Mi Magazine | Issue 2

SPRING 2023

Turn your experiences into extraordinary memories.

For those special moments you want to create, we are here for you. Personalized, memorable experiences are our specialty. For reservations please visit ritzcarlton.com/toronto

© 2023 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C.

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Visit Website

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Features 8

Mi Spotlight

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Celebrate Canada 2023 Spring Events

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Fireside Chat 2023 Outlander PHEV

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Mi Test Drive

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The Art Of Travel Experience Bermuda

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Gear And Accessories

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The Cottage Experience Chef Alexandra Blagdon

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New Roads Six Great Driving Roads In North America

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From The Kitchen Chef recipe

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Mi Weekend Escape

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A Somm’s Tale Sommelier Scott Patrick Cowan

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Kaoru Sawase The Man affectionately referred to as the God Father of S-AWC

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The Perfect Pairing Pair These With Burgers!

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Mi Spotlight

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Nomadic Indulgence Must Stay Hotels And Resorts

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Mi 20 Years in Canada Mitsubishi Motors Celebrates 20 Years in Canada

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

2023 Mitsubishi RVR

All Mitsubishi trademarks and logos in Mi Magazine ‘Magazine’ are owned by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. or Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and are used under license. All rights reserved. In addi‑ tion, the look and feel of the Magazine may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc.’s (MMSCAN) prior written permission. The Magazine is protected

by Canadian and international copyright laws. All other trademarks, registered trademarks, product names and company names or logos mentioned in the Magazine are the property of their respective owners.

Their inclusion is for information purposes only and does not reflect sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc. or any of its products or services.

Products and services advertised in this issue are not necessarily en‑ dorsed by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc. Complaints or inquiries should be forwarded directly to the advertiser. All purchases are at the complete discretion of the consumer. Printed in Canada.

Mi Team Mi Heritage

A History of Mitsubishi Rally Success: Dakar Rally Championships

Mi Spotlight

2023 Mitsubishi Mirage

Digital Focus Where In The World Is Brian Chow

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Contributors KENJI HARADA President and CEO STEVE CARTER Executive Editor and Director, Marketing DON ULMER Senior Manager, Corporate & Product Strategy KRISTY SINGER Product Planning Manager ROSS CARVELLI Manager, Aftersales Marketing

Service Tips And Advice Spring Vehicle Maintenance

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SYLVAIN GILBERT Manager, Technical Services NAOKO MONGEON Senior Specialist, Brand Marketing

Ten Driving Tips For Saving Fuel And Funds

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1‑888‑576‑4878 mitsubishi-canada@mmcan.ca

Columns A Message From The President And CEO Kenji Harada Last Word Steve Carter

Mitsubishi Motors Customer Care Centre

Design & Layout

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Jennifer Elia

Advertising Inquiries advertising@trqmedia.com

Publisher TRQ MEDIA INC.

@MitsubishiMotorsCanada

https://www.facebook.com/MitsubishiMotorsCanada

@mitsubishican

https://www.instagram.com/mitsubishican/

@MitsubishiCAN

https://twitter.com/mitsubishican

Mitsubishi Motors Canada

https://www.youtube.com/user/mitsubishicanada

mitsubishi-motors.ca

Mi Magazine

A Message From The President And CEO Welcome to Mi Magazine!

Bold. Innovative. Technology-driven. Customer-focused.

These are just some of the words that reflect the heart of Mitsubishi Motors Canada and our obsession for creating and delivering automobiles that Canadians love. We are first and foremost a company focussed on people, and that is reflected in the products you see here in this our second issue of Mi Magazine. Every vehicle is designed to be fun-to-drive, spacious, depend‑ able and exceed the needs of drivers through all four seasons in this great country, and our commitment to excellence is equally great.

Mi Magazine speaks to the heart of what it means to own a Mitsubishi vehicle.

Adventure is in our DNA and its in yours too. In fact, it is probably one of the reasons why you chose to trust us with your vehicle purchase, and we take this to heart.

