UPDATE 2: 2015 Strada has officially launched! (3/20).
UPDATE 1: Here is the official Philippine brochure. (3/7).
This year certainly is shaping up to be a pickup year. Nissan released the first salvo just a few weeks back with the launch of the all-new NP300 Navara. Now Mitsubishi is following suit with their highly-anticipated all-new 2015 Strada. A huge delegation of motoring press flew all the way to Japan to sample this all-new pickup truck late last year and was sworn to secrecy not to spill its secrets. That is, until today.
With the embargo officially lifted, here are nine things you’d like to know about Mitsubishi’s all-new pickup truck straight from Mr. Koichi Namiki, Corporate General Manager, Global Pickup Project Promotion Office who flew all the way to the Philippines to debrief the motoring media
- You want a big truck? The all-new Mitsubishi Strada is not for you. Conceived as global model, the Strada takes on a very different approach compared to its rivals. Instead of growing in every conceivable dimension, the Strada manages to keep a compact profile. As Mr. Namiki says, it’s been trimmed of all excess girth and mass. This is because Mitsubishi wants to emphasize maneuverability and comfort even in tight confines. Still, it’s got a higher ground clearance than before at 205-mm.
- It’s designed to be a Sport Utility Truck. The term “Sport Utility Truck” was coined to describe the previous-generation Strada, but the all-new model takes it to the next level by actually becoming more of a SUV with a pickup bed attached to it. With key features such as the J-Line design, the Strada emphasizes interior space over cargo carrying capacity. And who could blame them? It seems the global market finally wants a pickup that’s both comfortable yet more efficient to use. Talk about being two vehicles in one.
- Small on the outside, massive in the inside. Careful consideration has been done to make the Strada much roomier than before. The added 20-mm interior length adds 20-mm in rear legroom and 10-mm in front shoulder room. In fact, Mitsubishi goes so far to say that the all-new Strada has the longest cabin in its class; longer than Ranger, D-Max, and Colorado. It’s probably just as long as the gargantuan NP300 Navara, though Mr. Namiki says they haven’t measured it yet to verify.
- It’s comfy and luxurious. Aside from offering the tightest turning radius in its class (5.9-meters), the all-new Strada brings luxury and convenience features to the pickup segment. Mr. Namiki says it’s the quietest pickup in the segment, beating out the likes of the Hilux, Ranger, and Navara in terms of interior decibel readings taken at a steady 100 km/h. This is thanks to increased sound insulating material used throughout the cabin. And aside from being quiet, it’s got the best rear seat in its class with a very comfortable 25-degree angle. No other pickup truck matches this figure. Plus, LED daytime running lights? HID headlights? tilt-telescopic steering? Dual-zone climate control? Push-button engine start/stop? All available features on the Strada.
- A softer ride without compromising payload. Given the dual nature of the all-new Strada, Mitsubishi engineers worked hard to make the ride much more compliant for passengers. By increasing the front stabilizer diameter while increasing the length of the rear leaf spring, the Strada exhibits better ride while still maintaining its 1-ton payload capacity. The cabin mounting capacity has also been increased to isolate NVH better.
- Tested to the extreme and built for them. Being a global pickup truck, the Strada has been torture tested around the world. In fact, it’s taken some valuable lessons from the harshest environments to improve passenger comfort. For instance, the air conditioning system has been improved to cool the cabin from 50-degrees Celsius to 20-degrees Celsius a whopping 62 percent faster than the outgoing model. It also blows more air volume to the occupants compared to any of its rivals. Beyond cooling comfort, it also has reinforcements around the front and rear portions of the chassis enabling it to withstand the harshest driving conditions. Careful placements of cross members mean less chassis flex without adding too much weight.
- The engine’s made better but, they’re working on bringing in clean diesel. In terms of drivetrain, the all-new Strada keeps to its tried-and-tested 2.5-liter 4D56 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with variable geometry turbo. Final specifications have yet to be revealed, but there’s some work done in order to give a slight bump in torque figures compared to before: 400 Nm from 350 Nm. Horsepower figures remains at 178 horsepower. And if you’re wondering about the famed 4N15 engine, yes, Mitsubishi will bring it here once the fuels are up to scratch.
- Mitsubishi Motor Philippines is aiming for record numbers. The pickup wars have certainly begun. After Nissan claimed it will shift some 300-400 units of NP300 Navara, Mitsubishi says the all-new Strada will sell at a rate almost double that: 700 units per month. If you’re wondering, the current market leader, Ranger does about 500 units. 50 percent of sales will come from Metro Manila, with the remaining 50 percent split across the country.
- Seven variants to be launched in March. There will be a total of seven variants of Strada available immediately at launch. These include one single cab, three double cab 4x2s, and three double cab 4x4s. Pre-selling starts in late February while a full-fledged launch will commence in March. Final prices will be announced by then.
10. It looks really ugly.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteIt just doesn't look right. Features-wise this and the Navara are both up there, but the latter looks better. I'm sure the Strada will be more comfortable than the other, but it will feel less sound (basing on both outgoing models). Lastly, 700 a month is just too optimistic, bordering on delusional.
ReplyDeleteMy current Strada is a 7 year slave-for-me. But this time I don't like the new model with an old 4D56 mill.
ReplyDeleteSad to say Mitsu-3 diamonds is just dreaming of 700 units per mo. sales, are you kidding?
In photos & features, NP300 outclassed this fugly Strada.
