Mitsubishi RVR

This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the Japanese Wikipedia.
Mitsusbishi RVR
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors
Production 1991–2002, 2010-present
Class Compact MPV
Mini SUV

The Mitsubishi RVR is Mitsubishi Motors compact MPV introduced in 1991, with the second generation released in 2002, and a compact crossover which was introduced in 2010.

The RVR was Mitsubishi's Recreational Vehicle debut during the Japanese economic boom. The cars were sold at the Mitsubishi Dealership chain called (Japanese: Car Plaza) . RVR is an acronym for Recreation Vehicle Runner. In addition, the original logo had a Cyrillic Я on the first letter. It had a convenient size passenger cabin and spacious 4-5 person capacity with a youth-oriented approach. Television commercials in Japan used Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck as spokespeople. [1] It was also developed and released during Japan's "bubble economy", and had gained popularity due to its ease of use sliding door on the passenger side.

It was a tall wagon, off-road model that sought awareness towards "sports gear" or outdoor lifestyles to other companies, similar to an approach used for the introduction of the Honda City, allowing drivers to setting their own routes, and it had an especially good sales record in the beginning, even with the decline of the RV sales boom. Unfortunately due to declining sales, it was discontinued in August 2002.

The reintroduction of the "Sports Gear" RVR nameplate is an attempt to inherit the popularity of the first generation vehicle, and it was released in Japan on February 17, 2010. Gone is the rear sliding door, due to the current perception that SUVs have conventional doors, and sliding doors are typically installed on family vehicles. The RVR logo does not use the inverted Cyrillic Я on the first letter.

The trim level that is typically used is the grade name "Sports Gear", a move Mitsubishi is reintroducing, such as Airtrek and Grandis.

Contents

First generation (1991–1999)

First generation
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors
Also called Mitsubishi Space Runner
Mitsubishi Expo LRV
Eagle Summit Wagon
Plymouth Colt Wagon
Dodge Colt Wagon
Production 1991–1999
Assembly Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
Class Compact MPV
Mini SUV
Body style 4- door MPV
Layout Front engine,
front- or four-wheel drive
Engine

Sports Gear trim package
4WD straight-4 DOHC 4G63 engine 2000cc
straight-4 4D68 engine 2000cc Diesel Direct
Hyper Sports Gear R trim package
4WD 4G63 engine 2000cc straight-4 DOHC
X/X2 trim package

4WD straight-4 DOHC 4G63 engine 2000cc
FWD straight-4 SOHC 4G93 engine 1800cc
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
4-speed INVECS semi-auto
Wheelbase 2,520–2,550 mm (99.2–100.4 in)
Length 4,290–4,480 mm (168.9–176.4 in)
Width 1,695–1,740 mm (66.7–68.5 in)
Height 1,625–1,730 mm (64.0–68.1 in)
Curb weight 1,380–1,570 kg (3,042–3,461 lb)
Related Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Chariot
Mitsubishi Mirage
Eagle Summit Wagon

The first RVR, introduced February 1991, is a compact MPV, manufactured between 1991 and 2002. It was known as the Mitsubishi Space Runner in Europe and Mitsubishi Expo LRV in the United States, while export markets in Asia and Oceania used the Japanese market name. The RVR was also sold by Chrysler as the Dodge/Plymouth Colt Wagon and Eagle Summit Wagon captive imports in North America.[1] Its "tall wagon" appearance reflected a popular appearance which found favor with many international manufacturers, which can trace their beginnings to the 1978 concept car Lancia Megagamma.

The Hyper Sports Gear R trim package in Japan used the drivetrain of the first Mitsubishi Galant VR-4; the 4G63T 2.0 L 16V DOHC turbo straight-4 mated to either a four-speed auto or a five speed manual which was not offered in North America. Open front and rear differentials were used on vehicles equipped with 4WD. Power output was rated at 170–184 kW (231–250 PS; 228–247 hp). In Japan, the RVR saw competition from the Nissan Rasheen, the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, the Subaru Forester, and the Suzuki Escudo.

