It was not just a simple facelift. The new Pajero TR4 in 2010 was the biggest job of recreating a model that MMC, Mitsubishi's representative in Brazil, has done until today. The Japanese presented on Wednesday the SUV to journalists, including Blogauto. See below our first contact with the model.
According to director of engineering for GM Reinaldo Muratori, "only the ceiling is equal to that of TR4 2009. We talked with the executive who told us how was the work of developing the sport utility vehicle, made 100% in Brazil. "It was not easy because the Japanese are resistant to major changes," explained Muratori.
"He was on a visit to Japan that took a study with pictures of a mockup of TR4 we imagine. The staff of Mitsubishi liked and wanted to come to Brazil to learn, but the car did not exist. Even after approval, the design team of the matrix also gave hints in some areas, such as expansion of the logo on the front of the car, "the director said.
Improving the performance of the engine was another novel, confessed Muratori. "Since the time of developing the first engine flex TR4 wanted improvements, but Mitsubishi did not agree." He says he asked the Japanese what the engine had the worst of them for competition. The response was the compression ratio of 9,5:1, too low to get more alcohol. When the Brazilians said there were engines with up to 13:1 compression in our market, Mitsubishi was scared. Even so, a new engineer promised to fulfill in the future and help develop the new engine with 140 horsepower and 22 Nm of torque, both using alcohol.
Driving the 2010 TR4
And the TR4, after all, better? The answer is yes. In the visual aspect, the SUV struck - it seems he was born so, the result of extending the facelift, which left almost no marks of the style of the past. The headlights are so derived that were used in Airtrek extinct, but were quite elegant. Mitsubishi took the side of the crease to soften it and replaced the lid of the trunk, although the gap has had with the left side, ideal for the Japanese market. The front follows the DNA of Mount Fuji, the dormant volcano close to Tokyo. Therefore the triangular shape.
Inside, the changes were great too, but traces of the past are still unclear. The division of the panel, for example, still delivers that heritage, but a new instrument panel and center console redesigned aired the environment. The bluish tint of the dials remember L200 Triton, as well as the steering wheel. The radio double din is in line with the latest offering in addition to CD and MP3 connection for iPod, USB and Bluetooth.
The internal space is another item that betrays the age of TR4 actually born iO and sold in Brazil since 1999. But the driving position is more natural compared to the Pajero Sport Flex. We walked with the automatic version, priced at R $ 71,990 and that maintains the same 4-speed exchange of traction beyond the 4 × 4 with four positions: 4 × 2, AWD, 4 × 4 × 4 and 4 blocked low.
The route of the test driver was done in the rain in stretches of asphalt roads and muddy, but not the point of being necessary to use the reduced traction. Even with improved torque and power, the TR4 has the agility that we imagine. On resumption, the response time was only reasonable, especially at higher speeds. Mitsubishi does not disclose performance data, making it difficult to prove that.
On urban stretches or even on land, the TR4 is a nice car, driving direct and appropriate in the staging of marches and walks to the transit. More than that and then difficulties arise.
In the face of novelty
The dilemma of this segment is very clear. To sell a lot, you must create a crossover like Tucson, for example, that looks like a off-road, but features of the car. Mitsubishi confesses that he does not identify with this kind of proposal-has until the Outlander in line, but that will become more distant family Pajero. Its products have DNA from off-road and the TR4 is no different. But as I said an official of the brand, "already are 50 000 customers of TR4 in Brazil. He wants to continue with the car, but was looking for something new. Now he has ".
