A recent trademark filed for the Mitsubishi Diamond Trail Edition suggests the possibility of a more upscale and fancier off-road SUV in the Outlander family.
If you think that a real off-roading version of the Mitsubishi Outlander has been missing from the lineup, you’re not alone. Currently, the Mitsubishi brand doesn’t have an off-road SUV, but the new trademark filing could change that in the near future. While most drivers accept that Mitsubishi is a bargain brand, an off-road SUV could change the game and put the brand in competition with other off-road focused models.
The Mitsubishi Diamond Trail Edition begins in Canada
Mitsubishi just filed a Canadian trademark for a “Diamond Trail Edition” that could bring real off-road upgrades to the Outlander lineup. The filing shows a logo layering the new name over the existing Trail Edition’s mountain graphics, which has people wondering if this means actual capability improvements or just more luxury features. Given how the current Trail Edition is basically an appearance package with no mechanical upgrades, there’s hope this Diamond version might finally deliver on the rugged promise with things like revised suspension, higher ground clearance, and proper all-terrain tires. That would go a long way toward helping Mitsubishi reclaim the tough reputation it built with Dakar-winning Monteros and rally-bred Evos.
Mitsubishi was all about off-roaders in the past
The Mitsubishi Montero is famous for being a stellar performer during Dakar competitions, and the Evo models were made for incredible off-road rallies. Unfortunately, the current Mitsubishi lineup doesn’t have any real off-roading SUVs right now. Adding an Outlander suspension upgrade and all-terrain tires to make the Outlander stand up taller could be perfect for making the SUV ready to hit the trails. It’s certainly necessary for some Outlander Trail Edition upgrades to be offered in order to make this SUV much more capable on the trails, especially if the brand intends to reclaim some of its off-road racing dominance that was present with the Montero and Evo.
Could the Mitsubishi Diamon Trail Edition Outlander receive an upgraded powertrain?
The current Trail Edition model has the same powertrain as the base SE version of the Outlander. That’s a bit of a bummer considering this powertrain consists of a 1.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT. That isn’t what many off-road enthusiasts like to see in their adventure-focused vehicle. It makes sense that Mitsubishi is considering an upgraded powertrain, which could use an eight-speed automatic transmission, when making an actual off-road SUV for drivers to enjoy.
The trademark leaves us guessing
Using diamond in the name suggests that a new Outlander trim will be much more capable than any other currently in the lineup. This name is used to show hikers some of the most difficult trails and skiers some of the most difficult slopes. That means you have to be extra capable to handle these challenges. If it lives up to the name, the new Mitsubishi Diamon Trail Edition could be a dream SUV from the brand, giving drivers a revised suspension, higher-riding springs, improved dampers, and knobby all-terrain tires. The S-AWC system has mode settings for snow, sand, mud, and gravel right now, but could this new version add a rock crawling setting? Maybe this new Outlander will have a limited-slip or locking rear differential for increased off-road capability.
Will Mitsubishi go in another direction?
The current Trail Edition version of the Outlander is nothing more than an appearance package. Would Mitsubishi break the hearts of off-road enthusiasts and simply create a new and higher trim that is a luxury-laden model? It’s certainly possible that adding the Diamond name to the mix could signal a flagship SUV with high-end materials, upgraded features, and improved technology. Of course, that would be a heartbreaker for anyone expecting Mitsubishi to regain its off-road prowess with a trim that has three mountain peaks in the name.
Another option is to combine luxury and capability. Go ahead and add the upscale materials, comfort features, and improved tech, but also give us the off-road qualities that make the name make sense. The new Mitsubishi Diamond Trail Edition could have a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, 12-speaker Yamaha audio system, tri-zone climate controls, genuine leather, and heated and ventilated front seats to make it the most luxurious Outlander on the market.
The new Mitsubishi Diamond Trail Edition trademark filing gives us hope and wonder about what this new version of the Outlander will be when it arrives. Would you be interested in an off-road-focused Outlander?