All-new Mitsubishi Montero Sport units now in Cebu

The all-new Mitsubishi Montero Sport displayed at Mitsubishi Cebu main in Mandaue City. CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

 
Mitsubishi Cebu welcomed the much-anticipated third-generation Montero Sport midsize sports utility vehicle to its showrooms.

 
Different variants of the all-new model were displayed at the Mitsubishi Cebu showroom along M.C. Briones Street in Mandaue City and in its south dealership in Mambaling, Cebu City starting Wednesday.

CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

Mitsubishi Cebu said it started accepting orders for the pickup-platform vehicle last Nov. 9. Releasing of the brand-new SUV is expected to start next month but some units may be delivered as early as this month.

 
The new Montero Sport is a complete makeover of the previous generation that was launched in the country in 2008.

 
Highlighting the exterior is its futuristic face that boasts of the “Dynamic Shield” design. The side features an upswept beltline while taillights are also one of its strong points as it drips down into the rear bumper.

The unique rear combination lights of the Montero Sport. CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

The Montero Sport uses  an all-new 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine with Mitsubishi’s famed MIVEC variable valve timing system, a first for the Montero Sport model. The engine delivers  181 horsepower and 430 Newton-meter of torque. More importantly, the engine is said to be a clean-diesel engine that is Euro-4 compliant.

 
Also a segment first, and the first for any Mitsubishi, the SUV uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is also available.

 
Highlighting the interior is a high console design with a large color touchscreen, steering wheel controls and an electronic parking brake. The center console and door are bordered in matte metallic trims.

Driver’s cockpit.
CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA

The new Montero Sport also boasts of improved handling and ride stability with its revised suspension. It has a decent ground clearance of 218 mm with a fording depth of 700 mm. It has a 30-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle and 23-degree ramp-over angle.

 
Same with its predecessor, the Montero Sport has the tightest turning radius of 5.6 meters, way better than its competitors’  that  usually measures six meters.

 
The arrival of the Montero Sport is expected to heat up an already hotly contested midsize SUV segment in the city. Its current competitors are the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Isuzu MU-X, Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner, which is also set to welcome an all-new model soon.

OLD AND NEW. The outgoing (left) and incoming models of the Montero Sport.
CDN PHOTO BRIAN J. OCHOA