Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today launched the All New Montero on June 25. The All-New Montero will replace the existing model, which was till recently being marketed in India. The vehicle is currently being made available as a completely built unit (CBU) and will be marketed through the network of 35 Mitsubishi Motors dealership across India. The new Montero has a number of technological features that give it supreme leading edge performance and unmatched on and off road capabilities.
Hindustan Motors makes ambassador at Uttarpara in West Bengal and Mitsubishi’s Lancer, Cedia and Pajero vehicles at its plant near Chennai. It imports the Montero from Japan and retails it for around Rs34 lakh, before taxes. Hindustan Motors said that it was selling 30 units a month of a previous model of the Montero, which it had introduced in the Indian market in August. For the new Montero it is looking to sell about 30-40 models a month. Hindustan and Mitsubishi also plans introduce a new model by the end of this year which would take the total number of products to five. Here’s a look on new Montero.
All-terrain performance:
* The new Montero retains the generous ramp angles that define it as a true all-round SUV and allows it to negotiate all types of surface: an approach angle of 36.6-degrees; break over angle of 22.5-degrees and departure angle of 25-degrees.
* A new engine that features detail improvements to realize a perfect harmony between high output and eco friendly performance. The engine is a 3.2-liter, 16 Valve, DOHC, Turbo charged intercooled diesel with CRDi (Common Rail Direct Injection) system.
* The new diesel engine provides superior torque, especially at low and mid rev ranges. The new Common Rail injection system electronically controls fuel intake to deliver precisely the right amount to each cylinder, while the direct injection system enables far more efficient combustion. Peak power and torque rating of the engine is a remarkable 164.5PS and 383 N-m respectively, which propel the SUV with gracious aplomb across varied terrain.
* Mated with a slick 5-speed manual gear box which has undergone precise fine tuning with superior shift feel and gear ratios matched for more effective use of power and better fuel economy.
* The new Montero employs the Super Select (SS4-II) four-wheel driveline, which offers four drive modes that deliver optimum traction for reassuring stability and outstanding handling characteristics over all surfaces. SS4-II allows the driver to lock the centre differential for maximum drive torque over poor surfaces or he can allow the viscous coupling type centre differential to automatically tailor its basic 33:67 F-R torque split to suit different surfaces and conditions.
* Refining improvements have been made to Mitsubishi’s acclaimed ASTC (Active Stability and Traction Control) system that regulates brake force and drive torque on an individual wheel basis to deliver outstanding handling and vehicle stability as well as go-anywhere all-terrain capability.
Exteriors:
* The new Montero retains its trademark design taste with styling cued by powerful straight lines that clearly hint at its off-road performance capabilities and identify it as an all-round SUV. The front visage takes the eyes of a wildcat and is further distinguished by headlights with swept up undersides for better obstacle avoidance.
* The large door mirrors house an indicator repeater and approach lamps that light up the area around the front doors at night. The new design mirror also feature a deflector on the underside of the housing that helps to keep rain flowing round onto the door window.
* The new Montero retains the tailgate backpack-style spare tire garnish that allows the driver to readily check the condition of the tire. Housing the license plate and rear fog lamps the garnish is centrally located to make the rear combination lamps more clearly visible to following drivers. The spare tire mounting has been moved down to lower the centre of gravity and to improve rear-view visibility.
Interiors:
* The Montero has an elegant and refined beige interior colour scheme, while a sportier black scheme is also available with select colour grades.
* The dashboard is composed of clean lines with a powerfully shaped cross section. The instrumentation layout is clearly zoned by function, with the Center Information Display that shows vehicle operating status information at the top, the audio control panel below that and the climate control panel at the bottom. Frequently used controls have been made larger for better visual location and to facilitate more accurate operation.
* Cockpit complete with elegantly leather wrapped steering that houses audio and cruise control functions and with beautifully lit meter cluster providing all vital driver inputs.
Reliability and durability:
* The new Montero is equipped with independent double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension configuration. Improvements to spring, shock absorber, stabilizers and rubber bushing characteristics have improved cornering stability as well as making for a flatter and more comfortable ride.
* The new Montero uses larger 17-inch disc brakes with 4-pot opposing callipers supported with ABS and EBD that delivers better stopping power and higher resistance to fade.
* Montero’s built-in frame monocoque body features further improvements in reliability and durability. Measures taken to boost body stiffness include more spot welds, a stiffer cowl top, switching from 270 MPa grade to 440 MPa grade high tensile strength steel, and the strategic use of structural adhesives.
* Use of aluminium has lowered the weight of the engine hood by approximately 9 kg. As well as reducing the body weight and improving the front/rear weight distribution, this also makes opening and closing the hood a much easier task.
Crashworthiness:
* The new Montero employs the following safety measures to significantly reduce occupant injury in an event of crash: Dual-stage SRS airbags for driver and front passenger, new design front seatbelts with pre-tensioned and force limiter that provide more secure and kinder location, and side-impact and curtain airbags.
* Montero provides the equivalent of a maximum six-star JNCAP safety rating in-house testing after the introduction of measures designed to increase the absorption of impact energy and mitigate occupant injuries. These measures cover the rearward displacement of the powertrain, as well as the construction of the steering column and the brake pedal.
Entertainment / Utility:
* Located at the top and in the middle of the dashboard is the Center Information Display that presents fuel economy, speed and other vehicle operating status information, as well as current altitude, atmospheric pressure and exterior temperature. The display also shows in-car entertainment system status, a clock, and a calendar.
* Third row of seats that fold away under the floor when not required, a feature, which proved popular on the previous Montero. The head restraints also stow neatly under the floor.
* The new Montero sports a new Rockford Acoustic Design Premium Sound System comprising an 860 Watt amplifier, 12 speakers, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a 5.1 channel theatre surround system that creates a soundstage with soulful heavy bass and a high acoustic energy flow.
source: Hindustan Motors