News of the week & Mitsubishi Outlander |#eBizMotoring | Thegandra Naidoo

News of the week:

Mercedes launches its range-topping S-Class V12 models.
Two models available – the S65 AMG for the performance orientated enthusiast and the S600 L for the presidents of this world.
Both models feature V12 twin-turbo engines, but tuned differently for buyers with varying tastes.
The masculine S65 develops 463kW and mind-blowing 1000Nm of torque, which is all channelled through the rear wheels. This is one of the most powerful production engines in the world, and it will get you to your destination very quickly and in style.
The S600 L is more sedate, yet still remains a beast with 398kW and 830Nm of torque.
Both models come equipped with all the bells and whistles, from heated seats at the back and front, adjustable seats all-round, to the Magic-Body control, and acres of interior space.
The S-Class is known to be the market leader in the luxury segment of the market, ahead of the 7 Series and A8.
And who cares about the price anyways. Nobody thinks twice when forking out more than R2.2 million for the S600 while the range-topping model will cost you around R2.9 million.
Interestingly, nearly 50 000 S-Class models have been sold worldwide over the last five years, and once again proving that we have some very wealthy folks, with really good taste in cars, out there.

Road test – Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a great blend of practicality, sensibility and thanks to a generous helping of standard features, this seven-seater SUV may just be one of the finest offroad purchases of 2014.

Mitsubishi is an interesting brand and I do like its products. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a massively underrated truck and the Lancer Evolution promises massive performance for not an obscene amount of money. Sadly, the lack of variety in the product line-up means Mitsubishi often falls under the radar.

The Outlander was launched earlier in 2014. Fast forward a few months and I found myself behind the wheel of this generic-looking SUV. It’s not the best of starts as I find the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander very average in the looks department and there’s nothing really striking about its design at all.

Thankfully, the good far outweighs the bad as the capabilities and specification of the vehicle means looks are soon forgotten. Let’s start with the standard specification. The only thing missing is satellite navigation and to be honest, most smartphones are GPS-capable.

All the features!

There’s seven seats all with leather with the driver and passenger chairs featuring heaters, Bluetooth with Handsfree Voice Control, Dual-zone Automatic Air-conditioning, Multi-functional Leather Steering Wheel, Touch Screen Audio Display System, Rockford Fosgate sound system, USB port, auto wipers, auto levelling headlamps, rear view camera, park distance control, automatic tailgate, flipdown DVD player for second row (includes 1x headphone set) as well as top of the range safety features.

It’s very impressive and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car with this much specification under R500 000. Truly remarkable!

Engine

Powering the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a CVT gearbox. Being an offroad vehicle, there are some 4×4 modes too, and there’s no need for any complications as operation between four-wheel drive lock and eco mode is as simple as a single button. Power comes in at 123 kW, with torque being rated at 222 Nm.

It’s not the quickest of vehicles, and it’s not the thriftiest of cars either. You should see 100 kph come up in around 11 seconds and while Mitsubishi claims 8.2l/100 km, I couldn’t get below 10.1l/100 km.

Offroad ability

The real test of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander came during a particularly cold snap of weather had hit the Western Cape. Snow had been reported overnight, and my girlfriend insisted we get up early and drive to Ceres. Driving in snow is something I’d never done before and it was a perfect opportunity to grab some photos and put the Mitsubishi Outlander to the test.

As we reached the Matroosberg area, the car sounded an ice warning as temperatures dropped from 9 to -1 degree and the road was covered in snow. I put the vehicle into 4×4 Auto, which automatically transfers power across both front and rear axles as the wheels started slipping in the mud and slush. It handled a brief detour down a frozen gravel road too and I was impressed with its offroad ability. As you can see by the pictures, it was properly cold, but the vehicle handled it all.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Price in South Africa

R439 900 puts you behind the wheel of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Included in that price is a 3 year/100 000 km manufacturer’s warranty and a 5 Year/90 000 km service plan. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.

BizMotoring

Thegandra Naidoo in conversation with eBizRadio’s Nick Snow

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