JEDDAH, 20 September 2006 -- Mitsubishi's L200 Strada pickup and Galant 2007 were launched at a spectacular ceremony marked by a laser show at the Westin Jeddah on Monday night.
Alesayi Motors, the exclusive dealer of Mitsubishi cars in the Kingdom, unveiled the new models in the presence of Saeed Omar Alesayi, Bandar Saeed Omar Alesayi and a high-level delegation from the Japanese Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC).
"The new Strada pickup masterfully combines three important concepts in vehicle development -- an attractive style and body shape that emphasizes the vehicle's power, excellent stability to take drivers anywhere and a completely revolutionized design with a unique aerodynamic styling," Gayu Uisugi, a senior management executive at MMC, said in his presentation.
To create the new Strada pickup, Mitsubishi conducted extensive testing, collecting data both in the engineering labs of the company and on the courses of international rallies including Dakar Rally to produce a new car that has all superiority factors, he added. Such extensive tests resulted in new innovations like flowing bodylines to reduce aerodynamic drag and a wide selection of occupant safety and comfort improvements.
The tests and researches were the main base for producing the new Strada pickup through combining the functionality benefits of a traditional pickup with the comfort and driving performance benefits of a passenger car.
"The new Strada pickup is a complete rethinking of the entire pickup truck concept. After observing the steady evolution of trends, ranging from consumer purchasing decisions to the fierce competition among carmakers in adopting lightweight transportation technologies, MMC looked at every change in pickup design in the light of the new changes and adopted lots of innovations and equipped the new car with them," said Uisugi who heads corporate planning, product strategy, and environment and corporate affairs at the MMC group headquarters.
The exterior styling has a unique new intensity that emphasizes the merging of tough, rugged power with sporty stylishness. Breaking away from traditional pickup design that used hard, angular body shapes, the L200 has adopted an aerodynamic styling similar to that of the Dakar Rally-winning Pajero Evolution.
Its spacious interior comfort boasts a convenient instrument panel layout, seating arrangement and overall cabin space.
The Strada claims a high-powered driving performance with its 2.4-liter ECI-MULTI petrol or a 2.5-liter diesel engine. New for the 2007 Strada is the electronically controlled common rail direct injection. This advanced fuel system measures out precision, high-pressure sips to each cylinder, drawing out as much energy as possible from each cycle for maximum fuel efficiency and emission quality. It is available in 2WD and "Easy Select" 4WD models.
"Safety has always been a priority in Mitsubishi vehicles," Uisugi said, adding that the new Strada is no exception. All models utilize the exclusive reinforced impact safety evolution (RISE) body design and thick ladder-frame, which absorbs damage in the event of a collision.
By K.S. Ramkumar
© Arab News 2006
