New Mitsubishi Outlander 2016, a turning point for the brand

We have been announcing it since last year: the update that the Mitsubishi Outlander undergoes in 2015 goes well beyond a mere aesthetic rejuvenation. The Japanese brand, when announcing this debut for the New York Motor Show, reminded us that it is the first production car to wear its new design language. But the new Outlander has more aces up its sleeve with which to inaugurate a new era at Mitsubishi.

Before dissecting these novelties -more than a hundred, according to the manufacturer- let’s focus on analysing in depth the visual changes the SUV undergoes. Many of the external alterations you already know: the front end of the Outlander PHEV Concept-S prototype, larger rear lights, a restyled rear bumper, new chrome details and a differentiated range of wheel finishes and designs.

The 2016 Outlander gains three centimetres in length compared with the previous model, and a mounting mechanism for the roof rails that is easier to use. In addition, the external mirrors can be fitted with heating, although their availability in the European range has not yet been confirmed.

The cabin changes consist of a steering wheel that is slightly more striking -depending on the equipment level-, new decorative inserts for the doors and dashboard, more comfortable surfaces for the front seats, a rear seat easier to fold down and the new Mitsubishi Multi Communication System multimedia system with navigation.

The update includes a thorough revision of the vehicle’s mechanical side. The new Outlander has a stiffer structure and suspension and an electric power steering recalibrated, all so that it offers a more precise feel and a more pleasant drive. The sound insulation has also been reinforced, for example through thicker glass in the rear side windows.

Mitsubishi has not yet specified which engines will be sold in Europe. It only states that the powerplants will deliver improved performance and that the continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT) has been retuned so that it changes gears with greater smoothness and delivers torque with greater promptness.

Another of the 2016 Outlander’s strengths lies in its safety equipment. Nowadays, almost any car worth its salt must reach the market with the latest driver assistance systems, and the SUV from Mitsubishi will benefit from a wide range. The brand assures that it will be possible to fit it with automatic emergency braking in the city, lane departure warning or active cruise control, among others.

Source | Mitsubishi