In this issue, we take you inside the heartbeat of our company and sit down for a fireside chat with Kentaro Honda, the Segment Chief Vehicle Engineer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

Honda-San is passionate about the vehicles he and his team develop and it shows in every detail. As an avid out‑ door enthusiast, he also brings his excitement for mountain climbing into the development of the new Outlander PHEV. Going somewhere remote shouldn’t be limited by what propels our vehicles, and the new Outlander PHEV proves it.

To achieve 20 years in Canada is not only a major milestone for our team of 100 dedicated professionals at Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc., but the 96 dealerships that represent our brand across the country. The fact that over 330,000 vehicles have been sold, is also testament to the loyalty of our customers and a statement that Mitsubishi makes great vehicles. And, we are just getting started.

New technology is changing the way we drive and what we use to power our vehicles as a society and that is a great thing. As we move forward into the next 20 years of Mitsubishi Motors in Canada, it is impossible to say what the future holds; but we know its exciting and we will be there bringing it to you with every vehicle we deliver.

It’s been a great ride so far and we want to thank you for joining us! We hope you enjoy this issue of Mi Magazine as we share some insight, adventure, a little luxury and more. Thanks for being part of the Mitsubishi Canada family!

Sincerely,

Kenji Harada President and CEO Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc.

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MORE THAN DRIVEN For 20 years, Mitsubishi Motors has brought constant innovation to Canada.

Every vehicle has been refined with forward-thinking technologies and intuitive features. Ones that don’t just improve your drive. They make days easier.

Moments more exciting. And inspire you to explore.

Thank you Canada. As we Charge Forward over the next 20 years, the best is yet to come.

Mitsubishi-Motors.ca

Mi 20 Years in Canada

Mitsubishi Motors from coast-to-coast descended on Toronto in October 2022 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mitsubishi Motors in Canada. This new Japanese automaker captured the imaginations of Canadians and entrepreneurs alike. The company quickly signed on 43 dealers in its first year and now stands proudly with 96 dealers from Victoria Island to Newfoundland.

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The festivities kicked off with a Kagami Biraki Sake Ceremony. Kagami refers to the lid of the sake bar‑ rel and biraki means “to open” so kagami-biraki means “opening the lid.” The lid’s round shape is a symbol of harmony. The kagami-biraki, represents an opening to harmony and good fortune.

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Kenji Harada, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, welcomed dealers and special guests Yoichiro Yatabe, Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, and Tomoki Yanagawa, Division General Manager, MMC Global After Sales.

Cheers to 20 more great years Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada!

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Celebrate Canada 2023 Spring Events

It’s quite a magical time in Canada as the winter frost finally thaws, with some amazing events happening both indoors and outdoors across the country. Here is a list of Mi’s 10 favourites to check out throughout the spring and summer months.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

March 3 to May 28

April 27 to 30

Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

An acronym for Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network, Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. finally arrives in western Canadian at The Amazing Brentwood mall in Burnaby after making stops in France, England and the U.S. Based off the popular Marvel comics and movies, it’s a family-friendly exhib‑ ition where entrants get to experience Iron Man’s “Hall of Armour” and Bruce Banner’s lab and see Captain America’s shield and Black Widow’s weapons up close.

Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo Like movies, comics, anime, gaming and/or pop cul‑ ture in general? Then put the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo on your calendar. Taking place in the heart of the city at Stampede Park, entrants can attend celebrity panels, have photos taken with fa‑ vourite stars, participate in cosplay and pick up sou‑ venirs in the merch hall. Scheduled appearances in‑ clude James McAvoy (X-Men), Hayden Christensen (Star Wars) and Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

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SASKATCHEWAN

First Nations University of Canada Spring Celebration Powwow April 22 to 23

Join the First Nations University of Canada in celebrat‑ ing springtime and culture through song and dance at this 38th annual powwow. Over 800 dancers and 20 drum groups from across North America are expected to perform throughout the afternoon and evening, and at midnight there is a “retiring of the flags” cere‑ mony. A tradeshow, traditional food and commun‑ ity-driven programming are on site as well.

