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The Philippines will be the first country to sell the new 2009
Montero Sport 4x4 after its global debut on August 26 in Moscow,
Russia, as Mitsubishi Motors Phils. Corp. (MMPC) on August 28
announced the vehicle’s arrival in the country. MMPC said the
Montero Sport will then be released soon in Thailand, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam and some countries in Central
America, South America and Europe.
MMPC said the Montero Sport’s arrival will
further reinforce its lineup of SUVs—a segment the carmaker said
is still expected to grow this year in spite of the recent spike in
fuel prices. Two variants of the Montero Sport will be released,
both of which are equipped with four-wheel drive-train; the GLS and
GLS SE.
Mitsubishi said its strong heritage in SUVs plus
the experience it learned from the grueling Dakar rallies were
applied into the new Montero Sport.
Beneath the sheen
The Montero Sport is powered by a 3.2-liter DOHC,
16-valve 4M41 diesel engine that’s equipped with common rail
direct injection and an inter-cooled turbo-charger. Mitsubishi rated
the engine to produce 161 horsepower at 3,500rpm and a robust 343
Newton-meters of torque at only 2,000 rpm.
The carmaker added this engine is 30.4 percent
more powerful and has 17.4 percent more torque than the previous
2.8-liter 4M40 engine, making it not only durable and dependable but
responsive and economical as well. The new Montero Sport also has an
INVECS-II four-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic mode.
INVECS-II is Mitsubishi’s proprietary
transmission technology that intelligently adapts to an
individual’s driving style.
For four-wheel drive fun, MMPC said the Montero
Sport is equipped with the Super Select 4WD system—the same type
found on the current Pajero—which has a synchronized free-wheel
front differential that lets the driver switch from 2WD to
high-range 4WD (or back) with a lever. This is possible even at
speeds of up to 100kph.
MMPC said the high-range 2WD mode is ideal for
economical and quiet driving while the high range 4WD is more suited
for slippery surfaces. When maximum traction is needed—such as
climbing steep slopes with loose surfaces—low-range 4WD is ideal,
MMPC said.
A hybrid limited-slip differential, which
ensures more traction, is standard on the GLS SE model.
The Montero Sport rides on double wishbones with
coil springs in front and a three-link coil suspension with a
trailing arm in the rear. Both ends are fitted with stabilizer bars
to reduce body roll. A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
boasts of a turning radius of only 5.6 meters.
Brakes are 16-inch ventilated discs with ABS and
EBD. The Montero Sport rolls on 265/65 R17 tires that are mounted on
multispoke 17-inch aluminum wheels.
‘Urbanized SUV’
Calling it an “urbanized SUV,” MMPC revealed
the new Montero Sport is longer, wider, taller and has a longer
wheel-base than the model it replaced. The increase in dimensions
translates to a larger interior that’s comfortable, functional and
safe, MMPC said. The vehicle now has a three-row, seven-passenger
seating configuration that can be varied to accommodate passengers
or cargo.
The Montero Sport GLS SE gets a black and light
gray dashboard that’s accented with silver and wood grain trim. A
multi-information LCD meter; a single in-dash JVC brand CD/MP3/WMA
player with six speakers (four speakers for the GLS) and Bluetooth
function; USB connectivity; an automatic climate system with
separate rear controls; electrically adjustable driver’s seat; key
fob illumination; electronic immobilzer and keyless entry with
alarm; and numerous power sockets complete the GLS SE’s
convenience features. The GLS variant differs with its manually
controlled dual air-conditioning and black water resistant fabric
seats.
Uniquely Mitsubishi
Outside the vehicle, the new Montero Sport’s
flared fenders and bulging curves in the rear quarter panel widen
its stance, MMPC said. The vehicle is also fitted with a pair of
special halogen projector headlamps and fog lamps that are mounted
on the bumper. According to the carmaker, the vehicle’s large
doors—combined with tubular step boards—are designed to make
getting in and out of the Montero Sport effortless. It added that
load bearing roof rails are standard while a tailgate with a large
glass area and Euro-inspired tail lamps add to the unique Mitsubishi
look.
Sport safety
MMPC disclosed that extensive research and
development was invested in making sure that the Montero Sport has
superior riding comfort than its competitors, and that like other
new Mitsubishi models, the Montero Sport benefits from
Mitsubishi’s Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) technology.
The RISE frame incorporates front and rear crumple zones with
reinforced beams to absorb collision force and direct it away from
the vehicle’s interior.
Besides the RISE body, the Montero Sport has
dual-stage front SRS airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and three- and
two-point seatbelts.
Introductory prices
MMPC offers the Montero Sport in five colors
(Gemstone Gray Mica, Cool Silver, Sedona Red, Savanna White, and
Pyrenese Black) and backs it up with a three-year or
100,000-kilometer warranty.
MMPC priced the Montero Sport 3.2 GLS SE at
P1.680 million and P1.5 million for the GLS variant. However,
introductory prices are set at P1.598 million for the GLS SE and
P1.430 million for the GLS.
--Motoring Times
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