- Mitsubishi Outlander
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For the vehicle known in the United States as the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, see Mitsubishi RVR.
Mitsubishi Outlander 
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors Also called Mitsubishi Airtrek (2001–05) Production 2001–present Class Compact crossover SUV Body style 4-door SUV Layout Front engine, front-/four-wheel drive Designer Olivier Boulay (Outlander) The Mitsubishi Outlander is a crossover manufactured by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors. It was originally known as the Mitsubishi Airtrek when it was introduced in Japan in 2001, and was based on the Mitsubishi ASX concept vehicle exhibited at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. The ASX (Active Sports Crossover) represented Mitsubishi's approach to the industry wide SUV trend for retaining the all-season and off-road abilities offered by a high ground clearance and four-wheel drive, while still offering car-like levels of emissions, economy and size.[1]
The original Airtrek name was chosen to "describe the vehicle’s ability to transport its passengers on adventure-packed journeys in a 'free-as-a-bird' manner",[2] and was "coined from Air and Trek to express the idea of footloose, adventure-filled motoring pleasure."[3] The Outlander nameplate which replaced it evoked a "feeling of journeying to distant, unexplored lands in search of adventure."[2]
The second generation of the vehicle was introduced in 2005 and all markets including Japan adopted the Outlander name, although production of the older version continued in parallel. It was built on the company's GS platform, and used various engines developed by Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and PSA Peugeot Citroën. PSA's Citroën C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007, which are manufactured by Mitsubishi in Japan, are badge engineered versions of the Outlander.[4]
Contents
First generation
First generation 
Also called Mitsubishi Airtrek Production 2001–08 (Airtrek)
2003–06 (Outlander)Assembly Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
Kurashiki, Okayama, JapanPlatform CU2W/CU4W/CU5W[clarification needed] Engine 4G63 2.0 L DOHC I4
4G64 2.4 L DOHC GDI I4
4G63T 2.0 L DOHC I4 turbo
4G69 2.4 L I4 (Outlander)Transmission 5-speed manual
'4-/5-speed INVECS-II semi-auto- 4-speed
- 5-speed (turbo)
Wheelbase 2,625 mm (103.3 in) Length 4,410 mm (173.6 in) (Airtrek)
4,545 mm (178.9 in) (Outlander)Width 1,750–1,780 mm (68.9–70.1 in) Height 1,540–1,585 mm (60.6–62.4 in) (Airtrek)
1,605–1,685 mm (63.2–66.3 in) (Outlander)Curb weight 1,605–1,745 kg (3,540–3,850 lb) Related Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Grandis
Mitsubishi RVR
2001 Mitsubishi Airtrek (JDM)
The Airtrek was first introduced to the Japanese market on June 20, 2001, priced from ¥1.7–2.3 million. It offered a choice of either a 126 PS (93 kW) 4G63 2.0 L or a 139 PS (102 kW) 4G64 2.4 L GDI, mated to a standard INVECS-II 4-speed semi-automatic transmission. Both front- and four-wheel drive were available. The four-wheel drive version uses open differentials for the front and rear axles, with a viscous coupling unit for the center differential. A high performance model, using a detuned version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution's 4G63T 2.0 L turbo, was introduced in 2002.[5] The engine produced 240 PS (180 kW) and 343 N·m (253 lb·ft), although in export markets the Outlander version's output was reduced to 202 PS (149 kW) and 303 N·m (223 lb·ft). The return of four-cylinder engines under 2.0 liters offered Japanese buyers a vehicle that was in compliance with Japanese regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement, which offered tax advantages.
The Outlander arrived in 2003 in North America, replacing the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, with a modified front grille and headlights which increased the overall length by approximately 130 millimetres (5.1 in), and the two models were manufactured in parallel thereafter. It shared its platform with the Mitsubishi Grandis, also introduced in 2003.[citation needed] A version of the 4G64 powerplant was offered first, while a 4G69 2.4 L SOHC MIVEC I4 producing 120 kW (160 PS) and 220 N·m (160 lb·ft), and the turbocharged 4G63T appeared in 2004. All had the option of front- or four-wheel drive.
