2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Technical highlights 3.5-Liter V6 engine (6G74)

Both the Montero Sport LS and XLS are powered by a 3.5-liter, SOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine that produces 197 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 223 pound-feet of torque at 3500 rpm. This rugged V6 provides ample torque, responsiveness and pulling power under all conditions.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine block and reciprocating assembly are strengthened by a reinforced web girdle that supports the main caps and crankshaft while helping to reduce engine vibration. A structurally supportive aluminum oil pan insulates against engine noise, strengthens the lower portion of the cylinder block and provides a stable foundation for attaching the transmission.

Long port intake runners facilitate the V6 engine's low-speed torque and responsiveness. The intake runners allow incoming air to build up speed and rush into the cylinders during the intake stroke. A thermostatically-controlled viscous-coupling cooling fan spins at low rpm, and disengages at higher rpm to reduce drag on the engine and help the engine to run quieter. Additionally, the V6 comes equipped with a dual-mass crankshaft pulley damper that helps quiet and smooth the engine. To aid in reliability and consumer confidence a self-diagnosing alternator alerts the driver to a malfunction long before vehicle performance is affected.

TRANSMISSION AND DRIVETRAIN

• Four-Speed Automatic Transmission

The Montero Sport comes standard with a four-speed automatic transmission that features the Adaptive Shift Control system. The transmission is designed to rely on "learned control" to tailor shifts to the driver's style. For a relaxed driving style, the transmission will shift at lower engine speeds for smooth and quiet operation with improved fuel economy. During more spirited driving, the transmission will shift at higher engine speeds, improving responsiveness and acceleration. Adaptive Shift Control is particularly helpful when hauling large loads or off-roading.

The automatic transmission also keeps in constant communication with the engine so that power output is momentarily reduced during shifts. This quick, momentary reduction in power provides a much smoother gear change under normal driving conditions, while reducing shift shock during hard acceleration.

Additionally, the transmission will downshift for engine braking if the computer senses that the driver brakes frequently while descending a hill. The transmission also will hold a lower gear while climbing hills for more power and to prevent constant upshifting and downshifting. In addition, the transmission has a seven-position lever that eliminates a separate overdrive switch, allowing the driver to select the gear of choice in a single action.

• ALL4-Wheel Drive(TM) (A4WD)

All Montero Sport 4WD models utilize a full-time ALL4-Wheel Drive(TM) (A4WD) system that automatically provides the appropriate traction for most on-road and light off-road situations. Drivers do not need to activate the A4WD system since it automatically engages. A viscous coupling in the A4WD system's two-speed transfer case automatically apportions drive torque between the front and rear axles according to traction needs. In the A4WD mode, parking and around-town maneuverability in tight spaces is easier because binding and friction in the system is reduced.

For more extreme off-road conditions, the system retains the choice of part-time four-wheel drive (4WD), with locked center differential, in both high and low range. Part-time 4WD uses a locked center differential to ensure that power is distributed equally between front and rear axles, and will not shift front-to-rear under varying conditions.

For drivers seeking the added space and amenities of an S.U.V., but without the desire to go off road, Montero Sport is also available as a 2WD-only model.

• Limited-Slip Differential

To help enhance the traction on rear-wheel drive models, Mitsubishi offers a limited-slip differential on both 2WD and 4WD models. If one rear wheel momentarily loses traction, drive torque will immediately be applied to the opposite rear wheel with the traction. The limited-slip differential is available as part of the Touring Package for the XLS trim level.

SUSPENSION

The independent front suspension has unequal-length double A-arms and long torsion bars that reach well under the passenger compartment. By providing extra-long independent suspension travel, the tires are free to individually climb over rocks and ruts without compromising control or stability. Front and rear stabilizer bars help reduce body lean when the vehicle is cornering.

