Mitsubishi Outlander
The all-new 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport possesses a well-engineered platform that not only has a refined road manner that meets or exceeds that found in more expensive crossover vehicles, but is also tuned to provide surprisingly good handling for a vehicle in its class.
Engineers have designed the Outlander Sport's RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) unibody structure so that, in the event of a collision, the chassis will dissipate energy to provide maximum protection to the vehicle's occupants. The RISE body structure helps to lessen the risk of injury of collisions from any direction: front, side or rear. The technology even provides additional protection to the car's fuel system in rear-end collisions.
A key ingredient of the RISE body structure is the extensive use of high-tensile steel -- a material that is not only stronger than ordinary steel, but also lighter. This, coupled by additional bracing than that found in the larger Outlander SUV and an improved suspension, allow the Outlander Sport to not only achieve impressive government crash test ratings but also improved ride compliance and handling, thanks to the stiffer body structure.
While the platform has been shortened in the downsized Outlander Sport, the chassis receives additional bolstering for improved structural rigidity. Changes include new floor sections sheet metal in the rear half of the vehicle, additional bracing at the very front of the vehicle and sturdy new cross members for the mounting of components associated with the new electric power steering system.
Every square inch of the Outlander Sport's sheet metal is completely new; in fact, the only exterior items carried over from the original Outlander SUV are the side mirrors.
Like the exterior, nearly every component found inside the Outlander Sport is all new. This includes the instrument panel and nearly all interior trim as well as the rear seats (the front bucket seats are carryover from the Outlander, but their fabric upholstery is all new).
The aggressive looks of the Outlander Sport are not just a result of the car's stylish design; they are also due to this compact crossover's tidy exterior dimensions.
New engine mounts were engineered for the Outlander Sport that provide reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness from the larger Outlander SUV.
The proven suspension design found on the Outlander SUV has been carried over to the all-new Outlander Sport, but the system underwent further development to provide improved handling, steering stability and ride comfort for the smaller crossover model.
— Mary Ann Van Osdell
Published in September 2011
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