In several South American markets it was known as the Montero Outlander, to benefit from an association with the strong-selling Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
2006 Mitsubishi Outlander (Canada)Second generation
Second generation 
Production 2005–present Assembly Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
Born, Netherlands (European market)
Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan,
Laem Chabang, Thailand(for Singapore market only)
Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, IndiaPlatform Mitsubishi GS platform Engine 4B11 2.0 L DOHC MIVEC I4 (Japan)
4B12 2.4 L DOHC MIVEC I4
6B31 3.0 L SOHC MIVEC V6
VW 2.0 L TDI
PSA DW12 2.2 L HDI
4N14 2.3 L Di-D MIVECTransmission 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed INVECS-III semi-auto
6-speed twin-clutch transmissionWheelbase 2,670 mm (105.1 in)
2008-09 (International)): 2,830 mm (111.4 in)Length 2006-07 (International)/2007-09 (US/Canada): 4,640 mm (182.7 in)
2008-09 (International): 4,765 mm (187.6 in)
2010- (International): 4,665 mm (183.7 in)Width 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
2008-09 (International): 1,795 mm (70.7 in)Height 2006-07 (International)/2007-09 (US/Canada): 1,680 mm (66.1 in)
2008-09 (International): 1,655 mm (65.2 in)
2010-: 1,720 mm (67.7 in)Curb weight 1,600–1,720 kg (3,500–3,800 lb) Related Mitsubishi Lancer
Citroen C-Crosser
Peugeot 4007
Mitsubishi RVR
Mitsubishi GrandisOn October 17, 2005, Mitsubishi launched the second generation model, dropping the Airtrek in Japan in favour of adopting the global name.[6] It features a new DOHC 2.4 L 16-valve MIVEC engine; INVECS-III continuously variable transmission (CVT), Mitsubishi's AWC system which features electronically controlled four wheel drive and stability control, on a stretched Mitsubishi GS platform. The North American version, powered by a newly designed 6B31 3.0 L V6 SOHC MIVEC was shown in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show prior to its release in October the same year. Due to the availibility of a V6 engine, Mitsubishi returned to offering a shorter version of this vehicle, and reintroduced the Mitsubishi RVR February 17, 2010. The usage of a four-cylinder engine under 2.0 liters offers Japanese buyers a vehicle that was in compliance with Japanese regulations concerning exterior dimensions and engine displacement, which has tax advantages, giving buyers the ability to purchase a vehicle capable of seating seven people without paying the tax penalty of a larger engine.
The Outlander, which features Mitsubishi's RISE safety body, received a four star rating from the Euro NCAP car safety performance assessment programme.[7] One of its unique features is something Mitsubishi calls a "Flap-Fold Tailgate"; it is a two-piece tailgate integrated into the rear bumper that folds down for easy loading, while serving as a bench when the tailgate is open, able to accomodate up to 400 pounds[8]
In its home market of Japan it was the best-selling SUV from October 2005 to March 2006,[9] while in the U.S. market it achieved 1,694 and 2,108 sales in November and December 2006, the first two full months it was available;[10][11] Mitsubishi ultimately hopes for at least 4,000 sales per month in the United States,[12] and after the cancellation of the Mitsubishi Grandis in model year 2011, the Outlander is now Mitsubishi's only MPV capable of carrying seven passengers with all wheel drive. In Chile, where both generations were on sale simultaneously, the new model was badged Outlander K2.
Facelifted European Outlander
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS (US)Increased demand for the new Mitsubishi Lancer, and the consequent effects on the capacity of the company's Mizushima production facility, have obliged Mitsubishi to reassess production of the Outlander. In September 2007, they announced that from 2008, production of European market Outlanders would be transferred from Nagoya to its NedCar plant in the Netherlands, while the Citroën C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 would have their production transferred from Mizushima to Nagoya.[13]
The model was facelifted for the 2008 model year, although the 2007 grille carried over in the United States and Canada for 2008-09 until another facelift in the 2010 model year.
