2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

All-New Safety Enhancements, Athletic Good Looks And True Off-Road Capability Make For One Great SUV

The rugged Montero Sport continues to attract a loyal following of buyers who desire a real off-road machine and not just a station wagon with big tires. Like its big brother, the Montero luxury SUV, the Montero Sport boasts true 4x4 capabilities with globally proven durability. For the 2001 model year, all Montero Sport models will be available with 4WD, including the entry level ES.

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport features improvements which benefit the occupants and the environment. All-new structural enhancements are designed to help deflect the force of an offset crash away from the vehicle's occupants. Also added are a driver's seat belt pretensioner and a rear Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety seat system. Environmental friendliness is a result of Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) exhaust levels in all 50-states along with an on-board fuel vapor recovery system.

The Montero Sport was significantly updated and restyled last year with numerous interior and exterior revisions to maintain its rugged looks and improve on-road drivability.

Every Montero Sport is powered by a V6 engine, providing owners with the power to tackle any adventure. ES, LS and XLS models have a 165-horsepower 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 engine. The Montero Sport Limited receives the 1 97-horsepower, 3.5-liter SOHC 24-valve Vó, similar to the one found in Mitsubishi's larger Montero luxury sport utility vehicle. An anti-theft engine immobilizer ignition system is standard on all trim levels.

Montero Sport's smooth ride is enhanced by a three-link rear coil spring suspension, providing comfort and stability on or off the road, while a limited slip differential - for both 2WD and 4WD - is standard on Limited and available on XLS.

2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Overview

Montero Sport models feature a 4-speed automatic transmission with Mitsubishi's Adaptive Shift Control system to improve shift quality and be more responsive to driving conditions. The system factors in accelerator position, vehicle speed, brake application and road conditions to select the appropriate gear.

The Montero Sport meets the wide variety of today's sport utility vehicle owner's needs, while maintaining its reputation as a top value in its class. Several different models allow buyers to choose the Montero Sport that best fits their lifestyles.

• Montero Sport ES

Now available for the first time in 4WD, the Montero Sport ES offers a great deal of utility and refinement at an affordable price - perfect for young, on-the-go families. With its 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 engine, smooth shifting automatic transmission and 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, Montero Sport ES is ready for most any adventure.

The Montero Sport ES has a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, AM/FM/CD stereo with 4 speakers, rear wiper and washer, plus full-cloth seating surfaces with matching door trim, an overhead console with digital clock, map lights, and compartments for sunglasses, garage door opener and security access cards.

The large cargo area features tie-down hooks and a 12-volt accessory outlet for accessories. The rear seat of Montero Sport ES not only folds completely for additional cargo capacity, it also reclines for passenger comfort.

• Montero Sport LS

For 2001, the popular Montero Sport LS includes the standard features most valued by families. Yet, even with a long list of thoughtful conveniences, Montero Sport LS - available in both 2WD and 4WD models - offers exceptional value.

2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sports Technical Highlights

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is offered in a wide range of trim levels: ES, LS, XLS and Limited, each available for the first time with 2WD or 4WD. Two powerplants are available and offer the power for competent off-road trekking with the refinement for day to day on-road driving, all while meeting Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards.

• 3 0-liter V6 (Engine 6G72)

Montero Sport ES, LS and XLS feature a 24-valve, 3.0-liter single overhead camshaft (SOHC) V6 that is rated at 165 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and 1 B6 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The 3.0-liter V6 incorporates a cast iron block with aluminum alloy cylinder heads for durability and weight reduction. A sequential multi-point fuel injection and a distributor-less 3-coil microprocessor-controlled ignition system with knock sensor allows the engine's computer to fine-tune performance according to fuel grade and immediate driving demands.

• 3.5 liter V6 (Engine 6G74)

Montero Sport Limited utilizes a 3.5-liter, SOHC 24-valve V6 engine that produces 197 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and 223 lbs-ft of torque at 3,500 RPM.

The V6 blocks are reinforced with a full-web girdle that supports the crankshaft and reduces vibration. A structural aluminum oil pan insulates against engine noise, strengthens the lower portion of the cylinder block and also provides a more stable foundation for attaching the transmission.

