Vehicle Tests > Smart Choice

Weight saving was also a key factor in the design of both the inline four and V6 engines that each use alloy blocks and cylinder heads plus plastic resin intake manifolds and rocker covers. Both engines are all new from Mitsubishi and both feature MIVEC variable valve timing.
The inline four is a 2359cc, DOHC, 16-valve unit that produces 125kW at 6000rpm and 226Nm at 4100rpm. MIVEC operates on both the intake and exhaust camshafts, which are hollow to further save weight, and the engine is mounted so that the intake is at the front of the vehicle and the exhaust toward the rear. The 2.4 is claimed to deliver 9.5L/100km ADR 81/01 fuel consumption, which is 16 percent better than the previous four-cylinder Outlander.

The 2998cc V6 is another new engine for Mits and not a three-litre we've seen from them before. Using the weight reducing materials as mentioned previously, this new engine is some 25kg lighter than Mitsubishi's old 3.0L V6. It uses SOHC, 4-valve-per cylinder heads with MIVEC operating on the intake only. A variable length intake manifold also aids the ability to produce a flat torque band. It has 276Nm at 4000rpm peak with 90-percent of that available from 2000rpm. Peak power is 162kW at 6250rpm and the all important fuel figure is just 10.9L/100km.

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Two new transmissions are offered behind the new engines - an INVECS controlled CVT with the four and a similarly controlled six-speed auto behind the V6. The CVT operates between the ratios of 2.349:1 and 0.394:1 with a final drive of 6.466:1. It also has six stepped ratios than can be operated in the transmission's sports mode. These can also be operated using shift paddles behind the steering wheel on the XLS model. The conventional auto also has shift paddles on both the VR and VRX models. The shift paddles are easier to use than many similar set ups and we actually found ourselves using them on both the four and six cylinder Outlanders.

Offroad or soft-road?
Whereas previous Outlanders have always been full-time AWD the ZG has a switchable on-demand system offering 2WD (front) AWD (on-demand) and AWD lock. The AWD lock mode is still on-demand but simply directs more drive to the rear more of the time to ensure there's drive there when you need it.

Longitudinal drive distribution is handled by what Mitsubishi calls an electronically controlled coupling (ECC) located at the rear diff. This is a clutch that locks up to supply drive to the rear as required by the available traction at the front. 2WD to AWD can be switched on the move and in 'AWD Lock' around 1.5 times as much drive is directed to the rear axle. The lock mode can be used at any speed unlike some other systems.

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