What to make of 380's second coming
Mitsubishi Australia rollout of a Series 2 version of the new 380 has caught out consumers. So, here's a full (re)-rundown of the changesRewind to last October and the tri-diamond brand was making big noises at the Sydney motor show as it pulled the covers off its all-new 380 sedan, touted as being "better built and better backed" than any other locally made car.
The plan was to sell 2500 380s a month and thereby ensure that a sound business case existed for Mitsubishi to continue manufacturing cars in Australia. However, monthly sales fell disappointingly short of this target from the outset and the company reluctantly conceded it had misread the dire state of the large-car segment and gotten the 380's value equation plain wrong.
Result? The recently launched
comprising a repositioned model line-up that represents sharper buying for large-car shoppers. Get this: it formerly cost at least $34,490 (plus on-roads) to get your bum in the seat of a 380, but that ask has now dropped appreciably to a far more enticing $27,990.If the feedback we're getting at CarPoint HQ is anything to go by, there remains some confusion about the changes. So here's a detailed model-by-model rundown...
ALL PRESENT AND CORRECT
First things first: there are no mechanical changes, so all models retain an unaltered 3.8-litre V6 with 175kW and 343Nm. As before, transmission choices comprise a five-speed manual or optional (standard in LX and GT) five-speed INVECS II 'Smart Logic' automatic transmission with 'Sports Mode' sequential shift.
The model line-up originally comprised the 380, 380 LS, 380 LX, 380 VRX and 380 GT, but the range now starts with the ES, and further up the ladder are the sports-oriented SX and VRX, the opulent LX and the 'sports luxury' GT.
Regardless of which model you choose, the following features come at no cost: four airbags (front and side), climate-control air-con, ABS brakes, power windows, cruise control, power-adjust driver's seat, trip computer and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
But what are the other key features of each variant? Read on for our complete model-by-model rundown...
The ES is the new entry-level model of the revised 380 line-up, but its standard kit list is still relatively generous -- despite a $6500 lower retail price than the superseded base model.
In addition to the features listed below, the ES also scores a six-speaker AM/FM radio/CD/MP3 player, lap-sash seatbelts for all five occupants, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and an emergency door-unlock function.
Choosing the five-speed automatic transmission adds $2000 to the price.
• Trip computer
• Power windows -- front and rear
• Steering wheel-mounted audio remote controls
• Driver and passenger airbags
• Front side airbags
• Climate-control air-conditioning with rear ducts
• Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Four-way power-adjust driver's seat
• 16-inch steel wheels
• Five-year roadside assistance
• Safety Style Pack (comprising traction control and 16-inch alloy wheels) is a $1000 option. This package formerly cost $1500 in the base model
380 SX
(from $32,990)
The newly added SX is positioned as the base sporting model in the 380 range and -- in keeping with its job description -- scores a few technical and cosmetic tweaks to distinguish it from the garden-variety ES.
The most significant dynamic/visual upgrades are in its six-spoke, 17-inch alloys and sports suspension with strut tower brace. The SX also gains traction control as standard, along with sports seats, 'ice-blue' sports instrumentation, a mesh grille and integrated fog lamps.
As with the ES, choosing automatic transmission adds $2000 to the price.
• Six-way power-adjust driver's seat
• Traction control
• Fog lamps
• Sports suspension
• Sports mesh grille
• Chrome exhaust tip
• Six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels
• Leather-bound steering wheel and gearknob
• Six-stack CD/MP3 stereo with eight speakers
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The VRX builds on the feature list of the SX, adding a handful of other goodies to justify its $4000 price premium over the latter. It's essentially unchanged over the Series I VRX, but the asking price has dropped by $1500 in the case of the manual version.
Like the SX, it rides on sports suspension and 17-inch alloys, but its rims are an eight-spoke design. Other visual clues that this is a VRX include reprofiled front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler.
Inside, you'll find leather-upholstered sports seats and mesh accents across the instrument panel. Once again, plumping for the five-speed auto entails an extra outlay of $2000.
• Sports leather seats
• Rear spoiler and sports front/rear bumpers
• Headlights with black bezels and custom tail-lights
• Eight-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels
• Sports suspension
• Six-way power-adjust driver's seat
• Six-stack CD/MP3 stereo with eight speakers
• Auto-dimming electric chromatic mirror
Although positioned above the VRX, the LX's focus is on luxury, rather than a sporting driving experience. Consequently it has softer suspension and makes do with 16-inch alloys.
17-inch alloys were formerly standard in the LX, but are now offered as part of a $990 option package that includes sports suspension and a strut tower brace. Also previously standard was an electric tilt-and-slide sunroof, which now adds $2000 to the price.
Do the maths and you'll immediately see why this variant is $3500 cheaper than before.
Befitting its luxury aspirations, the LX is distinguished by a chrome grille/surround and chrome rear accent. Inside, there's a central high-mounted audio display and lashings of cherry maple wood print and silver accent trim on the dashboard and door panels.
In true boardroom style, the seats are upholstered in 'stone' leather and the driver's pew is adjustable 10 ways and has three memory settings.
A five-speed auto is standard -- in fact, it's the only transmission you can have in the LX.
Key 380 LX features
• Driver's 10-way-adjustable power seat with three memory settings
• Cherry maple wood trim
• Stone leather upholstery
• Electric chromatic mirror (auto-dimming)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearshift knob/handbrake lever
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Traction control
• Chrome exhaust
• Six-disc CD/MP3 stereo with eight speakers
The range-topping 380 GT is targeted at buyers who want it all -- a full complement of luxury features, as well as some of the sporting kit that goes into the VRX.
The GT's equipment list includes 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, mesh grille, sports style front and rear bumpers with integrated air dams, fog lamps and an integrated rear spoiler.
Inside, you'll find sports seating with 'ergonomically positioned' door and centre-console armrests, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake lever and 'slate mahogany' accent panels.
Also standard are rear parking sensors, which are available as an option on other models.
An electric tilt-and-slide sunroof was formerly standard, but is now a $2000 option, which largely explains why the GT is $3000 cheaper than before.
Like the LX, the GT is offered only with a five-speed auto.
Key 380 GT features
• Driver's 10-way-adjustable power seat with memory
• Sports leather seats with armrests
• Eight-speaker, six-stack CD/MP3 stereo
• Sports luxury instrumentation
• Reversing sensors
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Five-year Premium roadside assistance
380 ES 3.8L V6 5sp Auto $29,990 NEW
380 SX 3.8L V6 5sp Man $32,990 NEW
380 SX 3.8L V6 5sp Auto $34,990 NEW
380 VRX 3.8L V6 5sp Man $36,990 (previously $38,490)
380 VRX 3.8L V6 5sp Auto $38,990 (previously $39,990)
380 LX 3.8L V6 5sp Auto $42,990 (previously $46,490)
380 GT 3.8L V6 5sp Auto $44,990 (previously $47,990)
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