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Airtrek gets extra boost
If you've ever driven a Mitsubishi Evo VII you'll know that it's as brutal and intoxicating as any road car money can buy. There's no concession to comfort and an almost clinical, obsessive focus on going as quickly as possible above all else. The Evo makes you drive faster than you would in other cars but at the same time engages you on a personal level - goading you mercilessly until you give it all of your attention and start working to its agenda. If you're not committed it sulks and you feel like a wimp, and when you do give in and push the Evo anywhere near its limits your licence is in grave danger. People who buy them must be very strong-willed or have no regard for the law whatsoever.
The four-wheel drive five-door has a muscular, high-shouldered look, enhanced by its semi-SUV layout. An almost chopped look about the roof and side glass emphasises the wedgy lines; the bonnet scoop for the intercooler and the 16-inch diameter alloy wheels reinforce the impression of power and purpose.
The Airtrek Turbo is a high-performance boosted 2.0-litre that joins the rather anaemic front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive naturally-aspirated Airtrek 2.0s.
It's chalk and cheese between those non-boosted cars and the 177kW Turbo.
Its basic powertrain comes from the automatic gearbox version of the high-performance Lancer Evo 7.
The 16-valve, intercooled turbomotor delivers hefty peak torque of 343Nm. Mitsubishi says that's good enough to tow 1500kg loads.
It's also good enough to supply very rapid acceleration and sparkling open road passing power.
The car launches smoothly and instantly from rest.
Though there's a little turbo lag and a hefty push when the turbocharger comes on boost, the lag isn't great enough to be really annoying.
The five-speed INVECS II Sport Mode automatic transmission can be left in Drive to make its own decisions or be shifted manually using either a lever which sprouts from the bottom of the dashboard or up and down buttons which are duplicated on each side of the steering wheel.
It shifts smoothly if left in Drive, and has good, smooth and instant kickdown.
The car rides on sports suspension and that adds up to a rather jiggly ride around town and somewhat bumpy progress on uneven open road surfaces.
Handling is generally good, though biased towards understeer.
The accommodation is excellent with comfortable, well-shaped seats that gave sufficient support during brisk cornering. The seat trim was an attractive blue velour pattern.
The Airtrek Turbo is pleasant to drive, with secure handling and grip. It's also pleasant to travel in and is a good long-distance conveyance. Fuel economy? Not a strong suit. .
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| Make & Model |
| Make | | Mitsubishi |
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| Model | | Airtrek Turbo |
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| Doors | | 5 |
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| Passengers | | 5 |
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| Price | |
Search from International price list |
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| Cylinder |
| Cylinder | | DOHC 16v 4cyl inline |
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| Bore x Stroke (mm) | | N/A |
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| Displacement (cc) | | 1997 cc |
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| Compression Ratio | | N/A |
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| Torque (Nm@rpm) | | 35.0/2,500 kg-m/rpm |
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| Power (PS@rpm) | | 240/5,500 PS/rpm |
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| Dimension |
| Wheelbase | | 2,625 mm |
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| Length | | 4,465 mm |
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| Width | | 1,750 mm |
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| Height | | 1,540 mm |
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| Track - Front | | 1,495 mm |
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| - Rear | | 1,495 mm |
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| Curb Weight (kg) | | 1,520 kg |
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| Chasis & Body |
| Body Material | | N/A |
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| Brake | | F: Vent Disc R: Drum |
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| Tyre - Front | | 215 60R16 |
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| - Rear | | 215 60R16 |
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| Wheel | | 16" Alloy |
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| Suspension System | | Front: McPherson strut, coil springs with stabiliser bar
Rear: Multi-link with stabiliser bar
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| Performance |
| Top Speed (mph) | | 175 km/h |
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| 0 - 60MPH | | 6 sec |
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| 0 - 100MPH | | N/A |
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| Fuel Economy (litre) | | 60 litres |
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| Transmision | | 5-speed automatic |
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| Transmission Ratio - 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th/6th | | N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A / N/A |
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| - final/Reverse | | N/A / N/A |
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