- Responsive and refined 3.5-litre V6 engine
- Intuitive five-speed automatic transmission
- Impressive ride/handling balance
- AWD Magna has engaging dynamics
- Quiet, well-insulated cabin
- Well-weighted, accurate steering
- Standard driver’s seat is oddly shaped
- Steering wheel lacks reach adjustment
- For AWD Magnas, driveline vibration during acceleration
- Large turning circle
- Reports of exhaust drone; for sports variants, loud exhaust note
Overview
Released in October 2004, the Mitsubishi TW Magna was available as a sedan or wagon. Manufactured at Clovelly Park, Adelaide, the TW Magna was available with either 3.5-litre V6 petrol or dedicated LPG engines. The TW Magna range consisted of six variants: ES, LS, LS AWD, VR, VR-X and VR-X AWD; of these, the LS and VR were only available as wagons and the AWD variants were only available as sedans.
6G74 petrol and LPG engines
Both the petrol and LPG 3.5-litre 6G74 engines, however, had a cast iron block, single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. Furthermore, the TW Magna was available with front- and all-wheel drive (see ‘QuadTec AWD system’, below, for the latter).
The TW Magna was available with four- or five-speed automatic transmissions or a five-speed manual unit.
Dimensions
The TW Magna 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 TL Magna predecessor, the TW Magna could be identified by its body-coloured headlamp bezels, new licence plate garnish and ‘Series II’ badges. Inside, there was an updated instrument cluster and new seat trims.
Suspension
The TW Magna 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 TW Magna 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 | ES | 3.5-litre LPG V6 |
4sp auto | 143 kW at 5000 rpm | 296 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| 3.5-litre petrol V6 |
4sp auto, 5sp man. |
155 kW at 5250 rpm | 316 Nm at 4000 rpm | ||
| LS AWD | 3.5-litre petrol V6 |
5sp auto | 154 kW at 5000 rpm | 310 Nm at 4000 rpm | |
| VR-X | 3.5-litre petrol V6 |
5sp auto, 5sp man. |
163 kW at 5200 rpm | 317 Nm at 4500 rpm | |
| VR-X AWD | 3.5-litre petrol V6 |
5sp auto | 159 kW at 5500 rpm | 318 Nm at 4000 rpm | |
| Wagon | ES, LS |
3.5-litre petrol V6 |
4sp auto | 155 kW at 5250 rpm | 316 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| VR | 3.5-litre petrol V6 |
5sp auto | 163 kW at 5200 rpm | 317 Nm at 4500 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 TW Magna included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Furthermore, traction control (Mitsubishi’s ‘Slip Control’) and ‘Trace Control Logic’ were standard on all automatic models except the ES variant and AWD models. 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 TW Magna 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 TW Magna. 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: Magna FWD
Standard features for the Magna ES included a six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, power antenna, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. The Magna LS wagon added 15-inch six-spoke alloy wheels and an eight speaker sound system.
The Magna VR wagon was further equipped with 16-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 95H Bridgestone Turanza tyres, front fog lamps and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift.
The Magna VR-X was differentiated by its 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 225/50 R17 Bridgestone Grid II tyres, ten speaker sound system with six-stack CD player and body kit.
Features: Magna AWD
Compared to the Magna LS, the LS AWD featured 16-inch sparkling silver alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 Bridgestone Turanza tyres, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, map lamps and body-coloured mirrors and protective mouldings.
Compared to the VR-X, the MagnaVR-X AWD was fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 Bridgestone Grid II tyres.
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