XFORCE of Nature
Our world, according to science, is basically created and made up of four fundamental forces of nature–strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, electromagnetic force and gravity.
Hence, engineers from Mitsubishi Motors headquarters in Japan understood this when they came up with their newest offering in the market–the Mitsubishi XFORCE.
When the Japanese carmaker brought this vehicle here in our own turf for an immersion activity with the local motoring media a.k.a. “media drive” just recently, we were surprised, or worse, overwhelmed by what we were able to experience first-hand during the three-day drive prior to its official launch this July.
Here, we weren’t asking for the moon. But with the newest XFORCE, Mitsubishi gave it to us–wholeheartedly. Even without the blink of an eye. It may well probably be the smartest, most refined and efficient model to come out rolling out from the brand’s stable.
Spunky exterior
First, yes, we get it. Filipinos are aesthetic beings. We’re all for the eye-candy and all of that stuff. That’s why carmakers keep on beautifying their products left and right, year in and year out. In turn, we love them for it.
The XFORCE, no doubt, is one beautiful specimen. It’s an epitome of what a compact crossover should look like–petite, funky and sexy.
This critter, first of all, starts with its iconic Dynamic Shield concept on its front fascia, accentuated by its three-diamond logo. It’s then paired with LED lights and daytime running lights, complemented by its robust yet curvaceous side profile, highlighted by its fenders, hence, depicting an athletic and dynamic character. From the front, all these spill over to its rear with its likewise spirited design layout. This panache is then capped by 18-inch nifty wheels, standard for both its GLS and GT variants, and a high-ground clearance of 193mm, the best in its class.
Xpander-inspired premium interior layout
The Xpander probably is Mitsubishi’s most successful model to date. And it’s a good thing to pattern some of its good qualities to an up and coming vehicle model, such as the XFORCE. From its black interiors, to design cues and accents, most of them resemble the former. What the XFORCE then ups the ante is the crossover’s more upscale vibe. This is coupled with a nanoe-x air filtration system and of course, the Yamaha premium sound system.
Space-wise, the vehicle offers sufficient head and legroom at the front and at the back. While, for cargo, it can give as much as 62 inches in length when the second-row seats are folded down.
Xpander-inspired ride and performance
Like the Xpander, this XFORCE is as smooth as a cat in terms of riding comfort. The former is deemed to be one of the comfiest in its segment. NVH levels are truly top-notch. Perhaps, the same goes with the latter, only beefier and more complex. Both share the same suspension setup–Macphersons at the front and torsion beam at the back. Likewise, both share the same 4A91 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 104hp and 141N-m of torque, only the XFORCE comes with a CVT for better control and maneuvering.
What sets it apart from the rest
What makes the XFORCE such a freak force of nature is not its exquisite design nor its riding performance–but the technology and information it provides. For one, it has drive modes that come from its Active Yaw Control that no other compact crossover from its segment can offer. In fact, here, we were able to try these various modes during the recent media drive.
Organizers allowed us to test the Normal, Wet, Gravel and Mud modes of the vehicle at the course laid out at the Tarlac Circuit Hill in Pampanga. There were four sectors around the course–the dry and wet sections, the gravel part and the mud stretch. All of which the XFORCE passed with flying colors.
Next, engineers of the vehicle truly understood how physics behaves. And here, driver behavior can carefully likewise be monitored. Similar to the concept of aircraft avionics, the car can monitor throttle inputs, brake pedal pressure and the amount of fuel that goes to the cylinders coming from the injectors.
This is then graded by the system measuring the smoothness of the driver’s braking, acceleration and steering to eventually become the ‘Overall Driver’s Score’ by the end of his seating time behind the wheel. Numbers then are reflected on the screen monitor display of the vehicle.
Personally, this is the first time this writer has ever come across this kind of technology, indeed making this unprecedented. This also comes along with a G-meter monitor, together with longitude and latitude of one’s location akin to that of the Pajero’s.
This Mitsubishi XFORCE comes in two variants, the GLS and the GT; and priced respectively at P1.367 million and P1.581 million.