The RVR was essentially a second generation Mitsubishi Chariot with a shortened chassis and sharing the components of the longer vehicle, with two rows of seats, and a tall wagon SUV equipped with a sliding door on the passenger side, similar to the Toyota Raum and Nissan Prairie. There was no door for the rear passengers behind the driver; only one sliding door was installed on the passenger side for all trim levels, and for all vehiches sold internationally. This was a different configuration from the larger Chariot in that the longer vehicle had conventional doors on both sides of the vehicle. Also, the Mitsubishi sliding door latched to a "B" pillar, whereas the Toyota and Nissan vehicles didn't. The rear windows didn't retract into the doors or body, instead they poped out at the back edge of the window. The rear windows on the longer Chariot did retract into the doors.

The fuel tank access door was installed on the right side for all versions sold internationally, however, for vehicles where the driver was on the left side, and the sliding door was on the right side, care needed to be taken to avoid opening the sliding door when fuel was being added to the fuel tank.

The standard installed fixed position rear bench seat arrangement could accommodate three persons and the seatbacks had a 50:50 split: the seat backs could be folded flat upon the seats, and then the seat cushion could be detached from the rear and folded up and forward towards the front seats, leaving a flat floor for large cargo items. The optional sliding bench rear seats could accommodate three people, with the setup allowing rear seat passengers additional leg room by sliding the entire rear seat assembly back. Depending on seating arrangements, the rear seats can then produce a large enough interior space by sliding the seats completely forward, then extending the seatbacks completely flat.

Originally installed with a naturally aspirated 2.0L/1.8L gasoline engine, it was later introduced with a diesel turbo engine model thereafter. The mid-model sports model with a detune type of turbo engine 4G63 is also carried on the Lancer Evolution its "X3" and "Super Sport Gear" and offered an optional sliding metal sunroof. Finally and most powerful model, "Hyper Sports Gear" was added in January 1997.

Hyper Sports Gear Engine is the same as the Lancer Evolution, Lancer Evolution high calling as a version of RV.

Due to platform sharing with the longer Chariot, and the benefit of development time, many of the mechanical components from past Galant contributions with new mechanism improvements, the RVR is basically reliable and robust. However, the individual is about 60,000 km Automatic Transmission capable, greet life with a plug cord about three years, would upset the sensors and around the throttle servo mechanism (such as not idling as symptoms appear), etc.

Automatic Transmission shift lock was mechanism instead of an electrical control, a unique method that deregulation was mechanically wire extending from the brake pedal. This was also the advantage of being unaffected by the battery.


Second generation (1997–2002)

Second generation
Also called Mitsubishi Space Runner
Production 1997–2002
Assembly Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
Class Compact MPV
Mini SUV
Engine 1.8 L, 2.0 L, Mitsubishi Sirius engine 2.4 L w/GDI
Length 4,280–4,480 mm (168.5–176.4 in)
Width 1,695–1,780 mm (66.7–70.1 in)
Height 1,650–1,720 mm (65.0–67.7 in)
Related Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis

The second generation was introduced in 1997. This generation assumed the Chariot name, supplanting the previous RVR name, and the longer previous generation Chariot was changed to the name "Chariot Grandis", while still being the shortened model and sharing the components for reuse. The Chariot is now number three in size, the RVR is the number of looks like a minivan at 5 "GDI RVR" and No. 3 in a crossover SUV "RVR Sports Gear" was divided into two forms. Mechanisms such as sliding doors and rear seat was a long slide that is characteristic of the predecessor remain. It was not sold in North America. In Europe, this car was restyled and sold as the Mitsubishi Space Runner.[2]

The model offers a significant face lift, which was done to mirror the image design of the Chariot Grandis and its brisk sales in 1999 at the time. The new set of cars with rear sliding doors was often also requested. Sports cars were slightly higher and higher gear spare tire carrier, was out in front in the second generation in off-road color, the design load and then focused on "Sports Gear Aero" is set, the young aimed to develop a focus on a new audience. Standard grades of "X" (later the "Exceed") and type of sport "sports gear" is classified into, the standard type "X" is a 1.8L gasoline engine, "Sports Gear" is a 2.4L GDI engine with a turbo engine or 2L 4G63. Vehicles installed with the 2.4 L. engine were liable for additional yearly tax charges in Japan due to the engine size exceeding the Japanese regulations concerning engine displacement. Furthermore, the high performance model "Sports Gear X3", came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob with self-leveling xenon headlights, and the original seat had been a interwoven pattern image of hummingbirds.


