All new 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport makes a bold styling statement in the otherwise mundane compact crossover class
The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport takes the compact crossover to a whole new level in terms of styling, refinement and amenities, and does so at a remarkably affordable price point.
Offered in two trims, a very well-equipped base 2-wheel drive ES version available with either a 5-speed manual or Sportronic® CVT transmission with paddle-shifters, as well as a more luxuriously appointed SE edition that features the same CVT transmission offerings but also includes Super-wide beam High Intensity Discharge (S-HID) headlights, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, premium upholstery, upgraded 6-speaker sound system and the availability of multi-mode All-Wheel Control.
Style and Substance
With styling derived from the award-winning Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, the Outlander Sport carries the Japanese company's signature sporty "DNA" with its shark nosed aesthetic.
But there are more than just good looks to this story as, while this vehicle's distinctive shape and shark-nosed front end inspired by jetfighter air intakes may be appealing to the eye, these attractive lines help the new Outlander Sport to achieve an astonishingly low drag coefficient (Cd), one of the very best in the compact crossover class.
Repeatedly refined through wind tunnel testing and advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, the exterior of the new Outlander Sport was literally modified millimeter by millimeter. Not only have the muffler's shape and layout have been taken into account for improved aerodynamics, but the section between the top of the radiator and the grille opening has been partially sealed off in the engine compartment for reduced drag. Additionally, this all-new crossover makes use of a lower-profile solid-piece integrated roof rail system for reduced drag and decreased wind noise.
This is the sort of attention to detail that one would ordinarily expect from a much more expensive, luxury class vehicle and not in a low-cost segment such as the compact crossover class.
With a Cd of only 0.33, the Outlander Sport is an aerodynamically-optimized, wind-cheating shape that not only helps improve acceleration times but also enhances fuel economy.
But aerodynamics is only one high-tech side of this attractive new compact crossover as it relates to its structure. Engineers have taken great care to make the car's body extremely rigid while simultaneously minimizing weight.
Light Makes Right
Due to its extreme rigidity and lightweight properties, high-tensile steel has been utilized throughout the body. Additionally, the front fenders are composed of a reinforced, high-strength plastic that are not only 6.5 lbs. lighter in weight than standard steel but are quite pliable as well, making them remarkably forgiving when encountering shopping carts and helping owners to save money by avoiding pricey trips to the body shop for cosmetic work.
Other key areas where high-tensile steel has been used include the doors and the tailgate, helping to reduce their mass - and making them easier to open and close - while increasing their strength and rigidity for improved occupant protection in the event of a crash.
With a curb weight of only 3098 lbs., the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport weighs nearly 300 lbs. less than the longer ( 169.1 versus 183.7 inches), 7-passenger Outlander while sharing an identical wheelbase (105.1 inches); more impressively, the Outlander Sport only weighs approximately 175 lbs. more than a Mitsubishi Lancer sedan. Little more than one inch separates the Outlander Sport from the larger 7-passenger Outlander in width (69.7 versus 70.9 inches), while the height difference between the two venerable crossovers is less than 2 inches (64.2 versus 66.1 inches).
The ES trim model comes equipped with a 16-inch steel wheel with an attractive-looking full wheel cover and P215/70R16 all-season radial tires (a package including 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels is also available) while all SE models are fitted with an 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel package shod with a lower-profile P225/55R18 all-season radial tire.
Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) has been reduced from that experienced inside the cabin of the larger, 7-passenger Mitsubishi Outlander, thanks to an optimized sound insulation package. NVH enhancements include a lightweight spray-on sound deadening material on the floor and cowl section of the car, along with a sound-absorbent headliner and new weather stripping for the doors. These new NVH materials contribute to a 2db improvement in noise isolation versus the 7-passenger Outlander.
Cabin: Upscale and Accommodating
One quick, cursory glance inside the all-new Outlander Sport is all it takes to see that Mitsubishi has significantly raised the bar when it comes to interior build quality and design of their latest vehicle.