Advantages of NP300--7 speed AT, Power--high HP/Torque, Zero gravity seats, multi-links rear suspension yet can carry heavier loads, wider bed, 18" alloy wheels, what else--
Then ofcourse the upcoming facelifted Ranger which has the SYNC2 with MyFord Touch, HID headlights with DRL, upgraded 6 speed auto and manual transmissions, and upgraded 2.2 and 3.2 diesel engines which will be launched soon along with the new Everest.
DeleteAs Toti Zara of Nissan PH said, let the pick up wars begin!
Last year March 2014, a new White Ranger in a week time succumb to SCV failure. Ask FORD?
DeleteReading the forums, Ranger having it's turbroke--turbo broken down at early mileage??? Anyway it's your hard-earned MONEY at stakes
Front face ang sumira sa strada. Maganda pa man din ang surface contrast sa sides at hood niya.
ReplyDeleteFace it everyone, we are in the Philippines where we have a herd mentality and everyone behaves like sheep. We forget about using our own brain to decide which is better as long as it has a tried and tested emblem from the likes of Toyota and Mitsu and since Uncle Boy and Ate Baby also owns one edi yun na rin bibilhin. 50 million people can't go wrong buying that so I'll take the same thing.
ReplyDeleteMazda BT50 has more features than Strada...
ReplyDeleteWhy should a pickup look pretty anyway? Get a car instead.
ReplyDeleteMore people will buy your product if it looks good.
Deletethat's the problem with people nowadays, its no longer the purpose but the looks,,that's why most people succumb to their own wrong choice.
DeleteTo attract more customers.
ReplyDeletesa akin, ayaw ko lang ng porma sa likod na pahugis bilog na parang pabagsak ang dating, di tulad ng nissan navarra na parang makisig husky ang dating...:-P
ReplyDeleteYehey! another comfi pick-up coming, so satisfied with my present Strada, can't wait to have it traded-in for this one. thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteang pangit...
ReplyDeleteagree. in terms of looks, i prefer the previous model. parang nawala tuloy yung "macho-stylish" appeal ng strada...
Deletei prefer the previous model. parang nawala kase yung "macho-stylish" appeal ng strada with this one. at mitsu dealers, people are reserving 2014 model after seeing the 2015 one..
ReplyDeleteThis new strada is a step back in terms of design. Yung previous strada pag release nung time niya, groundbreaking ang design. Itong bago, mukhang alien na ewan.
Deletefunny coz it's kinda true
DeleteBest strada could be the 2014 MODEL primarily because it's the last entry before this horrible new 2015 design! For the 2014 model, most if not all of the supposed bugs were expected to have been fixed already. I'm a huge Mitsu fan but obviously, the designers of this 2015 release did not get it right this time..
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, mas mukhang bagong labas pa yung previous strada
ReplyDeleteHey Mitsubishi ... Can you just name this pick-up as TRITON here in the Phils. Para naman hindi masira ang STRADA name sa itsura ng bagong pick-up nyo. TIA.
ReplyDeleteThe new monterosport would look bad with that front. :(
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
Deletei hope the paint job have improve on the under body, the paint is so thin that some parts of the chassis and other like the front shield have rust already.......
ReplyDeleteGrabe sobrang sakit sa mata to read white on black.
ReplyDeleteMitsu ceo has to get back with his design team who with this kind of output sucks!!!
ReplyDeleteford is from mazda and not reliable from lasting of engine on what i had experience with B2200 before. For engine 4D56 is tested as well as isuzu engine is known to last longer on the road. history counts more!
ReplyDeleteNissan is OK but spare parts OMG at high price. and the previous NAVARRA model there is lot of BAD feedback
ReplyDeleteAndaming nag sasabi ng panget daw.. pero pag dating nyan at maraming bumibili.. bibili rin yan.. :p
ReplyDeletenapansin ko lang parang lumalabo yung mata ko pag nag babasa ako with white font at saka black background... or ako lang yung nakaka pansin... :(
ReplyDeletePangit talaga. I'm sure marami lalabas na after market mods for this.
ReplyDeleteBakit ganyan itsura? Someone' gonna lose his job for this crappy output. Mitsu aint foolin anyone
ReplyDeleteFunny looking pick up truck :) Previous on
ReplyDeleteSagwa!
ReplyDeletethe face looks bad but all other aspects are nice.
ReplyDeletethe previous model is better
ReplyDeletethe grill reminds me of the cheshire cat in alice in wonderland. google it. not so macho..
ReplyDeleteProud to be 2015 Strada Owner!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratz.. Enjoy your new Toy and drive safely po..
DeleteC'mon Mitsu!!! WTF is going on in with your design team??? Seriously, it needs some facelift NOW!!! First, fire whoever designed this, second recall, yes, RECALL the fugly units and change the front end. Lose money now than lose the entire 6-8year sales period. I for one ain't going to buy one and 100% agree with the above comments, this is an absolute epic fail for the new Strada!!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Recall kagad...
Deleteang ganda kaya.
ReplyDeleteThis truck looks like Gloria Arroyo
ReplyDeletefakr......pabili na ko next week tapos nabasa ko ito kaya ........... MAG-FOTON NA LANG AKO, DONG!!! AT LEAST, KAMUKHA NUN SI HEPA-NOY!
DeleteChange mo ang rims at lagyan mo ng rollbar...baka sabihin mo eh d wow...strada is the best ever👌👍☝✌
ReplyDelete