Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) officially unveiled the all-new Montero Sport last night. After seven years, this best-selling mid-size Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) finally got a full redesign and now boasts of even better performance, comfort and safety features. The all-new Montero Sport first debuted in Thailand last August 2015 and was very well accepted by the Thai market. The Philippines will be the fourth country to release the all-new Montero Sport and it will be available in four variants namely the:
GT 4 Wheel Drive, 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
GLS 4WD 6-Speed Manual Transmission
GLS 2 Wheel Drive Premium 8- Speed AT
and the base model GLS 2WD 8-Speed AT
The all-new Montero Sport is produced at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand. It will be introduced in more than ninety countries from around the globe including Asia, ASEAN, Oceania, East Europe, Middle East Africa and Latin America regions among others.
At the heart of the all-new Montero Sport is the world’s first clean diesel engine equipped with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) technology. The new 2.4 liter 4N15 diesel is now Euro 4 compliant and is now cleaner, more powerful and more efficient. Compared to traditional diesel engines, the 4N15 engine boasts of a low compression ratio, thus reducing fuel consumption, smoke and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as maximizing the output of the Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT). As a result, the power output of the all-new Clean Diesel engine with MIVEC is raised to 181 Ps/3500 RPM and 430 Nm/2,500 rpm. Differentiating it from its predecessor, the 4N15 engine uses an aluminum cylinder block, making it significantly lighter.
Also for the first time in its class, the automatic variants are equipped with an 8-Speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode which is designed for quick sprints and relaxed highway cruising while the GLS 4WD is also equipped with a new 6-Speed Manual transmission. These new transmissions bring out more pleasurable drive and better performance on every journey.
The all-new Montero Sport uses an improved Super-Select II 4WD system which features a dial type selector. This is complemented by the new off-road Mode (first on a Mitsubishi model), which gives an excellent all-terrain performance and stability.
The exterior design of the all-new Montero Sport truly evokes sophistication and power adopting MMC’s new Dynamic Shield front fascia design concept. This stylish concept utilizes sporty, bold and dynamic elements that characterizes the all-new Montero Sport from conventional SUVs.
All variants except for the base GLS model is equipped with LED-Type with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The LED headlights shine brighter providing better visibility while the tube-type LED rear combination lamps make your presence known to vehicles behind you. The top of the line GT variant is equipped with sunroof for a more exciting dimension. Passengers will surely enjoy view from all directions. All variants are equipped with 265/60 R18 tires. For a more aggressive stance the GT variant has two tone 18” x7.5JJ Alloy wheels while the rest has monotone alloy wheels.
The all-new Montero Sport is available in seven body colors which will perfectly match your personality and preference. Available colors are Sedona Red, Mystic Blue, Virgil Gray, Savanna White, Pyrenese Black, Sterling Silver Metallic and Deep Bronze Metallic.
Luxurious and comfortable best describe the all-new Montero Sport’s interior. Inside it is a luxurious black leather seat for the GT 4WD, GLS 4WD and GLS 2WD Premium while the GLS 2WD variant gets a Black fabric seat. Seats are now more comfortable thanks to the multi-layer cushion. More rounded shoulder supports position of your upper torso comfortably as well as giving the seats a more elegant appeal.
The upgraded sound insulation provide a significant reduction in interior noise and this together with further upgraded comfortable seats and climate control system has achieved an interior space offering a higher level of comfort.
Inside the all-new Montero Sport is a neat black monotone dashboard complemented with silver accents and woodgrain accents reflecting this SUV’s sportiness and at the same time maintaining its sophisticated stance. The dashboard is designed ergonomically with all the function laid out for the driver and passengers’ convenience and comfort. The all-new Montero Sport’s Multimedia Entertainment System provides an assortment of features enhancing every ride at this SUV. It is equipped with Capacitive Discharge Touchscreen monitor, DVD and MP3 player, Tuner, Auxiliary-in and USB ports, iPod-ready capability, Bluetooth Connectivity and a smart phone mirror link feature. It is also equipped with a dealer option user friendly GPS navigation system to allow the driver to easily navigate his way especially on unfamiliar roads.
Safety will never be compromised as the all-new Montero Sport is fitted with an array of active and passive safety features. The all new Montero was just recently given 5-star rating for the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and also the Latin NCAP. Mitsubishi Motors’ proprietary Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (R.I.S.E.) Body ensures the safety of all passengers. The body structure’s crumple zones effectively absorbs and dispense crash energy from all directions, completely protecting the interior cabin.
Driver and passengers are fully protected in the event of a collision with the 7 airbags system (GLS 4WD MT and GT 4WD AT variants which includes the front dual airbags, side, curtain, double knee airbags.
The all-new Montero Sport now features the Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system and Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system for the top of the line GT variant. The FCM detects risk for collision and the system provides both audible and visual warning to alert the threat to the driver. The brakes are pre-filled, boosting braking pressure should the driver respond to the warning and apply the brakes. If the risk escalates because the deceleration by the driver is not sufficient to prevent the collision, the FCM system applies high brake pressure (FCM Automatic Brake) to try to avoid the accident or reduce potential damage.
The all-new Montero Sport is the first Mitsubishi model to get a BSW safety feature. An ultrasonic sensor attached to the bumper detects on-coming vehicles that are diagonally behind the area and similar to the FCM the driver is alerted thru visual warning seen on the side mirror.
The GT, GLS 4WD MT and GLS Premium variants feature the Hill Start Assist (HSA) while the GT variant is also equipped with Hill Descent Control (HDC). The HSA prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards and makes hill starts easier by holding the brake as the driver moves his foot to the accelerator. This system also functions when reversing up a steep road. When going downhill, the HDC is there to control the speed of the vehicle without losing traction. The system operates over a range of 2 km/h to 20 km/h and vehicle speed can be adjusted using the brakes and accelerator.
The suggested introductory retail prices are as follow:
GT 4WD 8 Speed AT Php 1,998,000
GLS 4WD 6 Speed MT Php 1,785,000
GLS 2WD Premium 8 Speed AT Php 1,685,000
GLS 2WD 8 Speed AT Php 1,500,000
Visit your nearest Mitsubishi Motors outlet to know more about the all-new Montero Sport or check out www.newmonterosport.ph to get vehicle information and updates.
Photos by Neil Pagulayan and MMPC