2016 Mitsubishi Montero Sport: This Is Finally It! (With Videos and Thai Brochure)

As expected, the new Mitsubishi Montero Sport has been launched just a few weeks after the Fortuner. Called the Pajero Sport in Thailand, the new Montero Sport competes in a highly competed segment especially in the ASEAN market. After Mitsubishi released the Strada, I didn’t exactly have high hopes for the next Montero, so when spy shots came out, I was highly surprised.

First, the look. It look so aggressive and contemporary. The “Dynamic Shield” design language of Mitsubishi that premiered in their concepts, was finally adopted to the Montero Sport’s design. You couldn’t tell this is actually based on the Strada. Bi-LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights and “Spectrum” LED tail lights give it a very distinctive and unmistakable look both at the day and night. The exterior design is distinctive and complete different from any of the competition’s offerings, and while it’s a very bold design, it’s a design that I highly love.

Inside, however, looks a bit similar to the Strada. Minor changes in the interior such as a more beautifully made gear lever, faux aluminum trimmings, glossy black plastic, make it look more premium than the Strada’s. Premium to the touch is another story, as we have yet to get inside one to fully appreciate the interior’s tactile feel. A TFT LCD display in the middle of the two gauges also serve as an integrated navigation display, showing route guidelines in the driver’s sight, while the Electronic Parking Brake frees up center console space and makes the interior cleaner and more modern.

What most of us at Go Flat Out were surprised was with the powertrain and features. Firstly, the powertrain. It is powered by Mitsubishi’s new 2.4 liter MIVEC clean diesel, producing 178 hp and 430 Nm of torque. The surprising part is its new 8-Speed Automatic Transmission. EIGHT FREAKING GEARS!! The least expensive car I know with an 8-Speed slushbox is a BMW 120d. This powertrain combination, as said by Mitsubishi, is 17% more fuel efficient compared to the powertrain combination it replaces.

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport also debuts a set of Mitsubishi’s new active safety features for the Montero. These features include Blind Spot Warning, Collision Mitigation System, Misacceleration Mitigation System, and a 360 degree Multi Around Monitor. The Montero Sport is not just aiming squarely at the Fortuner, it is also aiming towards the Ford Everest, but the Everest still remains to be the more cutting-edge model with a power liftgate, 3rd row power folding seats, and Active Park Assist. Nevertheless, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport puts many of its competitors to shame.

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport is finally launched, and in months time, this will soon arrive in the Philippine market. Which of the new body-on-frame midsize PPVs are you most excited about?

Auto Show Photos from MZ Crazy Cars Thailand‘s Facebook

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