2001 Montero Sport Technical

Long port intake runners improve the V6 engine's low-speed torque and responsiveness. The expanded intake runners allow incoming air to build up speed and rush into the cylinders during the intake stroke. The cooling fan also reduces drag on the engine and provides much quieter operation. A self-diagnosing alternator alerts the driver to a malfunction long before vehicle performance is affected. Montero Sport V6's are also equipped with a dual-mass crankshaft pulley damper that helps quiet and smooth the engine.

Transmission

• 4-Speed Automatic Transmission

Standard on all Montero Sport models is a 4-speed automatic transmission with the Mitsubishi adaptive shift control system. This transmission controls its shift pattern to match road conditions and the driver's style. The adaptive shift control improves shift quality by factoring accelerator position, vehicle speed, brake application and road conditions to select the appropriate gear. The transmission also has a 7-position lever that eliminates a separate overdrive switch, allowing the driver to select the gear of choice in a single action.

Montero Sport's automatic transmission also features a winter safety mode, engaged by a switch on the dashboard. The winter safety mode locks out first gear from a standing start and allows the vehicle pull away in second gear. The result is much slower and gentler acceleration for driving on snow-covered or icy roads.

• 4-Wheel Drive System

The Montero Sport 4-wheel drive system can be shifted while the vehicle is in motion with free-wheel front hubs and a 2-speed transfer case that are all engaged by a console-mounted lever.

All Montero Sport models are equipped with engine and fuel tank skid plates, and 4WD models have a transfer case skid plate. Front and rear tow hooks are also fitted to all Montero Sports.

• Limited Slip Differential Montero

Sport features a limited slip rear differential for both the 2WD and 4WD models. This viscous coupling limited slip differential is available as part of the premium package of the XLS and is standard on the Limited.

Chassis

• Suspension

The independent front suspension has unequal-length double A-arms and long torsion bars that reach well under the passenger compartment. By providing extra-long independent suspension travel, the tires are free to individually climb over rocks and ruts without compromising control or stability. Front and rear stabilizer bars keep the body steady when the vehicle is cornering.

In the rear, the Montero Sport incorporates a 3-link coil-spring suspension that provides a smooth ride. Isolating the suspension from the frame, and the frame from the body, are special bushings and mounting brackets that allow the tires to react to rough pavement without transmitting road shock and noise to the cabin. The bushings are engineered to provide soft vertical and rearward compliance for an easy ride, while also offering firm lateral resistance for outstanding stability and directional control. The long wheelbase, as well as carefully tuned shock absorbers and spring rates, also help to reduce the choppy ride that afflicts many sport utility vehicles.

Steering for all models is provided by a power-assisted recirculating ball system that is specially designed to cope with the rigors of off-highway driving, rough roads, and high-profile, deep tread tires.

• Brakes

Montero Sport two-wheel drive models have front ventilated disc and rear drum brakes (with ABS on Limited). Montero Sport four-wheel drive models feature front ventilated and solid disc rear brakes with a 4-sensor, 3-channel Multi-Mode™ anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Refinement

The Montero Sport body is assembled with single piece stampings for the side structure, eliminating unnecessary gaps and welds and improving door sealing, weather protection and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). A one-piece stamping is also used for the vehicles front structure, providing a more solid and precise foundation for the hood, bumper and headlamp assembles. The one-piece stampings ensure exceptionally tight and even body panels.

Beneath the floor are lateral braces placed under the passenger compartment crossmembers under the rear seat and additional supports under the cargo compartment. These reinforcements provide added measures of strength and rigidity to the body, over and above the massive foundation of the ladder frame. The one-piece stamping techniques combine with the bracing in the cabin's floor to provide an extremely solid body structure.

To achieve Montero Sport's low interior noise and vibration levels, Mitsubishi Motors engineers employed a wide range of insulating and noise reducing techniques. The entire floor, front wheel housings and inner firewall are covered with a heat-treated noise reducing melting sheet insulation, with the rear wheel housings and upper dashboard mounting surface covered with their own unique vibration and sound insulating material.

The dashboard is attached to the vehicle with large damping pads that keep it from chaffing against the body structure. Even the floor carpeting and cargo compartment are specially lined and insulated to reduce road noise. Under the hood, the engine inhales through a large capacity air cleaner that is attached to the vehicle with double-layer anti-vibration damping material. Combined with the large capacity muffler, the engine is luxury car quiet. SAFETY

Numerous enhancements have been made to the Montero Sport in the area of safety. Mitsubishi engineers have placed an emphasis on collision avoidance and on occupant protection in the event a collision does occur.

[ Back ]