Mitsubishi 4WD aimed at fun-lovers

Press, 15 July 1982, Page 21

Mitsubishi 4WD aimed at fun-lovers

For more than 30 years Mitsubishi has manufactured the famous American Jeep under licence, so it is not surprising that this Japanese firm, which has earned an enviable reputation with its well-engineered cars, should branch out into the four-wheel-drive market on its own account.

It now produces the Pajero, an upmarket four-wheel-driver in petrol and diesel versions, and also a utility which Porirua-based Todd Motors is just introducing to the market as the Mitsubishi L2OO 4WD. but which will be more commonly known as the 2000 Sport 4WD. Sports cars, particularly those with soft tops, appear to be a dying breed. Safety and sociological reasons, as well as costs, are killing them off and in the Western world automobile manufacturers have taken advantage of this sad demise by replac-

ing sports cars with flossiedup utilities. It’s amazing what an eye-catching paint job. go-faster stripes and a cab with all the appointments of a good quality car can do to transform the image of the basic transport of tradespeople. Now, having established the utility as a leisure vehicle, some manufacturers are carrying the project a stage further and producing upmarket versions with four-wheel-drive aimed at those fun-loving people who pursue their pastimes well off the beaten tracks. The Mitsubishi scores well in this market segment because. although it has good ground clearance, unlike most four-wheel-drive vehicles it is not high and ungainly in appearance.

Moreover, its controls are light and precise and demand no more physical effort from the driver than is the case with a good contem-

porary car. The Mitsubishi is powered by the 1995 c.c. four-cylinder, overhead-camshaft engine with its contra-rotating balance shafts that inhibit vibration. It develops 67 kW at 5500 rpm and is exactly the same engine as that used in the 2-litre Mitsubishi Sigma saloon.

This is an engine with a lot of lugging power and it develops its maximum torque at 3000 rpm. This means that it gets on and accomplishes its job without roaring its head off and revving itself to

death. It can be just a mite unnerving traversing a stretch of extremely difficult terrain to the accompaniment of an ungodly cacophony blasting from beneath the bonnet and apparently warning the driver to be prepared for the whole box of tricks to self-destruct at any minute.

Noise is not a concern in the Mitsubishi, although there is gear whine from the transmission, a three-mode system which employs modern technology to take the power to the front wheels. A wide, steel belt, which is much quieter than the traditional gear system and is also snatch-free, connects the gearbox to the transfer box. from where a driveshaft runs to the front differential which is attached directly to

the chassis. As the front suspension is independent, direct attachment creates no problems and this arrangement makes it possible for the Mitsubishi to have a much lower set-up than is customary with four-wheel-drive. Skid plates protect engine, front differential and transfer box. Drive to the rear wheels is by a driveshaft directly from the rear of the main gearbox to the rear differential. The rear axle is suspended on semi-elliptic springs with bias-mounted telescopic shock absorbers, the right unit leaning forward and the left sloping back. This not only controls vertical movement of the axle but also inhibits any tendency of the axle to wind up during acceleration or when the vehicle is being used for towing.

For on-road work the normal four-speed gearbox is used, but this can be changed into the four-wheel-drive mode by simply pushing a shorter lever into the first position. In this state the Mitsubishi is set up to cope with easier off-road work. For heavier work, the vehicle must be stopped and the clutch used to engage the lower set of ratios for tough off-road jobs and where extra engine braking is likely to be needed. Free-wheeling front wheel hubs are standard equipment and they improve on-road fuel economy. Free or fixed wheel is simply engaged by twisting the locking keys on the hubs themselves. Apart from the two floormounted levers, the interior of the cab is appointed, in the manner of a car. There is a bench-type seat, designed to carry three people, but the seat back is divided so occupants can adjust ■ their own sections for rake. The seat is trimmed in a good-looking wool cloth similar in pattern to that favoured by some of the folk who patronise the Grand National meeting at Riccarton racecourse year after year. There is a. comprehensive range , of instruments and controls laid out in exactly the same way as they are in a car. As well as a good heating and ventilation syste, the steering column is tilt adjustable and the steering wheel is of the sporty softrimmed type. There are

rear-vision mirrors mounted on each door and the whole set-up is very civilised, such features as a analogue quartz clock . and cigarette lighter being standard equipment. Behind the seat there is a quite generous storage compartment for more valuable items that one might be reluctant to place on the wellside deck, which will carry a payload of 1000 kg. On the road the Mitsubishi handles exactly like a car. The gearbox is silky smooth and the variable-ratio steering light for any vehicle and exceptionally so for a vehicle of this type. Taken by and large, this is a very impressive performer and one that should become popular with a lot of people whose work or leisure pursuits take them away from the well-trodden tracks.

However, prolonged use of the Mitsubishi on anything but ultra-smooth-surfaced motorways would probably lead to the waiting room of a kidney specialist eventually. The riding qualities are uncompromisingly harsh.

Off the road and in the rough going the Mitsubishi will do anything reasonable drivers ask of it.

The wellside version of this Mitsubishi product comes on the market at $15,162, while there is a cab and chassis version at $13,967.