Mitsubishi tunes-up its line-up for 2011

With a quiet year ahead for all-new models, Mitsubishi has given key vehicles in its line-up an overhaul to keep them fresh – and to maintain sales momentum.

Mitsubishi is on track to sell a record number of imported vehicles in 2010. Sales to November have already eclipsed last year's full tally of 57,000 vehicle sales – and should overtake the previous year's total of 60,000 vehicle sales. This would be a record in Mitsubishi's 30-year history in Australia.

"We are up by 15 per cent, which is ahead of the market, so we are gaining share," said Mitsubishi Australia president and CEO Masahiko Takahashi. "But we want to make sure we are prepared for a tough year ahead."

After a new-model blitz over the past 18 months, the cupboard is bare for Mitsubishi for the next year or so. The all-new Colt light car, to be made in Thailand, is not due until 2012 at the earliest. And Triton and Pajero replacements are at least two-to-three years away.

Instead, the car maker has gone through and adjusted price and equipment on its existing key models.

All 2011 model Lancers will come with more sound deadening under the floor, rear seats, boot and wheel arches – and the exhaust manifold has changed for a more refined engine sound. Bluetooth is also now standard across the Lancer range.

A new SX model has been added to the Lancer line-up – positioned between the basic $21,490 ES and the $25,890 VR. In addition to the standard equipment list which includes six airbags, and stability control, the Lancer SX priced at $22,490 gains 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, leather steering wheel with audio controls.

Mitsubishi says 20 per cent of small-car buyers are in the $20,000 to $23,000 price bracket and this model is designed to appeal to private customers.

Meanwhile the entry price to the Outlander Compact SUV range has dropped by almost $5000 – to $28,990. Crucially Mitsubishi has done this by removing curtain airbags as well as the all-wheel-drive system. Standard in other Outlander models – and most rivals – side and curtain airbags are an $850 option.

A new, more rugged version of the Challenger 4WD – designed to appeal to the mining industry – has been introduced at $41,990 which is $3000 less than the previous entry point. But it too lacks curtain airbags (and chrome side mirror scalps and digital air-conditioning controls). Mitsubishi defended its decision to remove the curtain airbags on this model, saying that many mining companies install their own roll-over protection systems. The side curtains are an $850 option in this model too.

Meanwhile Mitsubishi's mothership four-wheel-drive, the Pajero, has spawned another limited edition.

Mitsubishi says the Pajero RX has $5000 worth of extra equipment but is the same price ($55,190) as the GLX on which it is based.

Available in 3.2-litre turbodiesel or 3.8-litre V6 petrol form, the Pajero RX gains 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome mirrors and door handles, rear privacy glass, a six-CD player, side steps with integrated mud guards, rear parking sensors and fog lamps. A sporty grille and badging set it apart from the GLX model.

"Despite the arrival of the Challenger, sales of the Pajero remain strong," Takahasi-san said.

"We knew there would be some competitor activity this year so we took some steps to make sure the Pajero remained attractive to customers."

Finally, after a five year absence, Mitsubishi has re-introduced a two-door extra-cab ute to the Triton range. Available with a ute tub or as a cab-chassis, Mitsubishi has elected to offer only one equipment grade – a workhorse model. Similar versions of other one-tonners account for around 70 per cent of sales of extra-cab 4WD utes.

The Triton Club Cab has occasional-use back seats for two occupants, with lap-sash belts for all four seating positions. It is available only with a 2.5-litre four cylinder turbodiesel (131kW/400 Nm) with five-speed manual and super-select 4WD mode (which can operate on tarmac, unlike rival 4WD ute systems). Driver and passenger airbags as well as antilock brakes are standard but but stability control is optional ($800). Side and curtain airbags are not available.

The Triton is still the only body-on-frame ute that offers stability control on a wide range of models.

Priced from $38,990 the Triton Club Cab is cheaper than the equivalent Toyota Hilux or Nissan Navara but slightly dearer than its counterparts from Ford and Mazda.

"We vacated this market some time ago but since then it has grown from 7000 to 10,000 units per year… So we felt it was time to re-introduce this model," Takahashi-san said.

The Mitsubishi chief acknowledges that next year will be tough for Mitsubishi because of a lack of all-new models, but he says the price and equipment changes will increase the appeal of Mitsubishi cars.

"Next year is relatively quiet and then after that the new models arrive in a rush again," he said.

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