Motoring Today Column

Mar 07, 2018

We can't help but be astonished when the price tags of the four variants of Mitsubishi's all-new XPANDER were announced during its equally astonishing unveiling presentation by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) at the World Trade Center last Thursday, March 1.

The all-new Mitsubishi XPANDER is being offered in four (4) variants starting off with the GLX, which comes with Manual Transmission is priced at P885,000.00, the GLX Plus with Automatic Transmission has a price tag of P960,000.00, GLS AT is selling forP995,000.00 and the top of the line GLS Sport with Automatic Transmission is up for grabs for P1,060,000.00.

The Philippines is the second country to launch the all-new Mitsubishi XPANDER after its world premiere at theGaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Jakarta, Indonesia last August 2017. This all-new model is produced at Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s (MMC) new factory in Bekasi Prefecture, Indonesia.

The all-new XPANDER is equipped with a 1.5L 4A91 MIVEC ( Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control System ) DOHC 16-Valve engine which gives a maximum output of105 PS / 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 141 N-m / 4,000 rpm. According to MMPC, 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. The XPANDER is made to be fuel efficient without compromising its performance.

On hand during the impressive launch was MMC Corporate Vice President for design, Mr. Tsunehiro Kunimoto, who flew over from Japan just to present to the Philippine motoring media and Mitsubishi dealers his "baby", which he himself designed. He expressed during the presentation that the XPANDER's design was a product of putting together customers' thoughts, needs and desires. Its class-leading interior size provides a comfortable space for maximum of seven (7) 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.

Helping out during the detailed presentation of the highly anticipated all-new cross multi-purpose, sport utility vehicle was MMC's Chief Product Specialist, Mr. Takaaki Kishii, who made an assurance that the XPANDER provides not only comfortable seating position for passengers, but also excellent visibility and comfort for the driver. "With its high 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," Kishii-san emphasized.

For those who have an eye for a vehicle's luggage-carrying capacity, the XPANDER is presented as the only vehicle in its class that has a flat luggage floor without bumps and gaps. Its maximum cargo capacity is 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.

Veteran automobile designer, Kunimoto-san, who's on his first trip to the country adds, "The overall exterior communicates an adventurous and futuristic style. It flaunts Mitsubishi Motors' DYNAMIC SHIELD design concept with a luxurious front grille that comes 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."

As for the XPANDER's safety attributes, MMPC's First Vice President for marketing & vehicle sales, Mr. Froy Dytianquin confidently declares that safety will never be compromised as 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.

There's still a mouthful to say about this new market offering, which in all indications may turn out to be a major market changer in the local auto industry scenario, but I suggest you explore it by yourselves.

Word has it that it'll be available in early May but I was told that a slew of reservations have been made and steadily swelling-your move.

Happy Motoring!!!

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