- Responsive and refined 3.5-litre V6 engine
- Intuitive five-speed automatic transmission
- Impressive ride/handling balance
- AWD Verada has engaging dynamics
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- Well-weighted, accurate steering
- Steering wheel lacks reach adjustment
- For AWD Veradas, driveline vibration during acceleration
- Large turning circle
- Loud exhaust note for Verada GTVi
Overview
Released in June 2003, the Mitsubishi KL Verada was available as a sedan or wagon. Manufactured at Clovelly Park, South Australia, the front- and all-wheel drive KL Veradas were powered by 3.5-litre V6 petrol engines that were mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Verada range consisted of four variants: Ei, Xi, GTVi and AWD; of these, the Ei was available as a sedan or wagon, while the others were solely available as sedans.
6G74 engine
The 3.5-litre 6G74 V6 petrol engine had a cast iron block, alloy cylinder head, single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.
Dimensions and KJ comparison
Based on the TL Magna , the KL Verada sedan was 4860 mm long, 1785 mm wide, 1435 mm tall and had a 2722 mm long wheelbase. Relative to the sedan, the wagon body was 14 mm shorter (at 4846 mm) and 62 mm taller (1497 mm).
Compared to its KJ Verada predecessor, the KL Verada could be identified by its divided grille with Mitsubishi logo, triangular headlight assemblies (with black background for the GTVi and chrome background for the Ei and Xi), new bumpers, boot lid and rear garnishes. Inside, there was an updated instrument binnacle and new interior trim fabrics and materials; re-shaped front seats also increased rear legroom.
The KL Verada also had a stronger structure due to thicker panels, increased use of high strength steel, an additional side intrusion bar in the front doors and a steel panel behind the rear seats. Steering rack revisions, spring and damper rate changes and, for sedans, rear stabiliser bars were also introduced to improve handling.
Suspension
The KL Verada sedan had MacPherson strut front suspension with lower A-arms and an anti-roll bar and independent, multi-link rear suspension with upper and lower control arms. The KL Verada wagon, however, had a tubular rear axle with four trailing arms and a lateral locating rod.
| Body | Variant | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan, wagon |
Ei | 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 155 kW at 5250 rpm | 316 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Sedan | Xi | 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 155 kW at 5250 rpm | 316 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| GTVi | 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 163 kW at 5200 rpm | 317 Nm at 4500 rpm | |
| AWD | 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 5sp auto | 154 kW at 5000 rpm | 310 Nm at 4000 rpm |
QuadTec AWD system
Derived from the Japanese AWD Diamante and Lancer Evolution VI, the full-time four-wheel drive system featured an open front differential, a viscous coupling centre differential and a mechanical plate-type limited slip rear differential. The system provided a default 50:50 front/rear torque split, but could transfer torque between the front and rear axles and between the rear wheels in the event that traction was lost.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the KL Verada included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The front-wheel drive models were also equipped with traction control and Mitsubishi’s ‘Trace Control Logic’. While traction control (Mitsubishi’s ‘Slip Control’ reduced engine power to reduce front wheelspin under acceleration, Trace Control would reduce power if the inputs indicated that the driver was driving too quickly or aggressively through a corner. However, the Trace Control system relied on inputs from steering wheel angle, throttle position and wheel speed rather than lateral or longitudinal sensors.
Brakes
he standard braking package for the KL Verada consisted of 276 mm ventilated front brake discs and 258 mm solid rear discs (both with single piston calipers). The AWD models, however, were fitted with 294 mm ventilated front discs with two-piston calipers and 284 mm ventilated rear discs with single-piston calipers.
ANCAP crash testing
In ANCAP crash testing, the TL Magna received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 22.19 – this result was also applied to the KL Verada. In the offset crash test, protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact test, protection from serious chest injury was also marginal for the driver, despite the side airbag deploying.
Features: Verada Ei, AWD, GTVi and Xi
Standard features for the Verada Ei included 16-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 95H Bridgestone Turanza tyres, a ten speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, a ten-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a power antenna, an electrochromatic rear view and door mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. The AWD variant was similarly equipped, but had 15-spoke alloy wheels and a chrome gearshift surround.
Compared to the Ei, the Verada GTVi added 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels with 225/50 R17 Bridgestone Grid II tyres, leather seats and sports suspension.
Compared to the Ei, the Verada Xi added 16-inch fifteen-spoke alloy wheels, leather seats, an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat, steering wheel audio controls and power sunroof.
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