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Mitsubishi Motors, the Company that pioneered the vehicle with three rows of
seats 21 years ago, has launched its all-new Grandis multi-purpose vehicle that
sets the standard for style, performance, and flexibility.
Grandis was first shown at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show as the Space Liner
concept car, and was first introduced as a production model in Japan last year.
With a full-size body, Grandis has more power than any other four-cylinder
competitor, the most flexible interior, excellent fuel economy, the tightest
turning circle of a car of its size, and more style than any other vehicle in
its class. And, safety has also come in for considerable attention, as would be
expected in such an outstanding family vehicle.
Featuring the new Mitsubishi global identity that is boldly defined by the
three-diamond symbol located centrally in the divided grille, Grandis has a
flowing, stylish appearance that hitherto has not been seen in such a vehicle.
The styling flows seamlessly from front to rear, as well as along the roof and
side windows, and along the waist-high character line.
The sculpted reflectors visible inside the clear-cut lenses of the four-bulb
halogen headlamp units lend a brilliant crystal touch to the classy look of the
front end. Large reflector type front fog lamps add a sporty touch to the
purposeful front bumper. Roof rails, dual sunroof and privacy glass that are all
part of the optional Luxury Pack also add dash to the exterior styling.
Extensive use has been made of LED lighting – for example, in the turn
indicators that are embedded in the exterior door mirrors, in the combination
rear lamps, and in the high-mount auxiliary stop lamp.
Body-coloured door mirrors, bar-type door handles, side sill garnish, licence
plate garnish and tailgate deflector all contribute to the integrated look of
the car, which is described as sporty and elegant.
However, it is inside its capacious cabin that Grandis shines.
The dash is designed to a waveform theme, and generates a visual sense of
roominess and comfort. The in-dash shift gate decorative panel features a
metallic finish, while the four-spoke steering wheel, colour-keyed inner door
handles and power switch panels, velour seating, cloth door trim inserts, and
fully trimmed cargo area exude an air of sophistication.
Standard features include power steering with tilt steering column, power
windows, electric door mirrors (including fold control), remote central locking
that is incorporated in the ignition key fob (a first for the class), cruise
control, remote fuel filler, electric tailgate opener, variable intermittent
windshield wipers and washer (with speed sensing function), rear intermittent
wiper and washer, rear window demister, day / night rear-view mirror,
three-stage high contrast meters (including tachometer), rheostat, lighting
monitor (buzzer), digital quartz clock, ignition key cylinder illumination with
delay timer, front and rear auto air conditioning (with 2nd and 3rd row seat
heater ducts), front cabin lamp with front map lamps, personal lamp for 2nd and
3rd row seats, front and rear door courtesy lamps, cargo area lamp, security
coded radio / single CD audio system with four speakers, bee-sting roof antenna,
twin trip meter, and A/T position indicator.
The optional Luxury Pack features a woodgrain gearshift lever, woodgrain and
leather-wrapped steering wheel, metallic-look power window switch panels and
inner door handles, illuminated vanity mirrors and six speakers for the audio
system.
An air filter that removes pollen and dust from the air, and also has a
deodorising feature, is standard across the range.
There isn't any doubt that the Grandis interior raises the bar for utility
and flexibility. There is a seating pattern to cater for every occasion and
consumer behaviour – from local shopping trips, to journeys to the beach, or
camping, Grandis can handle being fully loaded with people and leisure gear.
The flexible seating gives the user the ability to choose from a number of
different configurations that combine the tip-and-tilt feature of the second
row, and the individually stow-away feature of the third row seats.
The two front row seats have adjustable armrests and height and tilt
adjustable headrests, while the driver's seat is height adjustable.
The second row seat is a 60/40 split bench seat that slides, tips-and-tilts
and folds flat. The three headrests are height adjustable. This seat can take
three full-sized people, and has a reclining function and centre armrest. The
seat squab can be tilted for a more comfortable ride.
The third row seat is a 50/50 split that has height adjustable headrests, and
a reclining function. The third row seats can be individually stowed under the
floor to allow a much larger cargo area. This means it is possible to use one
seat normally, and stow the other under the floor to accommodate a more bulky
piece of cargo – making it the ultimate in accommodation and storage
flexibility. These seats can also be flipped to a rear-facing position when the
car is parked.
However, it is not only the seat configurations where Grandis shines; it also
has a multitude of handy storage compartments and other utility features that
makes travelling a pleasure.
The instrument panel has a lidded upper box, an illuminated glove box with
upper and lower compartments, while the front door pockets have bottle holders
and the floor console has cup holders. There is a sunglass pocket in the roof
area, near the rear-view mirror (although this is not available with the dual
sunroof option).
The driver and passenger seats have seat back pockets as well as seat back
trays that will be extremely useful for a range of reasons, while the second row
passengers have cupholders in the door armrests, and bottle pockets in the rear
doors for easy use.
The third row passengers aren't neglected either, with cupholders being
provided in the side armrests above the wheel arches (two on the driver's side
and one on the passenger side), side console boxes (under the passenger side
armrests), as well as a storage box under the seats.
The cargo area has a convenience net to restrain items, as well as the
storage compartment for stowing the 3rd row seat.
