport-derived Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system provides drivers with six drive modes that will adjust the electronically-controlled 4WD system to best suit the road surface/conditions. This allows drivers to feel more confident in all driving situations.

The re-engineered S-AWC system includes enhanced Active Yaw Control, now including rear wheel brake control for independent control of all four wheels, and the evolution of 4WD control with a new hydraulically activated direct coupling device for a faster all-wheel response.

Mitsubishi's unique tuning of the system draws on many decades of advanced 4WD systems development to provide greater driving confidence with predictable dynamic behaviours.

Also read: Mitsubishi in plans to bring back the Ralliart name