Mitsubishi Outlander gets aggressive new look
September 18, 2009 by David Twomey
Mitsubishi’s 2010 Model Year Outlander has hit the showrooms with aggressive new styling, a more advanced drivetrain and upgraded features.
Outlander now features Mitsubishi’s trademark “jet fighter” grille, and a host of new comfort, convenience and safety appointments.
Improvements to the Outlander’s engineering include the addition of Hill Start Control to automatic transmission models and Super All Wheel Control (S-WAC) to V6 models.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited’s president and CEO, Robert McEniry, said the 2010 Outlander’s flexibility and versatility is perfectly suited to an active lifestyle.
“The new Mitsubishi Outlander is squarely targeted at couples and young families who are on-the-go people who are focused on wringing every last second of enjoyment out of life.
“You can throw your surfboard or mountain bike in the back, plug your iPod into the USB port, and you – and up to six of your friends – can go places you’ve never been in comfort, style and safety,” Mr McEniry said.
The big story for the 2010 Outlander is the thoroughly “next generation” styling, inspired by the outstanding Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype displayed at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.
The front grille design is taken from the Lancer Evolution’s “jet fighter” look and is complemented by contemporary design elements, such as a reshaped front bumper, side mirrors, fenders and bonnet.
Reshaped headlamps, a new rear bumper and side sills complete the slick sports styling.
Complementing the exterior changes, the Outlander’s interior design has been freshened with the addition of new seat, door and dash trims, grained leather to premium models, double-stitching, chrome accents and a new instrument cluster.
Additional Lancer-Evolution-inspired design cues include available aluminium racing style pedals and a sport-type steering wheel.
Technological upgrades for the new Outlander include the addition of Mitsubishi’s S-AWC to V6 models, improvements to power delivery and fuel economy, the addition of HAC for all CVT and automatic models and USB inputs for audio, that’s if Mitsubishi’s Multi Communication System or MMCS is not fitted.
Merging Mitsubishi’s experience in off-road and rally racing with production car development, the V6 Outlander features the revolutionary S-AWC system.
Beyond simple four-wheel drive, S-AWC is a comprehensive system that improves handling, traction and stability.
Using a first-in-class active front limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled four-wheel drive coupling, S-AWC can prevent wheel slip between front to rear and side-to-side, providing greater traction through all types of terrain and inclement weather, including ice, snow and rain.
The 2010 model year Outlander continues with two tried and trusted engine choices.
First, the 2.4-litre, DOHC, 16-valve, MPI MIVEC engine provides frugal motoring for drivers with a keen eye for economy and generates 125kW of power at 6000rpm and 226Nm of torque at 4100rpm.
The 2.4-litre engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission or an optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sports Mode sequential style shift changes and INVECS Smart Logic.
Drivers with a need for more will choose the powerful V6, 3.0-litre, SOHC, 24-valve, MPI MIVEC engine that generates 169kW of power at 6250rpm and 291Nm of torque at 3750rpm.
The 3.0-litre V6 engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode sequential style shift change and INVECS Smart Logic.
Safety is a focus of the 2010 Outlander, with all models featuring driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, active stability control, ABS with EBD and RISE body protection and three-point ELR seatbelts.
Side and curtain airbags are available on all models – optional on the LS and standard on all other variants.
Print it: 
Looks unreal………like from 10kms away! Talk about odd looking and FUGLY!
Another brainless idiot and the use of the word fugly..always at least one of your kind every post. No reasoning whatsoever…just fugly..cause apparently you think it’s funny. Grow up
I think you need to get a reality check…..fact is my comment clearly is not directed against “anyone” and in context of comment directed against car. So Miss Professor Highbrow, I think you need to get over yourself and dont get personal at all! Dont generalise as it will show up how basic and ill-informed you are!
Did I say that you directed your comment against someone? You directed your comment against the car not a person. If you actually read my comment carefully I didn’t direct my comment against anyone either. It’s up to people’s perceptions to take it personally or ignore it. In your case you are the one who took my comment personally and thus you are the one who is ill informed not me. There is no possible way for me to take your comment personally since you directed your comment at the car.
When you respond directly to one post with the words “Another brainless idiot”, you are directly attacking that person.
Apparently you think that you are “grown up” since you also advise that same poster to “grow up”
So when the poster takes your advice, will he be “grown up” like you, and insult whomever you please? Doubt whether that is wanted…..
And the car is FUGLY.
You cannot attack me for using that word as used in context of car. You rather generalise and listen to emotion and run off on a tangent like a dog with a bone. Fact is as comment is directed against a car and not a person, indicates very clearly that your over zealous foot in mouth comment attacking me is not warranted. Your feeble comments show how baseless your comments are and highlights how inept your are to grasp the situation!
And then you try defending yourself – please give up as the more you gibber the more you prove your background!
If my comment that aroused your so called outlandish reply to me is deemed hard when referring solely to a car – well I think you need a reality check fully and the fact you miss this observation and then rip into me shows your way out of your depth!
Fugly is a very apt adjective. I’m sure you can find something more constructive to comment on than the use of an adjective. This is, after all a car news/blog site. Feel free to talk about the subject matter :)
This is getting old..
