Coupled with its launch of the redesigned 2007 Outlander SUV, Mitsubishi is celebrating 25 years of selling cars in the United States. One of the party’s attendees is the 2007 Outlander, a 220-horsepower SUV with seating for up to seven passengers, enough advanced electronics to keep the driver and his co-horts entertained for endless road trip miles, and an optional four-wheel-drive system that puts grip to all four tires with the simple turn of a knob. Housed under the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander’s hood is an aluminum 3.0-liter, single overhead cam, 24-valve V6 generating 220 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 204 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. California gets a clean-burning partial zero emissions (PZEV) version that offers seven fewer horses. Standard on every Outlander is a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, while buyers of the premium trims are treated to paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Of interesting note, the paddles are stationary, meaning they don’t move with the wheel, a feature favored by many driving enthusiasts who shuffle steer when driving on twisty roads. A front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspension system, complete with stabilizer bars, is charged with supporting between 3,527 and 3,791 pounds of curb weight, and an aluminum roof panel is used to lower the truck’s center of gravity. The 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander’s towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds, and a standard four-wheel-disc antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution keeps speeds under control while an optional four-wheel-drive system works to maintain grip. Like the redesigned Toyota RAV4, the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander can be equipped with a tight third-row seat. That two-person bench is available on the premium XLS model, which also features a climate control system, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel radio controls, and an optional Luxury Package with leather upholstery and heated front seats. These items are in addition to the standard items on the base LS, such as air conditioning, power door locks and mirrors, keyless entry, front-side and side-curtain airbags, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD and MP3 player. But for those tunes that just have to be cranked, Outlander buyers will want to opt for the 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio package. Music can be stored in a 30GB hard drive that’s part of the available navigation system, with a seven-inch touch screen that can play DVDs when the vehicle is parked.
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