| New transmission | Mitsubishi Outlander SST |
The Mitsubishi Outlander will be available with a twin-clutch gearbox from the start of 2009. Using the same technology already seen in the
Evo X saloon, the Sports Shift Transmission (SST) in the Outlander will give it super-quick gear changes.
The SST gearbox suffers none of the power losses experienced with traditional automatic transmissions as it's a manual gearbox with electro-hydraulically operated clutches. Two clutches allows the gearbox to have the next gear pre-selected to engage more quickly than a standard sequential 'box.
Mitsubishi says the Outlander will be the world's first SUV to have a twin-clutch gearbox. The company also claims the new gearbox will help reduce emissions and improve economy.
A Sport mode and Hill Start Assist function will be standard features of the new transmission. The SST gearbox will be coupled to the 2.2 Di-D turbodiesel engine and Mitsubishi will announced UK prices after the car makes it debut at the
Paris Motor Show in October.
Alisdair Suttie - 1 Apr 2008