I did mention “perception” in my previous post. Since all the things you guys wrote were based on personal perceptions and emotions, it is impossible for me to deem you guys as being mistaken but at the same time it is also a fact that none of us are right. The beauty of the comment box.
THE END
Whats true is;
1. You ripped into me and did not warrant an outlandish attack and maybe a clearer comment from you
2. I was only referring to the car and not anybody
Then the way you try to explain yourself and perceptions makes you look very average! Next time I do suggest you put brain in gear before you type! Your mind game to explain yourself is tooooooooooooooooo funny and do think you need to get a grip! Fair enough your comment of yours (if not way over top too much) if I was referring to context a person!
i like it… must be the asian thing and liking all things evo inspired.
The front end did look good on Lancer but it’s totally wrong on Outlander.
See and I think the complete opposite, haha.
I second Altezza… looks totally wrong on the outlander
+1 for Martin.
If you don’t like this design, how about Audi Q7 and Q5?
They are more sophisticated? Yes, but same design concept aren’t they?
Pity no diesel power, but I like this design.
What are you talking about?
Talking about front design, Of course.
doesn’t look too bad on the dark blue… S-AWC.. Outlander Evolution anyone?
Would be happening in the near future.
But what I really want to…is diesel engine.
The Blue one is the actual RHD production model, while the white was a concept car showed at the NY auto show. I think the main difference is the concept car looks like it’s lowered, as well as some styling differences.
haven’t you posted this before? everyone was like it looks too evo ish, needs its own identity
This will be one of those vehicles where pictures dont do it justice and it will look awesome in real life…
Wheres the diesel?
Mitch, the diesel Outlander is called a Peugeot 4007.
Mitsu is developing a family of new clean diesel engines, it looks like we might have to wait till end of 2010 to get a diesel Outlander
Looks much better than a X Trail, better than a forester, especialy from the rear! Also I think it looks more interesting than a RAV4, looks more dynamic than a CRV as well, it would be my pick of design after the Tiguan and CX7 for a small SUV.
its nose looks like something you roll balls into to win a prize at the show…
It looks like someone punched Darth Vader in the mouth. Hard.
No diesel and only a 5 speed manual, anyone told Mitsubishi it’s almost 2010 ! The world has moved on, try and keep up..
Aggressive styling? Try dopey! Good news for current model Outlander owners.
i think it looks fine.
little 4wd/suv wagons arent my thing (CUV’s?), but it looks as nice/nicer than its competition.
I think the Peugeot 4007 looks better, and that says something…
I think it looks awesome – EVO styling is hot.
That bottom pic of the American white one looks like the new Charger from that angle.
The same goes for HSV E-Series 2
I remember someone said it looks like an Evo that eat too much McDonald burgers.
Specifically McDonald’s burgers??
Above comment meant for Neo Uptopia.
Looks better than the old one. It looks great both inside & out. Hope this turns into a sales sucess. I don’t how RAV4 sells. Dealers bribing customers or something, probs. RAV4 derserves to be shot especially inside. Have hope for you Mistubishi :) Go HOLDEN!
The current Outlander is a sharp looking vehicle.
This thing looks as though it rolled out of the skunkworks at Subaru – kind of a reject design for the Tribeca, though uglier. A shocker.
As they said on Top Gear Australia, what were they thinking?
I agree – the front looks like Kevin Rudd’s mouth during Question Time …. and who wants a bar of that?
The styling would be OK if most small SUV buyers were 17 year olds with back turned baseball caps, a bad attitude and little education. But they’re not. They’re mostly men my age with their own money and who will choose something less Darth Vaderish.
There will be no diesel as the Challenger is getting (re-)released soon and as far as I know will be diesel only.
Borderline beautiful
Looks great, I don’t know what most of you guys are smoking!
+1
i will give it a pass, there is nothing going for it, seems like an over grown lancer. Just wait for the all new territory cant go wrong there, belive me its not to far away.
Diesel Terry will be a good alternative but I’m sure its really a different class and will cost a lot more. Escape is more akin to the Outlander.
Yep the new 270KW Turbo Territory will make this thing look pretty pathetic.
Very odd comparison……….
Actually Buck is spot on.I’ve seen a sketch of the new generation Territory and it will make the BMW X5 and the Audi look ugly!
The current Outlander in my view looks much better. If I see the car in flesh, I think could like it a little more.
No diesel with automatic. Class leadership prospect is gone. Whichever of CR-V, Rav, Outlander or Forester provides the diesel/auto package could clean up.
You mean like Volkswagen have already done with the Tiguan TDI?
When you have a pre-designed car and then decide to whack a corperate nose on it will always look average becuase the two were not designed together.
Dare I mention the re-nosed Magna before the 380 came in.
The White one is a prototype for the American Market
The Blue one in the Top photo is of the ACTUAL CAR
Much smater and sophisticated styling
Perhaps you can explain such a comment on how colour differences between blue and white mean more sophisticated styling???????????????????????????????? I dont remotely think that there is colours for Australia (blue one) and no white one as for US market.
I think your trying to say the car in darker colour (blue) looks marginal better then lighter colour (white) as opposed to a more sophisticated style!
Bring back B.MISSILE as seems to be lagging when other comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!