Mitsubishi 380 dual-fuel

Mitsubishi has updated its 380 model, with an LPG dual-fuel engine among the changes. As well as some exterior and interior enhancements, the new Series III version of the 380 is available with a factory-endorsed LPG-compatible engine for an extra $4050.

It comes with a full warranty and is available on all automatic versions of the 380 range. Mitsubishi president and CEO Robert McEniry says the previous engine was LPG-adaptable but didn't have the full backing from the company.

He says the new dual-fuel system has a “very minimum effect on peak engine performance”, but it does have a small reduction in peak torque.

The combined claimed fuel consumption sits at 15.9 litres per 100km, compared with petrol figures of 10.9 litres per 100km.

All models now get traction control as standard, and it is included on the base ES model.

Other changes include restyled front bumpers, rear spoilers, alloy wheels and paint treatments, as well as new seat trims, surface finishes and upgraded equipment levels across the four-variant model line-up.

But the changes come at an extra cost for the base model.

The entry-level ES version adds $1000 to the previous price, now starting at $28,990 for the five-speed manual and $30,990 for the five-speed automatic, but it does include extra equipment such as a new sports front bumper, traction control, fog lamps and alloy wheels.

The SX model is now only available with an automatic transmission for $34,990. The VRX maintains its $36,990 price for the manual and $38,990 for the automatic. The GT also keeps the same price of $44,990.

Two special editions of the Series III 380 are also available in limited numbers, with an ES Sports adding upgraded suspension and a sunroof at no extra price.

The 380 Fusion Burst is the other special-edition model, featuring a limited-edition orange paint job, sunroof and coloured seat inserts.

A new rear wing is also a notable change for the sporty VRX model.

The Series III 380 is on sale from July 29 and a facelifted 380 is planned for next year. Mitsubishi sold 877 of the 380s last month, with sales down 18.2 per cent for the year to date.

But McEniry says this drop was expected after the launch of competitors' cars last year.

So far, 5518 of the 380s have been sold this year, compared with 6745 last year, but McEniry assures they will continue to run at the same production rates of 50 cars a day.

Mitsubishi has also added an automatic version to its Triton diesel range, but only in the four-wheel-drive versions. It's available in the single- and double-cab body styles and starts at $35,690, stretching to $51,990 for the range-topping GLS Double Cab. The four-speed auto is mated to the 3.2-litre turbo diesel engine. Mitsubishi is expecting an extra 150 to 200 sales a month with the addition of the automatic diesel, which also goes on sale at the end of this month.

The Triton 4x4 experienced a 10.5 per cent growth last month with 1481 vehicles sold, the best month on record for the model.

Performance figures for the new diesel auto remain unchanged, with 118kW at 3800rpm and 347Nm at 2000rpm. Fuel economy comes in with a combined claimed figure of 9.9 litres per 100km.

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