2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor - Interior Design concept

The 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor's interior offers S.U.V. drivers a sporty, stylish environment that involves geomechanical design cues to create a unique passenger cabin. The Mitsubishi brand's character offers an exciting alternative to the more subdued interior design of segment competitors. The Endeavor's interior features wide, comfortable seating for five adults, folding rear seats and a large cargo space. The interior surfaces are covered with various textures of high-grade, modern materials to help create an appealing, upscale, yet very hip and sporty mood for the passenger environment.

Designed as a bold, yet very refined space, the appeal of Endeavor's interior adds excitement and enjoyment to every drive; yet still maintains an elevated capacity for function and practicality thanks to its intelligent design. An attention to detail, such as addressing needs for cargo utility, or the use of softer padded materials wherever elbows contact the interior, are examples of the thought and consideration that went into an Endeavor. This interior design is dominated by two driving goals; high quality appeal and a high level of function.

Endeavor Seating

The Endeavor's seats are designed to accommodate five adults in comfort for the duration of extended drives while helping to reduce fatigue. Upon first impression, one notices the increased width and heavily cushioned depth of the Endeavor's seats. The front seat's steel, skeletal frame structure is enhanced with a resilient spring cushion structure in seat back and seat bottom. The driver's seat also includes a large, adjustable supportive lumbar support. The seat's head restraint is constructed using an injection molded material that retains its shape better, and offers improved support and durability. In addition, dense foam material used throughout the seat's construction improves support and durability. The seats fitted to the Endeavor LS are covered with a durable new fabric while the XLS trim level's vehicles are equipped seats covered with a premium fabric. An optional leather seat-covering package for XLS also includes leather trim for the steering wheel and shift knob. Premium, textured leather is the only seat covering available on the Endeavor Limited model, which is also the only trim level that offers a unique saddle-colored leather tone.

The Endeavor's front seatbacks feature a net pocket that is ideal for the storage of magazines, or other small goods. Multi-way power adjustable front seats are standard equipment on the XLS with side-impact airbags available as an option. The Endeavor Limited model includes the power adjustable seat and front passenger side-impact airbags as standard equipment. A Cold Zone package which adds heated front seats and heated side-mirrors is available on XLS models and is listed as standard equipment on Limited models.

The Endeavor's rear seats are designed to provide a wide, supportive and aesthetically appealing rear bench which provides comfort for three adults for the duration of the drive. The rear seat's steel frame is constructed using an improved, more resilient supportive spring structure in its base that will help the seat maintain its shape. Removable head rests provide additional support for occupants during long journeys, and are positioned in such away to help lessen neck injury in the event of a collision. The rear seat includes an easy to use one touch 60/40 flat, fold down feature that frees up cargo space to accommodate larger items. A folding center armrest also helps provide support for larger elbows and includes a pair of cupholders. The lower cushion of the rear seats also includes the anchor points for the child restraint system.

All Endeavor's seating positions, including the rear center position rely on three-points seat belts for passenger safety. The front seats belt systems also include pretensioners and force limiters to help minimize injury in the event of a collision.

The dramatic styling of Endeavor's instrument panel makes a strong visual statement about the exciting character of this S.U.V. Sculpted from futuristic forms, and covered with metallic textures, the dash panel creates visual appeal while maintaining a high level of function and purpose. In addition to offering the conveniences and features sought by S.U.V buyers, the Endeavor dash panel, with its use of texture, resounds of the build quality buyers more commonly associate with in the luxury S.U.V. segment.

The design of the striking metallic-finish center column that cascades down the center of the dash panel appeals to the growing sophistication and the hip character Mitsubishi buyers will find desirable in an S.U.V. Interior treatments and materials that once might have been reserved for use in high end passenger sedans have found their way into Endeavor, and help create an interior that is equal parts, elegant, aggressive, and chic.