A higher-grade, soft-touch plastic featuring a pebble grain texture has been used liberally throughout the cabin and in key areas including the door panels and atop the dashboard; reducing the thickness of the door panel trim has led to additional weight savings. The entire instrument panel/dashboard also benefit from reduced gaps and tighter fitment of their assembled pieces.
Another new upscale touch is the addition of stylish silver-painted and chrome accent trim in such places as the door trim, center console, HVAC control knobs, air outlet knobs, transmission tunnel forward of the shift lever, and ringing the shift lever panel as well as the gauges.
Interior improvements even extend to the glove box, which now features a place to store a pen or pencil along with a business card holder.
Mitsubishi engineers have done an excellent job in developing comfortable seating for all five passengers, with the driver and front passenger seats (front head room – 39.4 inches) receiving additional torso bolstering and thigh support – accommodating without being too snug. Persons six feet tall in height can expect plenty of headroom with a few inches to spare between their head and the roof liner (rear head room – 37.9 inches). Back support in all five seating positions is excellent - even on long trips passengers should experience little to no back fatigue. Legroom is more than adequate, even for those in the back seats.
Both ES and SE model's seating surfaces are composed of a high-quality fabric. The upgrade SE version makes use of a higher-grade material that has a three-dimensional square pattern on the seatback material as well as the seat bottom, while the side bolstering (front bucket seats) has an attractive mesh pattern.
An accommodating fold down rear armrest featuring two cup holders is positioned in the seatback of the center space (fifth) seating position and also makes way for the rear pass through for the stowage of extraordinarily long items such as a pair of snow skis (armrest/pass through not available on the ES model).
Three-point seatbelts and adjustable head rests for all five seating positions are standard equipment on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
From the Driver's Seat
Befitting its sporting name, this crossover features a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel along with an athletically-tuned suspension and rigid chassis that allow the Outlander Sport to feel more like a sporty car than a truck or SUV when driving.
Behind the steering wheel are a set of paddle shifters that comes with cars equipped with the CVT transmission. These paddle shifters are composed entirely of magnesium, the main purpose being that a property of this lightweight element is that it is excellent at heat dissipation. Both paddles are column-mounted making them always accessible and intuitive to use.
The instrument panel features two large gauges – an 8000-rpm tachometer (6500-rpm redline) to the left with a 150-mph speedometer on the right – and are highly visible day or night, thanks to their high-contrast illumination. Between the two gauges sits a 3.3-inch color LCD multi-information display that lists water temperature, fuel level, odometer, outside temperature, selected gear, the position of the All-Wheel Control system (2WD, 4WD, LOCK) and the ECO drive lamp that, when illuminated, helps to achieve the most miles per gallon of gasoline. The driver can also set this display screen to relay a variety of handy vehicle parameters including average speed, average miles per gallon, two different trip odometers, approximate mileage left before the vehicle requires service and approximate range in distance left given the current amount of fuel in the gas tank, and average speed in miles per hour.
It is through this display that the driver can also make adjustments to gauge and LCD screen brightness, set it to display the Mitsubishi Motors diamond-star logo and even adjust the sound of the turn signals.
Located just to the right of the steering column on the instrument panel is the one-touch push button engine start/stop system, part of the FAST-keyless passive entry system. The driver will never have to fumble around in their pocket looking for their key again.
Expansive Panoramic Glass Roof
One of the many unique features available on the all-new 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is the expansive panoramic glass roof available on the SE edition.
On the roof, this massive transparent sheet of laminated and UV-protected glass measures approximately 44.5 inches wide where it meets the windshield (38.8 wide towards the rear of the vehicle) and 48.5 inches long, creating a completely unobstructed view to the heavens above that is approximately 33.9 inches wide and 37.6 inches long. An automated, full-length sunshade opens and closes quickly and quietly with just the push of a button.
