Mitsubishi Motors today announced the release Down Under of their new mid-sized four-wheel drive wagon, the all-new
Challenger, a vehicle with high levels of on-road comfort and driveability and true low-range four-wheel drive ability.
The all-new Challenger offers exceptional performance and economy courtesy of the new “high-power” 2.5-litre common rail intercooled turbo diesel engine. With either automatic or manual transmissions, five- or seven-seat models and two specification levels, the all-new Challenger offers premium levels of power, versatility, safety and style.
This week’s launch is not the first time Mitsubishi has offered a Challenger model in the Australian market. Between 1998 and 2006 the vehicle built up a solid fan club of customers, achieving sales exceeding 14,000 units across the period. Robert McEniry, president and CEO of MMAL, said he was delighted to welcome the Challenger nameplate back to the Australian line-up.
“Owners of the previous model Challenger prized the vehicle for its real-world four-wheel drive ability, rather than its on-road comfort. When it came to designing the new model, the clear intent was for the design to offer the best of both worlds – and we think we’ve nailed it,” McEniry said. “This vehicle is completely new in every aspect and drives like a dream, both on- and off-road.”
The Challenger slots neatly into Mitsubishi’s renowned four-wheel drive range, competitively positioned between the compact crossover Outlander wagon and the seriously capable off-road wagon, the Pajero.
Style-wise, the all-new Challenger is equally at home cruising city streets or mixing it up in the rough stuff. Based on blending seemingly contradictory elements to achieve a vehicle that is truly versatile and flexible, Challenger utilises a design package that is both comfortable and capable in any urban or rural environment. Concepts such as tough and smart, speed and comfort, and surprise and trust were intermingled to form the basic premise underlying the design principles of the vehicle.
The Challenger features a powerful and fuel efficient hi-power 2.5-litre common rail intercooled turbo diesel engine, with optimised combustion chamber shape and injector specifications, and variable geometry turbocharger. Codenamed the 4D56HP, this is the same engine found in the recently released Triton four-wheel drive SUV, where it received high praise for its flexibility, responsiveness and economical performance.
Utilising the latest in clean diesel technology, the engine produces 131kW of power @ 4,000 rpm and 400Nm of torque @ 2,000 rpm when paired with a manual transmission and 350Nm @ 1,800 rpm for automatic transmission. This powerful, yet refined diesel engine is standard across the range and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission on the LS model only, or INVECS II Smart Logic automatic transmission with Sports Mode as an option on the LS and as standard on XLS. Despite its impressive power output, the Challenger is extremely fuel efficient for a vehicle in its class and returns combined consumption figures of 8.3l/100kms (manual) and 9.81l/100kms (automatic).
The Challenger body is built on a ladder-frame chassis and is reinforced with the extensive use of light, yet extremely high-strength, steel. The vehicle displays comfortable and controlled driving characteristics through the application of coil-spring suspension all round: front suspension is double wishbone type and the rear suspension a three-link design utilising coil springs. Stabiliser bars are employed to control body roll, while four-wheel disc brakes provide optimal stopping power. Towing capacity for the Challenger is a generous 2500kg with ten per cent ball load.
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With a focus on safety, the all-new Challenger features a comprehensive range of all-terrain driver aids, including Mitsubishi’s class-leading off-road package, MATT (Mitsubishi’s All Terrain Technology system) which includes Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), Multi-mode ABS with EBD, and diff lock. In addition, the all-new Challenger features Mitsubishi’s RISE body construction for added occupant safety as well as driver and passenger front and side SRS airbags and curtain SRS airbags – all standard equipment on every variant in the range.
Underpinning the all-new Challenger’s exceptional four-wheel drive ability is the company’s famed Super Select four-wheel drive system which allows the driver to choose between four driving modes:
- 2H two-wheel drive high range is the perfect option for general commuting or highway touring in fine weather and promotes fuel economy.
- 4H full-time four-wheel drive provides added traction in inclement weather, or when the road surface becomes rough.
- 4HLC four-wheel drive high range with locked centre differential delivering power equally to all four wheels will ensure the Challenger easily defeats most four-wheel drive tracks
- 4LLC four-wheel drive low range with locked centre differential is the answer when the going gets really tough.
The first three driving modes can be selected on the fly.
As flexible and versatile as it is stylish and powerful, the new Challenger offers the option of five or seven seats, with the third row of the seven-seater featuring a 50/50 split. This gives the seating arrangements and/or storage area of the Challenger almost endless flexibility and ensures all occupants travel in style and comfort, no matter what the load requirements are.
According to Robert McEniry, pricing and specifications of the all-new Challenger have been carefully calibrated to offer the best possible value with the highest possible feature levels.
“With the option of five or seven seats, the new Challenger will specifically appeal to active families, so we have made sure that all the bells and whistles that mum, dad, and a couple of kids need have been included, and, at an affordable price,” McEniry said.
A look at the specifications list verifies this statement with the entry level five-seat LS Challenger boasting a host of functional styling, comfort and technology features. These include 17 inch alloy wheels (with a full sized alloy spare), side steps, chrome exterior door handles and mirrors, and roof rails. Inside, the LS comes standard with automatic air-conditioning, steering wheel mounted cruise control and audio controls, power windows with driver’s automatic up and down, remote keyless entry and central locking, single CD player with 6 speaker system, leather bound steering wheel, gear shift, park brake and transfer lever, colour centre display and an audio jack for MP3 player connection.
With real four-wheel drive capability the LS Challenger with manual transmission is priced at $44,490, and, like all Challenger variants, comes standard with rear diff lock. Challenger’s five-seat LS variant with automatic transmission is priced at $46,990.
The seven seat variant of the Challenger LS features third row seating with 50/50 split rear seat, manual rear seat air conditioning controls, under-floor storage area and standard automatic transmission and is priced at $48,890.
The luxurious five-seat Challenger XLS adds numerous premium style features both inside and out, with a full chrome grille, leather seat trim, power driver’s seat with slide, dual height and recline movement, colour keyed side protection mouldings, privacy glass, wood-trim console and centre panel, and cargo blind and cargo room net. With additional technological features, the XLS includes Mitsubishi’s Power Sound System with eight speakers for premium quality audio, Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) with satellite navigation, reverse camera and video jack and hands-free Bluetooth connectivity. The XLS also features fog lamps, headlamp washers and reversing sensors as standard.
The Challenger XLS five-seat variant comes standard with automatic transmission and is priced at $56,990.
The Challenger XLS with seven-seat option features third row seating with 50/50 split rear seat, manual rear seat air-conditioning controls and under-floor storage area, with automatic transmission as standard, and is priced at $58,890.
LS Models feature black seat trim, with XLS receiving luxurious leather interior appointments. Dashboard and door trims are an elegant two-tone black/grey with silver accent panels.
Available in a range of attractive colours, including White Solid and optional metallic finishes of Charcoal Metallic, Cool Silver Metallic, Platoon Pearlescent, Terra Rossa Metallic, Champagne Metallic, Deep Blue Pearlescent and Black Pearlescent.
The all-new Challenger is covered by Mitsubishi’s comprehensive five year/130,000 whole vehicle warranty, backed up by its 10 year/160,000 km power-train warranty and a five year/130,000 kilometre roadside assistance package.
