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By
EWAN KENNEDY
2 January 2006
The new Mitsubishi 380 replaces both the Magna and
its upmarket brother the Verada and is significantly better than both.
Introduced at the Sydney motor show in October 2005, it’s already
gaining favour with quite a few buyers, though initial sales are
probably a bit slower than Mitsubishi Australia had hoped for. That’s
more due to the mini-fuel crisis raging at the time of the car’s
launch and we wouldn’t be surprised to see sales take off as 2006 gets
into its stride.
This is a family car so the cabin is the most
important thing of all to many buyers. Interior room in the new
380 is very impressive. In particular, the rear seat comes with
space and comfort that are much better than average. The front
seats are large and well shaped and provide stretch out room for
just about everyone. Two large adults can travel in the rear in
almost as much comfort as in the front. A third can be transported
without the seat feeling too squeezy.
Interior styling is pleasing to the eye in a
semi-sports manner and the overall impression of the cabin is that
it will suit driver and passengers alike.
Styling of the 380 is bolder than anything ever
attempted by Mitsubishi in its local cars before, though the
designers haven’t made the mistake of going too far. There are
carefully-shaped headlights flanking a radiator grille that makes
a positive statement in its shape. The grille looks particularly
good in the topline models, having a nice chrome finish. The
taillights have an angular design and come in two distinctly
different shapes depending on the model. However, we feel there's
some loss in visual strength in the models where the glass of the
taillights interrupt the lines of the built-in rear spoiler.
Mitsubishi Australia spent serious money at its
Adelaide factory in preparation for the new 380 and the build
quality is impressively high. Fit of the body panels is even and
the paint is near flawless. Inside, the overall appearance of the
materials and the way they have been installed is impressive.
All models of the new Mitsubishi 380 use the
same 3.8-litre engine. Its power peaks at 175kW at 5250rpm and
there's strong torque over all of the everyday part of the rev
range, with a maximum of 343Nm at 4000rpm. The great majority of
engines sit alongside a five-speed automatic transmission, but
Mitsubishi continues to offer a five-speed manual gearbox on some
variants.
Our testing shows the new engine is nicely
responsive in a controlled manner that makes the car feel nice and
refined at all revs. There's plenty of punch for overtaking and
the 380 gathers speed in a nicely linear manner.
Fuel consumption is likely to be under 10 litres
per hundred kilometres any time you are doing a moderately paced
country run, or when on a motorway. This is pretty good for a car
of this size and carrying capacity. Around the suburbs the
consumption will generally be in the 12 to 13 litres per hundred
range, though it will rise substantially if you want to fang it
around.
The model lineup opens with an entry-level model
simply called the Mitsubishi 380. Above that there are two luxury
models, the 380 LS and the 380 LX. Alongside them are two sporting
variants, the 380 VR-X and 380 GT. The latter is a GT in name
only, using the same 3.8-litre V6 engine as the rest of the range,
though it does have firmer suspension and a body kit.
It comes as no surprise that the Mitsubishi 380
carries on the Magna's long tradition of impressive smoothness and
quiet running. Our test car was the 380 LS, which is likely to be
the favourite with the private buyer as it provides excellent
value.
Handling is very good, with balance that could
almost be mistaken for that of a rear-drive car, even when pushed
relatively hard. Road grip is much higher than that likely to be
explored by the typical owner. Agility simply isn’t a feature of
any large front-drive family car but the big Mitsubishi is happy
to change directions with a minimum of fuss when asked to do so.
Steering feel is good and the 380 responds in a safe and
predictable manner under all circumstances.
This new Mitsubishi 380 is an impressive car in
many ways. In particular it does what a good family car should –
it cossets passengers by giving them plenty of space and offers a
smooth, refined ride on just about any road.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
380 3.8-litre four-door sedan - $34,490
380 VR-X 3.8-litre four-door sedan - $38,490
380 LS 3.8-litre four-door sedan - $40,990
380 LX 3.8-litre four-door sedan - $46,490
380 GT 3.8-litre four-door sedan - $47,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard on all models
Air Conditioning: Standard on all models
Automatic Transmission: $1500 option on 380 and VR-X, standard on
all other models
CD Player: Standard on all models
Central Locking: Standard on all models
Cruise Control: Standard on all models
Driver Airbag: Standard on all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard on all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard on all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Mitsubishi 380 VR-X 3.8-litre
four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 3.828 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 95.0 x 90.0mm
Maximum Power: 175kW @ 5250rpm
Maximum Torque: 343Nm @ 4000rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Five-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 4.111:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4837mm
Wheelbase: 2750mm
Width: 1840mm
Height: 1480mm
Turning Circle: 11.2 metres
Kerb Mass: 1630kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 67 litres
Towing Ability: 570kg (1600kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts, lower A-arm,
anti-sway bar, coil springs
Rear Suspension: Independent, multi-link with upper and lower
control arms, coil springs, anti-sway bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 8.1 seconds
Standing 400 Metres: 15.8 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
City Cycle: 12.9 L/100km
Highway Cycle: 9.7 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years/130,000km
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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