At the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the company displayed a Mitsubishi Evolander (now known as Mitsubishi Outlander Ralliart) concept, powered by a 240 kW (330 PS) supercharged version of the vehicle's 6B31 V6 engine and equipped with suitably uprated suspension, brakes, wheels/tires, body kit and interior.[14] A second show car, an Outlander GT Prototype with a front grille based on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, was exhibited at the 2009 New York International Auto Show,[15] and formed the basis of the facelifted model introduced in late 2009.[16]
Along with a major facelift for the 2010 model year, the top end Outlander XLS (GT in the US) introduced a new colour MFD dashboard display and the Mitsubishi S-AWC AWD system. The lower trims retain the previous MFD and the less advanced AWC AWD system. Likewise, the interior was also slightly revised to incorporate leather into the dashboard trim and doors.
Annual production and sales
Year Production Sales Airtrek Outlander Airtrek (Japan) Airtrek (export) Outlander (Japan) Outlander (export) 2001 21,245 - 19,160 601 - - 2002 68,431 - 14,132 45,845 - 7,060 2003 77,331 - 7,427 7,917 - 60,512 2004 60,817 - 3,198 320 - 56,997 2005 49,596 21,173 1,030 302 18,919 48,822 2006 31,326 81,883 10 248 16,734 91,693 2007 10,857 170,084 - - 11,194 157,292 2008 5,714 129,383 - - 6,531 115,849 (sources: Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2009, Mitsubishi Motors website)
Footnotes
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors' ASX Concept at Detroit Show gives sneak peak at the next generation Global Multi-Activity Vehicle", Mitsubishi-Motors.com press release, January 10, 2001
- ^ a b Fact & Figures 2005, p.33, Mitsubishi Motors website
- ^ "MMC announces smart all-rounder AIRTREK model", Mitsubishi-Motors.com press release, June 20, 2001
- ^ "New Peugeot/Citroen off-roader", Motoring.co.za, October 30, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors exhibits at 37 th Tokyo Motor Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 15, 2003
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors launches all-new Outlander", Mitsubishi-Motors.com press release, October 17, 2005
- ^ Mitsubishi Outlander, EuroNCAP[dead link]
- ^ Mitsubishi Sales Brochure printed January 2011
- ^ "New Mitsubishi Outlander Japan's Best Selling SUV", WorldCarFans.com, April 21, 2006
- ^ "All-New Outlander Leads Mitsubishi To November Sales Increase", Mitsubishi Motors North America press release, December 1, 2006
- ^ "December Auto Sales: Mitsubishi", Associated Press/BusinessWeek, January 3, 2007
- ^ "New products need to be hits for Mitsubishi to stay in U.S. market", Kathy Jackson, Automotive News, May 30, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors transfers Outlander production for Europe", Mitsubishi Motors press release, September 18, 2007
- ^ "Mitsubishi Evolander", Josh Jacquot, Inside Line: 2006 SEMA Show, Edmunds.com
- ^ New York: Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype gets a EVOplasty snarl, Autoblog, April 8, 2009
- ^ "New Mitsubishi Outlander Reveals Aggressive Styling And Upgraded Features", Voxy.co.nz, November 10, 2009
External links
- Outlander global website
- Outlander official page (Japanese)
Mitsubishi Motors North America timeline Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 Subcompact Cordia Tredia Mirage Mirage Mirage Precis Compact Mirage Lancer Lancer Galant Galant Sigma Galant Diamante Sport compact Eclipse Eclipse Eclipse Eclipse Lancer Evolution Lancer Evolution Mid-size Galant Galant Diamante Diamante Sports car Starion 3000GT Station wagon Space Wagon Expo Expo LRV Compact XUV Outlander Outlander Outlander Sport/RVR Mid-size XUV Endeavor Minivan Vanwagon Sport utility vehicle Montero Sport Montero Montero Montero Pickup Mighty Max Mighty Max Raider Categories:- Mitsubishi Motors vehicles
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- Vehicles introduced in 2001
- Vehicles with CVT transmission
- Partial zero-emissions vehicles
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