Say what you will about Mitsubishi, the brand that won’t die hangs around, in part, because it seems to know what product segments to remain in. The 2017 Outlander Sport shows the maker is ready to run in the small crossover market, which is growing.
Mitsubishi Manufacturing North America will debut a Limited Edition model for the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at the Chicago Auto Show later this week.
Positioned directly above the ES base model, the Outlander Sport Limited Edition offers customers striking style and technology enhancements at an affordable price.
The Outlander is a crucial vehicle for Mitsubishi, accounting for nearly 65% of the brand’s total U.S. sales. Ensuring its success ensures Mitsubishi’s success.
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“As the brand sales leader, Outlander Sport does an exemplary job of offering consumers unmatched value at an attractive price,” said Don Swearingen, executive vice president and chief operating officer, MMNA.
“We’ve now taken that approach one step further by integrating additional standard equipment and technology into the Limited Edition at a price point that is unprecedented within the broader CUV segment.”
The Sport is the smaller and sportier edition of the Outlander SUV. The Limited Edition features stylish upgrades like an alloy fuel door, black painted door mirrors and 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, HID headlamps, a rear view camera and a Limited Edition badge.
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While the Limited Edition trim is available in all Outlander Sport exterior colors, the interior receives a custom design with black fabric and red stitching on the steering wheel, shift knob and brake lever exclusive to the LE trim. Other interior features include aluminum pedals, heated front seats and a display audio system with Smartphone Link for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Outlander Sport Limited Edition will be in dealerships later this month for $21,995 and available through the end of the model year. Mitsubishi, which was recently purchased by Nissan Renault, also sells a few other vehicles in the U.S.
The Mirage hatchback reports the best fuel economy of any non-hybrid in the U.S. Additionally, the company produces the Lancer, but the small sedan is going by the wayside as sedan sales give way to utility and truck sales.
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To cater to that demand, Mitsubishi plans to a new compact ute at the Geneva Motor Show next month that will debut the brand’s new “Dynamic Shield” design. The design language was already seen on the eX electric sport coupe and the GT plug-in hybrid concepts briefly shown before the Detroit Auto Show in January.