A few weeks after the launch of its best selling SUV, Mitsubishi organized a ride and drive event for the media for an up close and personal experience with the Montero.
After a successful seven-year run and a controversial 2015 which had the previous model being bashed on social media and literally hanged by public opinion, the ride and drive event held in Cebu dispelled rumors of the alleged Sudden Unintended Acceleration “SUA”. The SUV took it all in stride as we drove for almost 150 kilometers to our destination in Kandaya Resort in Daanbantayan, Cebu, from our jump-off point at the Skydeck of the Azon Residences after a sumptuous breakfast.
On hand to welcome the participating media was Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) First VP for Marketing Froilan Dytianquin. “This is a great opportunity for the media to experience first-hand the overall performance of the all-new Montero in a real-World environment,” he says. The convoy was an awesome sight, as the media participants were divided into groups of three and with nine spanking new units of the Montero snaking their way through downtown Cebu’s mid-morning traffic jams. People were craning their necks for a second look at the futuristic exterior design of the SUV, with some taking pictures with their smart phones.
At the heart of the all-new Montero Sport is Mitsubishi’s Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) technology. According to MMPC engineers, this new 2.4 liter 4N15 diesel is Euro 4 compliant and cleaner, more powerful and fuel 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. The well paved roads and twisty uphill climbs provided us with an accurate feedback on the SUV’s acceleration, power and on-road grip, as we pushed the vehicles to its limits. Unlike the Montero’s competitors, the ride was comfortable due to the soft cushions of the seats, and the redesigned Independent Double Wishbone suspension.
During clear straights and passing maneuvers, we were able to enjoy the torque and sheer power of the turbo-diesel engine which was matted to an intelligent eight-speed automatic transmission with Sports Mode designed for quick sprints and relaxed highway cruising. While I was paired with Anjo Perez of the Manila Times and Ira Panganiban of Wheels Magazine in the top tier Montero Sport GTV, others were behind the wheel of the GLS 4WD which is equipped with a new 6-Speed Manual transmission. These new transmissions bring out a 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 all-new Montero Sport first debuted in Thailand last August 2015 and the Philippines will be the fourth country to release the all-new Montero Sport. It will be available in four variants: 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 which is produced at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, 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.