Mitsubishi Challenger goes 2WD

THE highlight for Challenger in the raft of Mitsubishi 2012 model year updates is a new entry-level 2WD version that shaves $4500 off the price of getting into the Thai-built, Triton-based SUV.

This is the first time a company has taken a traditional SUV and applied the knife to its 4WD plumbing to appeal to buyers who are not interested in off-road capability.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd product planner Tony Principe said the 2WD is intended to appeal to buyers who need a high towing capacity but have no need for 4WD.

Mr Principe said he believed many such buyers, primarily but not exclusively caravanners, may have chosen a 2WD passenger wagon in the past, but with such wagons becoming thinner on the ground in the new-vehicle market these buyers have had no choice but to buy a 4WD vehicle.

The $36,990 2WD headlines the MY12Challenger updates, which also includes availability of a reversing camera across the range.

The five-seat-only Challenger 2WD is available with a five-speed manual or five-speed auto and has the same 3000kg maximum towing capacity as the 4WD model.



A $3640 Convenience Pack for the automatic version includes the reversing camera, side and curtain airbags, leather steering wheel with audio controls, privacy glass, six-speaker sound system, climate-control, 17-inch alloy wheels, upgraded grille, auto wipers and lights, fog lights and roof rails.

The reversing camera is now a standard feature for 4WD LS and XLS models, as is a USB port, while seven-seat models receive improved rear air-conditioning vents.

The Challenger 4WD five-seater price remains unchanged while a $500 impost has been applied to LS models and an $800 increase to XLS models.

Across the range, MY12 Challengers gain mirror-mounted (rather than guard-mounted) side indicator repeaters with a chrome faux vent in the front guard.

They are powered by the same 2.5-litre turbo-diesel as before, producing 131kW of power at 4000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2000rpm (Auto: 350Nm at 1800rpm), with transmissions choices again being five-speed manual or auto.

With only a 3.0 per cent share of the medium SUV segment, the Challenger is a relatively humble player, but sales are 5.7 per cent higher than last year (1723 units to the end of September) in a segment that is down more than 10 per cent.

MY2012 MitsubishiChallenger pricing:&nbsp
2WD	$36,990
4WD	$41,490
LS 5-seat	$45,490
LS 7-seat (a)	$49,890
XLS 5-seat (a)	$55,290
XLS 7-seat (a)	$57,190