Mitsubishi Grandis, an SUV with Spanish DNA and an eight-year warranty
A few weeks ago, Mitsubishi launched the new Outlander, its flagship. But it also continues to add cars to its portfolio based on models from Renault, with which it is allied. This is by no means a bad strategy. The French brand's cars are proving highly popular in the market, to which the Japanese brand adds its own touches. For example, in the case of the Grandis (a Symbioz clone), an eight-year or 160,000-km warranty is offered, whichever comes first.
The name will be familiar to enthusiasts: Grandis was the name of the large minivan Mitsubishi sold in Europe at the beginning of this century. Now it's back as a C-segment SUV, the largest on the continent, soon to be joined by the new Eclipse Cross, which will be electric only.
Made in Spain, designed for EuropeThe car will begin production in the fourth quarter at Renault's factory in Valladolid, so it won't reach customers until 2026. It is aimed primarily at young families looking for a versatile vehicle who find the current ASX too small. It is built on the CMF-B platform of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance and is 4.41 meters long and 1.58 meters high.
Stylistically, the differences with the Symbioz lie in the logos, the front end (which is where the most significant changes occur), and the wheels, which can be 18 or 19 inches. The interior is practically the same, with a single screen for the instrumentation (either a seven-inch electronic or a ten-inch digital one) and a vertical, 10.4-inch, digital screen for the multimedia and navigation systems. It's worth noting that the car comes with Google built-in, which means it has features like Google Maps, Google Play, and the Google Assistant.
Given its target audience, the cabin is quite spacious and features 16 cm sliding rear seats. This increases the trunk capacity (which can be equipped with an electric tailgate) to 492 liters. The large electrochromatic glass roof and the premium Harman Kardon sound system, with 10 channels and 410 W of power, are details that we will find depending on the trim level chosen, among the three available: Motion, Kaiteki, and Kaiteki+.
The engine range only includes electrified options with an ECO label. There's a 140-hp version with a micro-hybrid (MHEV) system and a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; and a 160-hp fully hybrid (HEV) version, which combines a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated engine with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery. This second model is capable of driving in electric mode up to 80% of the time in the city and reaching 70 km/h without activating the combustion engine.
The HEV system has different operating modes. These include 100% electric, a B mode with greater energy retention and recovery, and another that allows the battery capacity to always be above 40%. Added to this are four driving programs, one of which is customizable.
Up to 20 driver assistance systems, powered by a comprehensive system of 12 sensors, four cameras, and a front radar, make up the safety equipment. These include the MI-PILOT system with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, peripheral vision, rear emergency braking, parking assistance, and cross-traffic alert. This is complemented by a reinforced structure, multiple airbags, and specific pedestrian protection.
elmundo
