The Challenger is back

The Mitsubishi Challenger has had something of a chequered life. First, it was on the new-vehicle market, then it was off, and now it is back on again. Rob Maetzig drives the latest model.

When the Mitsubishi Challenger was first introduced 13 years ago, it was touted by many as a poor man's Pajero.

That was no criticism either, because it entered the market as a grunty and comfortable medium-sized sport utility vehicle that might not have carried the cachet of the famous Pajero, but it didn't carry the Pajero's heftier pricetag either.

As a result, it did really well. Known as the Montero Sport in North America, G-wagon in Thailand, Shogun Sport in Britain and the Pajero Sport elsewhere in Europe, it proved a popular choice for those seeking a solid SUV at a reasonable price.

But a few years ago, Mitsubishi discontinued the Challenger in favour of its new and more car-like AWD crossover vehicle, the Outlander. In New Zealand, that left consumers with the choice of either the larger Pajero, the smaller Outlander, or – if they really wanted something in between – the Triton double-cab ute.

Of course, Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand will never officially say this, but the company was really disappointed to see the end of that first-generation Challenger, because it was a volume seller here.

But there was no choice. Mitsubishi had originally designed the Challenger as a development of the Triton ute, and when a new-generation version of the ute was built, a new Challenger wasn't part of the project. End result: an unfortunate hole in the Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand selection of all-wheel drive vehicles.

But now that hole has been filled with the arrival of a second-generation Challenger. Once again, it is based on the ladder-frame chassis of the Triton ute, and for the New Zealand market, it is powered by the same 2.5-litre common-rail turbocharged and intercooled diesel that is working so outstandingly well aboard the Triton.

The arrival of the Challenger instantly positions Mitsubishi as the vehicle marque with one of the best selections of all-wheel-drive vehicles in New Zealand, and it will get better too, with the arrival later this year of the Mitsubishi ASX, the European-spec version of the Japanese market RVR, which is will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The ASX, which is about the same size as Nissan's Qashqai, will slot in under the Outlander in the Mitsubishi lineup.

Two versions of the Challenger are available in New Zealand. There is the five-seater GLS, which retails for $56,990, and there is the seven-seater leather-upholstered Exceed, which carries a $61,990 price tag.

That's good pricing, and it lineballs both models with a range of competition vehicles that include the Ford Territory, Holden Captiva, Hyundai Sante Fe, Kia Sorrento, and Nissan Pathfinder.

The prices also slot the Challengers perfectly between the Outlander and the Pajero.

Whereas the first-generation Challenger was a chunky-looking SUV, the new model offers smooth and attractive lines that rate as among the best around.

The front is all Triton ute, but the rest of the Challenger's bodyshell is its own, sitting on a wheelbase that is slightly shorter than the ute, but offering front and rear tracks that are considerably wider in the interests of improved room.

Our test vehicle was the Exceed, and it impresses as a nicely specified SUV for the price. It adds that third row of seats which are split 50-50, the rear has its own manually controlled air conditioning, and other premium features include leather seat trim, a powered driver's seat, eight-speaker sound system, headlight washers, speed-sensitive window wipers, and reversing sensors.

This is in addition to standard items, which include steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio and cruise control, remote keyless entry, an MP3 jack, privacy glass and a cargo blind.

Up under the bonnet of this new Triton is a 2.5-litre turbo diesel that replaces both the 2.8-litre diesel and the 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines that were part of the previous Challenger range.

It is interesting to note that modern-day advances in diesel technology have meant that despite its smaller cubic capacity, the new engine develops 133 kilowatts of power, which is about the same as the old V6 petrol and 45 per cent more than the old diesel.

Meanwhile, the torque – all-important for any SUV with off-road capability – is 356 newton metres.

While that's not as much as the 400-plus newton metres available from the same engine in the four-wheel-drive Triton utes fitted with manual transmission, it's good all the same.

NUTS AND BOLTS

MITSUBISHI CHALLENGER EXCEED

POWER PLANT: 2.5-litre common-rail turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine, 133kW at 4000rpm, 356Nm at 1800rpm.

RUNNING GEAR: Super Select all-wheel drive system with low ratio. Invecs-II five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode. Wishbone front suspension, three-link torque arm setup at the rear. HOW BIG: Length 4695mm, width 1815mm, height 1840mm, wheelbase 2800mm.

HOW MUCH: $61,990. WHAT'S GOOD: Good-looking new SUV with plenty of interior room. Real off-road talent. WHAT'S NOT: Diesel clatter a bit intrusive. Ride is ute-like.

OUR VERDICT: There will be plenty of New Zealanders who will welcome back the Challenger. It's an honest old-style SUV in fresh new packaging.

- © Fairfax NZ News