2WD Challenger targets haulers

Mitsubishi has launched a rear-wheel drive version of its Challenger offroader. The midsized wagon is aimed four square at those needing a tow vehicle capable of lugging 3000kg but not necessarily all-wheel drive. Caravanners and boaties are key among the target audience for the new Challenger.

Based on marque's Triton light commercial, the Challenger is built in the same facility in Thailand but features and integrated wagon body and unique coil sprung rear end.

Since its launch it has carved a small but consistent sales niche in the Medium SUV marketplace promising better refinement than its ute counterpart without compromising offroad ability. But, says Mitsubishi, a growing percentage of buyers are most interested in the vehicle's towing capacity.

The new rear-wheel drive variant will arrive as a new base model for the turbodiesel-only Challenger line-up. It is priced from $36,990 for the manual version and is based on the entry-level grade. Automatic transmission adds $2500 and you will have to tick the box for a safety pack if passenger safety is important to you.

As part of its MY2012 updates Mitsubishi has also announced extra equipment and improvements across the Challenger range.

In the two-wheel drive auto an option pack priced at $3640 adds important safety features such as reversing camera and side and curtain airbags. Also included in the pack are 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, auto wipers and lights, upgraded audio, tinted windows and roof rails. There are also exterior upgrades featured.

The rear-wheel drive Challenger is around 115kg lighter than its all-wheel drive counterpart and Mitsubishi claims it is more economical. In fact the improvement is marginal. Combined consumption for the auto version drops only 0.2L/100km to 9.6, while the manual version is 0.1L/100km better than its all-paw counterpart at 8.2L/100km.

Mitsubishi Australia President and CEO, Genichiro Nishina, told motoring.com.au the new Challenger was an important addition to the company's SUV lineup given the growing popularity of road-biassed versions of high-ride SUVs.

“The two-wheel drive segment is becoming increasingly popular with customers wanting versatile vehicles that offer economical performance without compromising towing ability,” Nishina said.

As noted above, the four-wheel drive Challenger variants have also come in for updates as part of the MY12 changeover.

A reversing camera is now a standard feature for the four-wheel drive LS and XLS models and there have been a number of interior upgrades. The seven-seat XLS gets new external mirrors with indicator repeaters and a rear spoiler. It also benefits from rear air-conditioning.

Stability control and antilock brakes are standard across the Challenger range.

A very quick drive of the rear-wheel drive Challenger gave motoring.com.au the opportunity to note a reasonable improvement in refinement from early build Challengers. Road rumble and noise generally is better controlled in the latest models, though the turbodiesel engine can still be obtrusive when under load.

On sealed surfaces the vehicle provides reasonable ride comfort and dynamics that will suit most buyers. Even in very strong crosswinds the car was stable at highway speeds. Performance is strong, at least when unladen.

On gravel, however, the rear-wheel drive Challenger is not the most confidence inspiring drive with its vague front end cause for a few heart flutters on loose corners even at a relatively slow pace. If your towing plans include dirt roads it's our advice that you stick to the all-wheel drive version.  

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