In the rear, Montero Sport incorporates a three-link coil-spring suspension that ensures a smooth ride. Isolating the suspension from the frame, and the frame from the body, are special bushings and mounting brackets that allow the tires to react to rough pavement without transmitting road shock and noise to the cabin. The bushings are engineered to provide soft vertical and rearward compliance for an easy ride, while also offering firm lateral resistance for stability and directional control. The long wheelbase, as well as carefully tuned shock absorbers and spring rates, also help reduce the choppy ride that afflicts many other sport utility vehicles.

STEERING

Steering for all models is provided by a power-assisted recirculating ball system that is specially designed to cope with the rigors of off-highway driving, rough roads and high-profile, deep-tread tires.

BRAKES, WHEELS & TIRES

All Montero Sports feature front ventilated discs and rear drum brakes. Montero Sport A4WD models feature a four-sensor, three-channel Multi-Mode(TM) ABS system that is not available on 2WD models. The braking system is combined with 255/70R16 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Although the Montero Sport is built on a separate ladder frame, the body is assembled with the same type of techniques and attention generally reserved for a unibody. For example, the side structure is built with a single-piece stamping, eliminating unnecessary gaps and welds and improving door sealing, weather protection and noise, vibration, and harshness.

One-piece stamping is also used for the vehicle's front structure, providing a more solid and precise foundation for the hood, bumper and headlamp assemblies. The one-piece stampings ensure exceptionally tight and even body panels.

Beneath the floor are lateral braces placed under the passenger compartment and crossmembers under the rear seat, with additional supports under the cargo compartment. These reinforcements provide added measures of strength and rigidity to the body beyond the massive foundation of the ladder frame. The one-piece stamping techniques combined with the bracing in the cabin's floor to provide an extremely solid body structure.

To achieve the Montero Sport's low interior noise and vibration levels, Mitsubishi Motors' engineers employed a wide range of insulating and noise reducing techniques. The entire floor, front wheel housings and inner firewall are covered with a heat-treated noise-reducing sheet insulation, with the rear wheel housings and upper dashboard mounting surface covered with their own unique vibration and sound insulating material.

The dashboard is attached to the vehicle with large damping pads that keep it from chafing against the body structure. Even the floor carpeting and cargo compartment are specially lined and insulated to reduce road noise. Under the hood, the engine inhales through a large capacity air cleaner that is attached to the vehicle with double-layer, anti-vibration damping material. Combined with the large capacity muffler, the engine is luxury-car quiet.

SAFETY

The Montero Sport features numerous structural elements designed to help deflect the force of an offset crash away from the vehicle's occupants. For example, side-guard door beams in both front and rear doors help minimize intrusions of side collisions. Front and rear crumple zones and a reinforced safety cage structure work to help protect occupants by absorbing and deflecting impact energy.

In the event of a collision, the Montero Sport is equipped with a driver's and front passenger's air bag inflatable Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). In addition, the driver's seatbelt pretensioners are designed to tighten the seatbelt, allowing the seatbelt to provide effective restraint much quicker.

The pretensioners work in conjunction with the seatbelt force limiters, which gradually help ease pressure on the shoulder belt during an impact situation once a pre-determined load is reached. The force limiters essentially decelerate, rather than stop the driver cold in a frontal impact.

All Montero Sport models come standard with rear Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH system). The system features upper and lower anchorages to secure a specially designed child safety seat to the rear seats. When utilized as directed, the LATCH system is designed to hold the child safety seat tightly and help reduce forward movement of a child's head. The system also helps reduce the chance of installation error when compared to standard child seats that utilize only seat belts for installation.

WARRANTY

All Montero Sports are backed by a comprehensive New Vehicle Limited warranty from Mitsubishi Motors that covers the vehicle from bumper-to-bumper for three years or 36,000 miles. The powertrain is covered by a five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty, while body panels have a seven-year or 100,000-mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty.

The warranty service also includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance with free towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer for warranty-related repairs for three years or 36,000 miles. Mitsubishi will also aid with making hotel and rental car arrangements and contacting family members.

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