The panoramic glass roof is further enhanced by amber LED illumination that indirectly light up the length of the sunshade when it is closed at night, and reflect their light amber hue across the glass panel with the sunshade fully retracted in the dark. This "mood lighting" effect is yet another one of the many details that lend this handsome compact crossover the upscale air of a much more expensive luxury vehicle. The intensity of this up-lighting can be brightened or dimmed with the push of a button.
Room...With a View
Though the all-new Outlander Sport is classified as a compact crossover, the car's interior space is anything but small in stature.
With the rear seat folded down, the cargo volume measures an expansive 49.5 cubic feet (48.8 cubic feet in cars equipped with the panoramic sunroof), while the stowage area behind the rear seat contains 21.7 cubic feet of storage (20.1 cubic feet with the subwoofer that comes with the upgrade 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system).
The 60/40 rear seat folds flat to maximize rear storage volume. And speaking of the cargo area, the optional, reversible carpeted cargo floor mat in this area can be flipped 180° to reveal a non-carpeted, plastic-coated side that can be utilized to help minimize precious cargo from sliding about. Loading and unloading contents from the rear area of the vehicle is also made easier by a cargo area floor that is just inches lower than the bottom of the rear hatch opening making it easier to load or remove items. An emergency temporary spare tire and jack is conveniently placed out of sight beneath the rear cargo area floor.
Other rear cargo area conveniences include a utility hook on the left side of the luggage compartment to help secure a grocery or shopping bag, four luggage hooks (two on each side) to help tie down items and a manually-operated cargo compartment lamp to better illuminate the area if needed.
Not only is the Outlander Sport's exterior design appealing, but it also makes for excellent outward visibility in all directions. Rearward visibility on either side of the vehicle's blind spot areas is especially good, thanks to the addition of a small, triangular-shaped rear window on either side of the vehicle at the C-pillar.
Bright Green
Mitsubishi engineers have also endowed the new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with numerous attributes that help lessen its impact on the environment.
The Outlander Sport is the first vehicle in the company's lineup to feature Brake Energy Regeneration System, a newly-developed alternator that improves fuel efficiency by making use of kinetic energy captured during deceleration and by restraining power generation under other running circumstances (engine idling, steady-state cruise, etc.).
Another gas saving system is electric power steering, which eliminates the parasitic drag exhibited by a constantly-running hydraulic pump in conventional power steering systems.
But the driver can also have a direct hand in improving fuel economy: By modulating the throttle pedal and keeping an "ECO" light illuminated in the top right corner of the multi-information display between the speedometer and tachometer, those behind the wheel can play an active part in optimizing the car's efficiency and achieving the Outlander Sport's excellent fuel mileage of an EPA estimated 25/31 miles per gallon city and highway, respectively (24/31 mpg in the 5-speed manually-equipped ES model).
In addition to the aforementioned weight and drag reductions to maximize fuel economy and CO2 emissions, the bumpers, door trim and instrument panel are not only easily recyclable, but are made of recycled plastics themselves. What's more, automotive components that were commonly made containing lead in the past are now made from much less hazardous substances including aluminum (radiator, heater core), iron (balance weights for wheels) and galvanized steel (fuel tank).
The use of reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) plastics throughout the interior and a new super long life radiator coolant are further environmental improvements associated with this Japanese manufacturer's smart new crossover.
Premium Warranty
Mitsubishi Eclipse, Lancer, Galant, Endeavor and Outlander vehicles come with a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty; along with a 5-year/60,000 mile bumper to bumper new vehicle limited warranty. The high-performance Lancer Evolution and Ralliart models are covered by a 5-year, 60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty, along with a 3-year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper new vehicle limited warranty.
All Mitsubishi vehicles have a 7-year /100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty, along with 5-years/unlimited miles Roadside Assistance, which includes free towing to the nearest authorized Mitsubishi retailer.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 430 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
