Mitsubishi Challenges the new orthodoxy of SUVs

Mitsubishi is hoping to soak up some of the demand left unsated by the new, monocoque Kia Sorento and the social-climbing Toyota Prado.

Opting for a full chassis and a live rear axle held in place by a Panhard rod, the Mitsubishi Challenger is targeting serious offroaders buying in the budget end of the medium SUV segment. The rear suspension of the new model contributes to better-than-the-norm wheel articulation and the Challenger's ground clearance, approach and departure angles are all commendable for a vehicle that will also meet the requirements of most buyers seeking on-road touring competence as well as plodding along the trail.

Mitsubishi's own rally ace, Hiroshi Masuoka, was out here to demonstrate the Challenger's credentials to the local media at a 4WD testing facility in Queensland for the car's local launch -- and the media came away impressed.

"This car line fits in very neatly in between the Outlander and the Pajero," said Mitsubishi President and CEO, Robert McEniry, welcoming the new Challenger to the line-up. "Its introduction will certainly underscore, in our minds, that Mitsubishi is the home of four-wheel drives in the Australian market.

"It is a vehicle with real style and ideally suited to urban living as a family wagon. But its other personality is one of a real offroader vehicle -- with real four-wheel drive capability -- and it's in this area in particular that it distinguishes itself from other similar-sized, pretend offroad vehicles in the market that are built on a passenger-car platform, and are therefore not suited to the rugged outback of Australia."

While the Challenger resembles a Triton at the front, only the forward section of the chassis is shared with the light truck. At the rear, the Challenger's chassis is exclusive to the SUV. Power is derived from the same 2.5-litre common-rail turbodiesel four-cylinder installed in the Triton 4x4. Output is 131kW of power at 4000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2000rpm. Fuel consumption in combined-cycle ADR testing ranges from 8.3L/100km for the entry-level manual model to 9.8L/100km for the other variants in the range -- all automatics.

The manual transmission features five speeds and is only available in the basic Challenger LS with five seats. All other variants are equipped as standard with a five-speed automatic transmission and this box is also available as an option for the five-seat Challenger LS. A part-time four-wheel drive, the Challenger provides dual-range transfer through Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD system -- also a feature of the Triton range.

At speeds up to 100km/h, the driver can change from high-range 2WD to high-range 4WD and the centre differential can be locked by pushing the lever forward a further notch. From standstill, the lever can be depressed and pushed forward another step to engage low-range transfer. With the centre diff locked, the Challenger also offers the further benefit of a lockable rear differential, which can be enabled electrically from a button on the dash, to the right of the steering wheel.

The Challenger's underpinnings comprise double-wishbone front suspension, live rear axle (coil sprung, unlike the leaf-sprung Triton), rack-and-pinion power steering and ventilated disc brakes, front and rear. Mitsubishi advises that the Challenger is built on the same wheelbase as the long-wheelbase Pajero (2800mm), but is significantly shorter, at 4695mm. The Challenger's turning circle measures 11.2m and its ground clearance is 220mm. Approach, departure and rampover angles are: 35.6 degrees, 24.6 degrees and 23.1 degrees, respectively. Towing capacity is 2500kg. Any more than that and the Challenger would be infringing on the Pajero's turf.

Safety features include dual front airbags, side-curtain airbags, ABS/EBD, traction control, stability control, intrusion-minimising brake pedal, front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters. In low-range 4WD, the electronic safety aids are disabled.

Available in two levels of trim and as either five or seven-seat versions, the Challenger is priced from $44,490 for the manual variant of the Challenger LS with five seats. The automatic transmission for this variant adds $2500 ($46,990). Specifying a third-row seat for this model will cost a further $1900 ($48,890).

The five-seat version of the Challenger XLS costs $56,990 and comes as standard with the automatic transmission. At $58,890, the same vehicle with third-row seat crosses over into Luxury Car Tax territory.

Standard features in the Challenger LS specification (identified from the XLS by a black cross-hatched grille) comprise: side steps, leather trim for steering wheel/gear knob/transfer lever knob/parking brake handle, chrome door handles (inside and out), cloth trim inserts for door moulds, climate control, tilt-adjustable steering, cruise control, remote central locking, electric mirrors/windows, speed-sensitive variable intermittent dwell for wipers, remote cruise/audio controls on steering wheel, cloth seat trim, height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 splitfold second-row seat, recline/slide adjustment for second-row seat, headrests for all seats, six-speaker MP3-compatible CD audio system, multi-information display and 17x7.5-inch alloy wheels, shod with 265/65 tyres.

The Challenger XLS adds to this with the following features: body-colour/chrome rear garnish, woodgrain veneer, leather door inserts, leather seat trim, eight-speaker premium audio system, Mitsubishi Multi Communication System with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, reverse parking sensors/acoustic guidance, reversing camera, cargo blind (five-seat variant only) and five-year premium roadside assistance.

In addition, seven-seat models of both the Challenger LS and XLS also feature: Dual-zone climate controls with separate controls and underfloor storage behind third-row seat.

Mitsubishi advises the Challenger is being 'wholesaled' now, which means dealers are prepared to take orders and deliveries will commence within the next week or so.

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