Third generation (2010–present)

Third generation
Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors
Also called Mitsubishi ASX
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Production 2010–present
Assembly Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan,
Class Compact crossover
Body style 5-door MPV
Layout Front engine,
front- or four-wheel drive
Platform Mitsubishi GS platform
Engine 1.6, 1.8, or 2.0 L Mitsubishi 4B1 engine or Mitsubishi 4N1 engine w/MIVEC I4
Transmission 5/6-speed manual
6-speed INVECS-III CVT
Wheelbase 2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length 4,295 mm (169.1 in)
Width 1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Height 1,615 mm (63.6 in)
Related Citroën C4 Aircross
Peugeot 4008
Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Outlander
Dodge Caliber

The third generation RVR is a compact crossover vehicle, first released in the Japanese domestic market on February 17, 2010.[3] In Europe, Australia and Perú it is sold as the Mitsubishi ASX[3] (an abbreviation of "Active Sports Crossover"),and as the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in the United States. In Canada it is sold as the Mitsubishi RVR, while in Puerto Rico it keeps both the ASX and Outlander Sport titles as well.[4] It is based on the design of the Mitsubishi Concept-cX prototype first exhibited at the 62nd Frankfurt Motor Show in July 2007.[1][5][6] It is a return to the original concept of offering the platform used for the longer Mitsubishi Outlander with reduced seating capacity to five people, while sharing components of the longer vehicle, demonstrating a corporate decision to return Mitsubishi to smaller, fuel efficient vehicles in favor of larger, truck-based products. It was also exhibited at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in September the same year.[7]

The Asian RVRs are powered by the 4B10 1.8 litre gasoline engine mated to an INVECS-III continuously variable transmission.[8] North American, Singaporean, Chinese, Malaysian, Philippine and Australian vehicles will get the larger 4B11 2.0 L, while the European ASX will use a new 4A92 1.6 litre gasoline engine. In Europe and Australia the 4N13 1.8 L direct-injection turbodiesel engine will be also be available as options.[9] The whole range of petrol engines - 1.6L (117 hp), 1.8L (140 hp) and 2.0L (150 hp) will be offered in the Russian and Ukrainian market.

Mitsubishi has concentrated on emphasizing the RVR's fuel economy and low emissions, as part of the company's plan to reposition itself as a maker of smaller and more efficient cars, in contrast to its previous successes building large SUVs.[10] The vehicle is both eligible for an eco-car tax reduction in Japan,[8] and Euro-5 compliant in Europe.[10]

The European ASX was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010,[9][10] while the North American Outlander Sport/RVR was revealed at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.[11] In North America, the Outlander Sport has a similar approach to the Subaru Outback Sport, known in Europe and Australia as the Subaru Impreza XV. It also is an alternative to the Nissan Juke and the Suzuki SX4.

References

  1. ^ a b "Named: 2011 Mitsubishi RVR", Inside Line, December 4, 2009
  2. ^ Mitsubishi Space Runner 1999 for Italian market
  3. ^ a b "Mitsubishi RVR crossover launched in Japan!", Danny Tan, Paultan.org, February 22, 2010
  4. ^ "Mitsubishi launches new ASX model", Puerto Rico Daily Sun, November 30, 2010
  5. ^ "Mitsubishi Concept-cX: Global unveiling of at 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, July 30, 2007
  6. ^ "Mitsubishi Motors lineup at 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, August 29, 2007
  7. ^ "Mitsubishi Motors lineup at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show", Mitsubishi Motors press release, September 7, 2007
  8. ^ a b "Mitsubishi Motors Launches RVR New Compact Crossover", Mitsubishi Motors press release, February 17, 2010
  9. ^ a b "Mitsubishi ASX previewed ahead of Geneva", Danny Tan, Paultan.org, January 20, 2010
  10. ^ a b c "Geneva motor show: Mitsubishi ASX SUV", Autocar, 15 February 2010
  11. ^ "New York 2010: Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Debuts With High Expectations", Autoguide, 1 April 2010

External links