Review: Mitsubishi KW Verada (2004-05)

Overview

Released in October 2004, the Mitsubishi KW Verada was available as a sedan or wagon. Manufactured at Clovelly Park, South Australia, the KW Verada was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The Verada range consisted of the Ei, Xi and GTVi AWD variants; of these, the Ei was the only variant available as a wagon.

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. Furthermore, the KL Verada was available with front- and all-wheel drive (see ‘QuadTec AWD system’, below).

Dimensions and KL comparison

Based on the TW Magna , the KW 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 KL Verada predecessor, the KW Verada could be identified by its more pronounced bumpers, redesigned alloy wheels, colour-coded grilles and ‘Series II’ badges. The KW Veradas had an argent front grille with bright tips and border and a body-coloured lower grille; the GTVi AWD was distinguished by its darkened fog lamp surrounds and rear lamps.

Suspension

The KW 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 KW Verada wagon, however, had a tubular rear axle with four trailing arms and a lateral locating rod.

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 KW 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

The standard braking package for the KW Verada consisted of 276 mm ventilated front brake discs and 258 mm solid rear discs (both with single piston calipers). The GTVi AWD, however, was 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 KW 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, 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, steering wheel audio controls, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake lever, 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 Ei wagon added roof rails with cross bars and a cargo blind.

Compared to the Ei sedan, the Verada GTVi AWD added 16-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels with 225/50 R17 Bridgestone Grid II tyres and sports suspension, leather seats and a black embossed leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Compared to the Ei sedan, the Verada Xi added 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, leather seats, an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat and power sunroof.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mitsubishi TW Magna