After the phenomenal release of the Mitsubishi Xpander in Indonesia just last year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. took its turn to unveil its multi-purpose, sport utility vehicle in the country.
The Philippines is the second country to launch the new Mitsubishi XPANDER after its world premiere at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show in Jakarta, Indonesia in August 2017.
The Mitsubishi Xpander which perfectly suits the most versatile lifestyle of every Filipino will be offered in four (4) variants starting off with the GLX Manual Transmission (MT), GLX Plus Automatic Transmission (AT), GLS AT and top of the line GLS Sport AT. This all-new model is produced at Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s new factory in Bekasi Prefecture, Indonesia.
The overall exterior communicates an adventurous and futuristic style. It flaunts Mitsubishi Motors’ Dynamic Shielddesign concept with a luxurious front grille, which will be available in chrome with clear smoke coating for GLS Sport and GLS variants and gloss black for GLX Plus and GLX variants. The new model was given an advanced look as it features a LED position lamps arranged in a crystal-like blocks and a unique headlight design with a lamp layout that improves visibility for both pedestrians and oncoming vehicles. This unique lamp layout also prevents the blinding effects of headlight glare. It also flaunts a distinctive L-shaped LED Tail Lamps with the rear combination lamps extending onto the tailgate which is a first for this class. To give the model a touch of sportiness, the all-new XPANDER is equipped with 15-inch Alloy Wheels for GLX variant and 16-inch Two-Tone Alloy for GLX Plus, GLS and GLS Sport variants.
Convenience
MMC Corporate Vice President for Design, Tsunehiro Kunimotosaid that the XPANDER’s design was a product of putting together customers’ thoughts, needs and desires. The XPANDER offers a dynamic and highly functional interior features.
The 4,475 mm long overall length of the XPANDER blends a stylish and roomy character lines with tough and dynamic SUV looks. A class-leading interior length 2,840mm provides a comfortable space for maximum of seven adults. It also features a layout that lets passengers enter and exit the vehicle with ease. Access to third row seats is also made easier with the tumbling system for folding the second row seats. For an even more comfortable ride, the armrest in second row is a part of seat back which can be utilized as a large armrest to accommodate two passengers’ elbows or center space which can be used to load long items.
The XPANDER provides not only comfortable seating position for passengers, but also excellent visibility and comfort for the driver. With its high 205mm ground clearance which results in a high seating position, the body is optimized for clear visibility with reduced blind spots. The front windshield with ample vertical and horizontal spacing also provides clearer forward visibility. The XPANDER’s front pillars are positioned wider to provide more visibility while the side mirrors ensures a clearer rear view. For luggage capacity, the XPANDER is the only vehicle in its class that has a flat luggage floor without bumps and gaps. Its maximum cargo capacity is 1,630 liters when both the second and third row seats are folded. The seats can be arranged in various combinations to accommodate different type of cargo. For normal luggage space, it has enough space to hold four gallon bottles even when passengers are seating on the third row seats.
The XPANDER is equipped with a *2-DIN 7-inch capacitive touchscreen which has *GPS Navigation System, MP3 player / Tuner with Auxiliary-in, USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and Easy Link feature. The steering wheel is also equipped with Audio Remote Switch and Cruise Control for easier control during driving.
Apart rom outstanding interior roominess and comfort, XPANDER also offers superior convenience to its passengers by providing several storages / pockets for valuables and various small items. 12V power outlets are also readily available for first, second and third row passengers for more convenient trips.
Engine and Performance
The XPANDER is equipped with a 1.5L 4A91 MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control System) DOHC 16-Valve engine which churns out a maximum output of 105PS / 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 141N-m / 4,000rpm. The 4A91 engine enables the XPANDER to have less vibration and less noise for smooth and quiet driving performance. Its engine capacity has good balance between performance and fuel consumption which makes it an ideal vehicle for the Philippine market.
Safety
The XPANDER features Mitsubishi Motors’ proprietary RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body which is reinforced to absorb the impact of a collision. It is also equipped with ABS (Anti-locking Braking System) to help keep the driver in control of the vehicle when braking on slippery surfaces. When the driver brakes hard or activates ABS, the ESS (the Emergency Stop Signal System) activates and automatically flashes the hazard lamps to warn the drivers behind to help prevent rear end collision.
The top of the line GLS Sport variant is also equipped with Hill Start Assist and Active Stability Control. The Hill Start Assist feature automatically maintains the brakes to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when driving on a steep slope. Meanwhile, the Active Stability Control automatically apply brakes and suppress the engine output at the same time in order to stabilize the vehicle during sudden maneuver on slippery surface conditions. Provided with these top-of-class safety features, XPANDER gained a four-star safety rating in the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP).