The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, or as they’re calling it in alphanumeric-loving Europe, the ASX, is 15 inches shorter than the Outlander GT. Like its big brother, it gets magnesium paddle shifters. However, they are connected to a CVT instead of Mitsu’s sweet dual-clutch gearbox.
The real upshot of that CVT is the Outlander Sport’s 31-mpg highway figure, a right respectable number for a small crossover. In fact, that means the Outlander Sport is competitive with a small CUV we like a whole bunch, the new Hyundai Tucson. Besides the CVT, Mitsu has installed weight-saving plastic front fenders, electric power steering and has sculpted the Outlander Sport down to an admirably slippery 0.33 Cd. The Outlander Sport can also be shifted from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive and will be available in this whimsical vibrant shade of show car blue.
The great economic collapse of 2009 crushed Mitsubishi with a much larger house than most other manufacturers. They haven’t died like the wicked witch from the west, but they are slowly crawling out from the rubble and back to their feet, with slightly improved February sales. They were still down 10 percent, and from an already frighteningly low level. Obviously, something must be done.