Convenience was a high priority in the design of the Endeavor dash panel. The gauge clusters are easy-to-read, sporty, and have a round design that is situated to eliminate glare, while large, well-lit, and easy to control switches and knobs have vital vehicle functions at easy arm's reach. The dash panel's reduced height also helps improve the driver's sight lines, and overall visibility to help improve the driver's ability to navigate with the utmost confidence. Storage was also a consideration in the instrument panel's design as a large, open-face bin has been located at the bottom of the center instrument column that offers for a convenient place to store sunglasses or expand the audio system's capabilities with aftermarket components.

Center Console

The Endeavor's center console is an evolutionary design that incorporates many unique features in one large unit that offers more storage solutions than many of the center console units found in competitive vehicles. The Endeavor's center console offers passengers and drivers incredible flexibility and comfort with an ideally positioned, cushioned armrest that is wide enough to provide complete elbow support. The functionality of this center console is enhanced with multiple 12-volt outlets that can be used to charge cell phones or power small T.V.'s. The material used for the construction of the center console is the same premium, resilient textured materials that is found on the dash panel.

Gauge Cluster

The Endeavor's instrument cluster is a composite unit of round, very legible gauges that are merged together into one broad, yet sporty display. The appealing gauge layout is not entirely dissimilar to the instrument cluster designs found in sports cars such as the Porsche Boxster. At night, the illumination of this attractive gauge package is handled by a cluster of blue LED bulbs that help lend the interior a chic attitude while improving nighttime visibility. The large, center speedometer dial has a diameter of 110 mm for easier viewing and has a three-dimensional flair with the dial raised 7 mm above the other two round gauges. The gauge details include rounded numerals that make the instruments easier to read. The round metal bezels also are integrated into the instrument panel to eliminate possible glare or reflection. Surrounding the round gauges are various warning lamps that rely on LED bulbs for illumination that extend the life of the lamp source, and allow the warning lamps to be grouped more compactly.

Door Panels

The Endeavor's door panels are crafted to complement the hip, modern, high-quality appearance of the rest of the interior finishes. The door panels also use premium metallic finished and textured materials on trim components of the door panel that help bolster the overall upscale appearance of the interior. In addition, the Endeavor's door panels exhibit several sensible design elements that aid their functionality such as the ample storage space located in the front door pockets, and the padded, supportive surfaces that pamper occupants.

Cargo Area

The attractive, yet intelligent design of the Endeavor's cargo bay offers consumers a broad, flat area that has maximized to accommodate bulkier cargo. Thanks to the low-profile, rear suspension design and the flat folding rear seats, the cargo area is free of protruding structures and wide enough to accommodate a 4' wide wood panel, a 32" T.V., or a pair of mountain bikes. Durable scratch-resistant materials are used to cover the interior of the rear cargo bay, and are resistant to the damage that could occur during loading and unloading of goods.

Overhead System

In an effort to maximize the space and utility with Endeavor's cabin area, the vehicle's designers created very functional overhead convenience system that brings additional flexibility and capability to this S.U.V's interior design.

Center Display

The Endeavor's XLS and Limited are equipped with a dot matrix LCD center display that rests atop the center console on models so equipped. This attractive feature displays the time, ambient temperature, directional compass, air conditioning status, and it is used as the interface to customize the ETACS functions (vehicle body functions computer). In addition, the 4.9- inch LCD screen also the audio system settings such as volume, bass, and CD function are clearly displayed. The highly visible, vibrant LCD color display provides an excellent medium for users to interface with vehicle functions. This menu-driven system with intuitive controls is an ideal centerpiece for Endeavor's modern dash panel, and with its ice-blue base color of its graphic, integrates nicely with the dash features when they are lit. The color center display is standard equipment on Endeavor XLS and Limited models.

Base LS vehicles are equipped with a grey/black segmented matrix LCD display that shows a digital clock and digital audio system operation display, but does not offer color graphics or ETACS programmable options for customizing of vehicle functions.

Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS)

All Endeavor models are equipped with an Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS), Mitsubishi's comprehensive vehicle body systems control computer. This adaptable system improves communication between Endeavor's various computer sub-systems. Working with the Smart Wiring System (SWS) which is Mitsubishi Motors' own body control communication system and the Control Area Network (CAN) system, the automotive standard for high speed automotive computer communications systems, ETACS takes advantage of a wide variety of functions and makes them user friendly. In addition, users can customize body functions via the color center display on vehicles so-equipped (XLS and Limited). However,

ETACS is already programmed to execute many basic functions such as regulating the timing of interior lights, and setting for the interior buzzer.