Featuring a 2.4 litre four-cylinder SOHC engine with MIVEC (Mitsubishi
Innovative Value lift and timing Electronic Control) Grandis is the first
vehicle to bring this innovative, powerful and fuel efficient engine to
Australia.
The MIVEC engine employs a multi-mode variable valve-timing mechanism that
incorporates a modulated displacement function. The MIVEC system regulates
engine operation in three modes – low speed, high speed and MD (Modulated
Displacement) – to match different driving situations. MIVEC engines produce
higher output than a naturally-aspirated production engine and realises
significant increases in torque across the full engine rev range, and excellent
fuel economy.
The engine develops 121kW at 6000 rpm and 217Nm of torque at 4000 rpm, and is
Euro Step 2 emission compliant.
This power output makes Grandis best in class, compared with Nimbus
delivering 96kW, Odyssey 110kW, Avensis 118kW and Tarago 115kW.
The new MIVEC engine helps the new Grandis deliver superior acceleration
(0-100 km/h in 12.0 seconds with a maximum speed of 195 km/h), and superb
overtaking (60-80 km/h in 4.0 seconds and 120-140 km/h in 6.9 seconds).
Fuel economy is excellent at 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres.
Mated to Mitsubishi's acclaimed INVECS II 'Smart Logic' four-speed automatic
transmission with 'Sports Mode' sequential shifting, the drive-train delivers
optimum power, economy and drivability. The 'dash-mounted shifter and more
compact manual gate design makes for easier and simpler operation.
The gear ratios are:
| 1st |
2.842 |
| 2nd |
1.529 |
| 3rd |
1.000 |
| 4th |
0.712 |
| Reverse |
2.48 |
| Final Drive |
4.406 |
Power is put to the ground through a fully independent suspension that
features MacPherson struts at the front, and a semi-trailing arm arrangement at
the rear. Steering is power-assisted rack and pinion.
The steering and suspension work in perfect harmony to deliver well-mannered
and precise roadholding, with a flat, compliant and fatigue-free ride.
Considerable testing was undertaken in Australia to confirm suspension settings,
and to ensure that the ride and handling characteristics were suited to local
conditions.
A family-oriented car, such as Grandis, needs to deliver on safety. And,
Grandis does.
Grandis' new platform achieves the highest levels in its category in terms of
crashworthiness, structural stiffness and vibration and noise suppression.
In-house tests show that Grandis achieved six stars in the JNCAP, much higher
than all other similar vehicles
Major structural features of the platform include a straight frame rail
design with octagonal-section front side chassis members, three-directional
input / dispersion dash cross member and pillar braces that raise crash energy
absorption and dispersal efficiencies, plus spherical section floor panels that
realise increased floor stiffness and reduce vibration.
Additionally, the use of tailor blank technology – in which multiple sheets
of different thicknesses are welded together before forming – for the side door
outer panel, and front and rear side chassis members delivers the optimum panel
gauge configuration and thereby helps to reduce body weight.
Corrosion performance has also been improved with a significant increase in
the use of corrosion-resistant sheet.
Developed using Mitsubishi's own RISE advanced safety body technology, the
new platform realises a dramatic improvement in crashworthiness. The frame is
structurally designed to effectively absorb and disperse crash energy, while
minimising cabin deformation. As a result, Grandis achieves a 6-star JNCAP
crashworthiness rating in in-house testing for 65 km/h frontal offset, 55 km/h
full frontal, side and rear impacts.
However, secondary safety has not been neglected, as Grandis has a host of
secondary safety features.
It is available with a six-bag SRS airbag system that includes dual stage
driver and front passenger bags, as well as side and curtain airbags fitted as
standard.
Sure and safe braking is provided with the fitting of ventilated disc front,
and solid disc rear brakes. All models come with Grandis' 4-sensor, 4-channel
ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard. These features,
along with the variable-assist vacuum booster combine to generate maximum
stopping power with minimum pedal effort under emergency braking.
Three-point lap-sash seat belts with seat belt pre-tensioners and force
limiters, and height adjustable anchors are provided for the driver and
passenger. All other seating positions have three-point lap-sash seat belts. A
seat belt reminder warning is provided.
Tether anchors are provided in the second and third row seats (one bracket
and two plugs in the second row, and two plugs in the third row), while the rear
doors have child protection locks.
An electronic immobiliser is standard.
Grandis is fitted with 16” X 6.5JJ steel rims as standard, although a
five-spoke 16” alloy wheel is standard with the Luxury Pack option. Tyres are
215/60R 16 95H radial tyres, with a T135/90D 16 temporary spare wheel mounted
under the rear floor.
Available in eight exterior colours – Cool Silver Metallic, Deep Red Mica,
Light Blue Metallic, Medium Purple Metallic, Light Yellow Green Metallic, Deep
Blue Metallic, Black Mica and White Solid – Grandis comes with a two-tone blue
and grey interior.
The two options are the Luxury Pack (at a cost of $3,745) and Dual Sunroof
(at a cost of $2,000).
The Grandis MPV represents great value for money at $45,710 when compared
with other vehicles in its market segment. It will be enjoyed by families with
an active lifestyle that require a look-good package with excellent performance,
functionality, flexibility, safety and comfort in their vehicle.
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