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March 06
Edition

Pages in PDF

Regular
Features

› The Fat Lady
  Sings - the
  Editor's
  comment
  with
  JoAnn Pacholli

› In Tents Thawts
  with Mick Pacholli

› Sid's
  Comments
  with Sidney
  Somerville-Smith

› The Lie
  Detector
  with Mitchell
   Faircloth

› Fab's Ravings

› Technology
  with Chris Jacobs

› People's Views

› Are You
  Puzzled?
  with
  Narelle Stegehuis

› Family Issues
  with
  Marilyn Brideson

› Gallery Gazing

› Planet Clare

› Lovatts
  Crossword

› Social Scene
  with Ken James

› Live Theatre
  with Blair Edgar

› Movie Scene
  with
  Charlie Alexander

› Entertainment
  with Gary Turner

› Grazing in the
  Suburbs
  with Mick Pacholli

› Grazing in the
  Suburbs
  with Mark Heenan

› Fab's Travel

› Talking Manure
  with Mick Pacholli

› Furry Friends
  with
  Dr Graeme Smith

› Racing
  with Ted Ryan

› Rant & Rave
  with
  Paddles Hackett

› Bowls
  with Mick Pacholli

› Motoring
  with Garry Fabian

› Short Cuts
  Writers
  Competition

The Mitsubishi 380 – The Smart New Kid on the Block

[By Garry Fabian]

While Ford and Holden and to a lesser extend Toyota have dominated the “Big 6” market for years, and Mitsubishi had been running a distant fourth for many years, the launch of the Mitsubishi 380 has but a new Joker in the pack.

Sporty Sedan Image

It’s big with a roomy and well designed interior combined with a sporty sedan image, and a gutsy 3.8 lt V6 under the bonnet, that makes it a very impressive package.

The engine has been specifically developed to suit Australian conditions, and to deliver the power and torque demanded by Australian drivers, who have established a long-lasting love affair with engines that can handle the great distances with no effort, even when called on to tow a boat or caravan.

The 380 is big with a very well designed body shell and loads of room inside for five large adults and their luggage. The car looks and feels solid, and getting behind then wheel gives you the feel of being in charge. The four door sedan has a sporty style adding to its visual attraction.

The common body shell stretches across five model variations – The Standard 380; The 380 VRX; the 380 LS; The 380 LX and The 380 GT.

Generous Room

Leg, head and shoulder room is generous, and the well balanced suspension combines passenger comfort and perfect control to the driver on practically all road surfaces.

Specially developed for the 380, the suspension is designed to reduce steer bumps and improve directional stability. The rear suspension is designed to create additional luggage space with a bigger boot.

Available with a choice of a five speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode sequential shift.

Impressive Features

While different levels of accessories come with the various models, the Standard features an impressive array, including power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, 6-speaker audio system, climate control, 10-function trip computer, four cup holders, map lamps and sunglasses holder, ample storage, auto off headlamp control, to mention the main items.

The VRX adds traction control, sports tuned suspension, and leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, passenger lumbar support and a few other luxuries.

Quality & Safety

Safety is a major design strategy with a strong body shell, side impact front and rear deformation zones, twin front and side airbags, discs brakes with multi-channel ABS, energy absorbing upper trim and headlining, front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters.

The build quality is first class, as is the interior finish, making the 380 a very worthy challenger to the established “Kings of the 6 market” Ford and Holden.
Taken as a total package the Mitsubishi 380 is a very impressive car, that will attract a great deal of attention, and a whole new buyer profile that now have the additional serious option when shopping for a car in this segment of the market.

NUTS & BOLTS
Engine: 3.8 lt V6 175 kW and 343 Nm. 0-100 8.6 seconds
Suspension: front – independent McPherson struts with coils springs, lower A-arm and anti-sway bar; rear – independent low-mount multi-link coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers anti-sway bar.

Transmission: five-speed manual, five speed auto wit ‘sports mode’
Brakes: four-wheel discs with ABS
Dimensions: length 4837mm, width 1840mm, height 1479mm, wheelbase 2750mm, track front/rear 1570mm, fuel tank 67lts, turning circle 11.2 mts.

Economy: 11.4 lt/100km city; 10.8 lt/100km highway
Price: 380 $ 34,490; LS $40,990; LX $46,490; VRX $38,490; GT $47,990.
Warranty: 3 Year/100,000km

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