SCOOP! New Mitsubishi driven!
July 24th 2010 13:34
The first motoring scoop from Autoloud!
Now sadly for Autoloud (and you) it is not an exotic Ferrari or Lamborghini, neither is it a new Falcon or even a new Holden.
I spent several hours behind the wheel of the latest weapon that Mitsubishi are about to add to their four wheel drive arsenal. The all new Mitsubishi ASX (Active Smart Crossover in Mitsubishi speak) is a major step forward in road behaviour from its much unloved and largely forgotten predecessor, the Pajero iO, however to all intents and purposes is now more than an all wheel drive - high riding Lancer.
The five door hatch was available to drive in both petrol and turbo diesel versions; Autoloud’s time was spent in the 4wd petrol version equipped with six speed CVT transmission complete with tip-tronic function. On the road the HRH (High Riding Hatchback) performed best left in “Drive” letting the CVT make its own mind up, changing it via tip-tronic did little to inspire and when asked to accelerate hard the box suffered from a fair bit of lag with lots of noise before warp speed arrived!
Engine size was hard to decipher due to lack of badges on the car and under the bonnet but the overseas press have pegged the CVT transmission with a 2.0 litre 110kw petrol engine. The turbo diesel 1.8 litre also produces 110kw but has 300 Nm of torque as opposed to the 197 Nm from the petrol. This fits with my impression as it is no ball of fire in the acceleration department. Blustery conditions dominated the drive and the ASX suffered from some wind noise around the large exterior mirrors. The steering suffered in these conditions and apart from requiring constant correction it also felt lifeless at the straight ahead.
The twin dial instrument panel is easily read and the addition of the information centre which houses fuel and temperature gauges also houses gear position, warning lights and an instantaneous fuel economy gauge which shoots toward 20L/100kms mark the second you press the pedal towards the carpet. Average consumption on the drive according the gauge was around the 8.0L per 100kms in a highway only run.
The interior trim was standard Mitsubishi anonymous and in reality could have come from any other manufacturer from that geographical neighbourhood. The level of standard equipment included in the base version held no surprises with power windows, central locking and cruise control all fitted. The ICE has an MP3 mode and CD; telephone buttons are in residence on the left hand steering wheel spoke but some reason did not connect to my mobile. The “Sport” specification vehicle, which will be known as Aspire, gains 17” wheels (one inch over the base model 16s); Leather trim, Sunroof and a massive rear subwoofer which encroaches on the already shallow luggage space thanks to the full size temporary spare living down below.
Mitsubishi see it as a direct competitor to the Nissan Dualis and although that is true it will also be considered by buyers of the Suzuki SX4 AWD hatch as well as more established 2wd alternatives including Mitsubishi’s own Lancer Sportback. This is not a car that will worry the Forester or even the RAV 4.
The ASX is coming to a coffee shop car park near you!
Now sadly for Autoloud (and you) it is not an exotic Ferrari or Lamborghini, neither is it a new Falcon or even a new Holden.
I spent several hours behind the wheel of the latest weapon that Mitsubishi are about to add to their four wheel drive arsenal. The all new Mitsubishi ASX (Active Smart Crossover in Mitsubishi speak) is a major step forward in road behaviour from its much unloved and largely forgotten predecessor, the Pajero iO, however to all intents and purposes is now more than an all wheel drive - high riding Lancer.
The five door hatch was available to drive in both petrol and turbo diesel versions; Autoloud’s time was spent in the 4wd petrol version equipped with six speed CVT transmission complete with tip-tronic function. On the road the HRH (High Riding Hatchback) performed best left in “Drive” letting the CVT make its own mind up, changing it via tip-tronic did little to inspire and when asked to accelerate hard the box suffered from a fair bit of lag with lots of noise before warp speed arrived!
Engine size was hard to decipher due to lack of badges on the car and under the bonnet but the overseas press have pegged the CVT transmission with a 2.0 litre 110kw petrol engine. The turbo diesel 1.8 litre also produces 110kw but has 300 Nm of torque as opposed to the 197 Nm from the petrol. This fits with my impression as it is no ball of fire in the acceleration department. Blustery conditions dominated the drive and the ASX suffered from some wind noise around the large exterior mirrors. The steering suffered in these conditions and apart from requiring constant correction it also felt lifeless at the straight ahead.
The twin dial instrument panel is easily read and the addition of the information centre which houses fuel and temperature gauges also houses gear position, warning lights and an instantaneous fuel economy gauge which shoots toward 20L/100kms mark the second you press the pedal towards the carpet. Average consumption on the drive according the gauge was around the 8.0L per 100kms in a highway only run.
The interior trim was standard Mitsubishi anonymous and in reality could have come from any other manufacturer from that geographical neighbourhood. The level of standard equipment included in the base version held no surprises with power windows, central locking and cruise control all fitted. The ICE has an MP3 mode and CD; telephone buttons are in residence on the left hand steering wheel spoke but some reason did not connect to my mobile. The “Sport” specification vehicle, which will be known as Aspire, gains 17” wheels (one inch over the base model 16s); Leather trim, Sunroof and a massive rear subwoofer which encroaches on the already shallow luggage space thanks to the full size temporary spare living down below.
Mitsubishi see it as a direct competitor to the Nissan Dualis and although that is true it will also be considered by buyers of the Suzuki SX4 AWD hatch as well as more established 2wd alternatives including Mitsubishi’s own Lancer Sportback. This is not a car that will worry the Forester or even the RAV 4.
The ASX is coming to a coffee shop car park near you!
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