EXAMPLES OF ETACS BASIC FUNCTIONS

Using a menu-driven system that appears on the color interior display screen, ETACS allows users to customize many of the vehicles features can be customized to user preference. For instance, the operator can regulate the occurrence and timing of the automatic headlight cut-out feature or deactivate the horn sound that occurs upon locking the door with a keyless entry system.

Climate Controls

The 2004 Endeavor is equipped with a very efficient climate control system that integrates the S.U.V.'s heating and cooling controls into a single unit. A flow rate control valve helps the system realize improvements in system airflow, and achieve a quicker temperature change. The flow rate control valve prevents cooled air from being reheated when the A/C is running at maximum capacity, and reduces variation in airflow volumes as well. In addition, integrating the heating/cooling unit and blower into a single component have increased system reliability and have helped reduce assembly inconsistencies. Climate control capacity is further enhanced on Endeavor Limited models with an additional blower fan and rear console controls that allow rear passengers to regulate backseat climate. The efficiency of the new HVAC unit results in an increase in defroster air flow and improved effectiveness for the defrosting system to more swiftly improve windshield visibility and safety.

Depending on the Endeavor model, two different A/C panels are available to control either an automatic or manual HVAC system. Both climate control panels feature attractive, large metallic knobs with a knurled finish. Automatic HVAC systems are equipped on Endeavor Limited and are coupled with the large, color, center display to inform occupants of functions, mode and temperature. The A/C indicators for both the automatic and manual system use green lighting indicators and large mode and temperature markers that make either system intuitive to operate. Manual A/C systems are equipped on the Endeavor LS and XLS models where operators select temperature and fan speed.

The Endeavor's air conditioning system uses a highly efficient scroll compressor that, in conjunction with a large condenser, and high flow outlet vents greatly improves cooling efficiency at idle. The automatic climate control system regulates cabin temperature based on data received from an ambient sensor, an in-car temperature sensor and sunlight measuring photo-sensor. A computer processes this data to control blower speed to match and maintain the temperature set by the user, but the system can be controlled manually to override temperature setting. The manual A/C system includes a MAX A/C setting that adds convenience when the user requires bursts of frigid air to rapidly cool the cabin. A system's leak detecting function automatically shuts the system off and alerts the user with a warning lamp in the event of an A/C coolant leak.

Endeavor Limited is equipped with a rear fan and temperature control located at the rear of the center console. Heater or A/C gusts can be directed at either FACE or BI-level to help improve rear passenger comfort. When the rear booster fan is available to be engaged a light will illuminate the rear panel. The rear climate control system is designed to distribute air that is consistent with the temperature of the air being circulated through the instrument panel outlets.

Audio / Visual

The base Endeavor audio system as equipped on the LS model consists of a 140-watt, AM/FM/CD audio unit with 6 speakers. The radio includes 6 AM and 12 FM preset stations, a single CD player with random and repeat playback functions. The premium audio system, equipped on XLS and Limited models, is a 315-watt, seven-speaker system with an independent amplifier, AM/FM radio with 6-CD in-dash changer.

Immobilizer

Endeavor is equipped with an engine immobilizing system that prohibits the engine from starting if the ignition switch is turned by a key that is not electronically registered to that particular vehicle. The key ring antenna and immobilizer are integrated in to a single, very reliable unit. This is a system that has been proven to prevent thefts and reduce insurance premiums.

Cruise Control System

All Endeavor models are equipped with a cruise control system that provides the vital function of allowing drivers to maintain a velocity without having press the accelerator which reduces fatigue during long trips. For Endeavor, with its throttle by wire control, the mechanism that actuates the throttle butterfly is now an electronic throttle valve actuator, essentially a solenoid controlling throttle valve angle, per the direction received from the throttle computer. Past cruise control system relied on the mechanical control of a vacuum pump to actuate the cruise control's throttle function.

# # #