MANITOBA

Winnipeg Comedy Festival May 2 to 7

Going into its 22nd year, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival — holding the title of being CBC Television’s highest-rated comedy festival series — has hosted a fair share of legends including Russell Peters and Tommy Chong. One of the acts set to entertain audi‑ ences for 2023 is Middle Raged, which toured na‑ tionally to great acclaim, a live sketch show starring Geri Hall (This Hour has 22 Minutes) and Gary Pearson (MADtv) exploring the time of life when you’re running out of time.

ONTARIO StreetFest

July 27 to 29 Presented by the Beaches Jazz Festival, the biggest free jazz music festival of its kind in the country, Queen Street East (between Woodbine and Beech Avenues) will transform into StreetFest in late July featuring di‑ verse bands, food trucks, vendors and more. Running from 6 to 11 p.m. nightly, head over to the website at www.beachesjazz.com for the full line-up of activ‑ ities. Pro tip: hop on transit to avoid all the road clos‑ ures in the area.

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QUEBEC

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

August 1 to 24

July 19 to August 6

Grands Feux Loto-Québec Billed as “a pyromusical event of international cali‑ bre,” the Grands Feux Loto-Québec, originally created in 1985, highlights the values and roots of aboriginal peoples of Quebec and returns following a two-year absence. Guests at the quays on the Quebec side and across the St. Lawrence River in the city of Lévis are treated not only to spectacular fireworks but artists performing a variety of dance and music styles such as country, Latin, disco and hip-hop.

The Friendly Invasion

The name of this two-and-a-half-week celebration is a nod to when the Town of Stephenville, situated on the shoreline of beautiful Bay St. George, was home to an American air force base during World War II. Take part in guided hikes, walking and ATV tours, enjoy live theatre and open-air concerts, and sit down for a gourmet themed meal. Other options include a scen‑ ic drive along the 161-kilometre French Ancestors Route or a visit to the K’Taqmkuk Mi’Kmaq Museum.

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NEW BRUNSWICK

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

June 8 to 11

April 28 to 29

Freddy Beach Ribfest

Freddy Beach Ribfest is the Maritime’s largest food and music festival where professional rib teams com‑ pete and serve some of the best ribs, chicken and pulled pork found anywhere. Besides all the amaz‑ ing food, on June 8 Walking Contradiction takes the stage: a local four-person group playing 1950s and 60s honky-tonk hits and outlaw movement tunes of the 70s and 80s, with a sprinkling of contempor‑ ary songs. Go to www.freddybeachribfest.ca for the complete schedule.

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PEI Festival of Wines

Explore 300-plus wines at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown from the world’s most reputable vine‑ yards, while sampling cuisine made using sustain‑ able ingredients served by the finest restaurants and food producers on Prince Edward Island. Afterwards, browse the pop-up boutique and take a few of the fa‑ vourites back home. For the true aficionado, purchase a VIP ticket providing one-hour early access and an additional 35 exclusive wines poured.

NOVA SCOTIA

Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts July 14 to 16

Is there a more appropriate Maritimes event than the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl? Happening at ports across the South Shore, from Barrington to Peggy’s Cove, savour the red crustacean pre‑ pared in various ways, such as in a roll or chowder, to name a couple. Learn what beers, wines and spir‑ its pair best with the dishes, go on a lobster scaven‑ ger hunt and discover traditions shaped by the industry.

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Mi Test Drive

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2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Second generation model is improved in every way

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When the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV first arrived in Canada in 2018, it quickly became the best-selling plug-in crossover for a reason, bundling zero emissions motoring with unique styling and the company’s advanced Super All-Wheel Control AWD system. And now it’s back showcasing even bolder styling and enhanced performance all around.

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Adhering to the Japanese concept of “I-Fu-Do-Do” that means authentic and majestic, this is translat‑ ed here into four key pillars: toughness, confidence, quality and strong and smooth acceleration.

The vehicle is sold in seven grades, from ES ($46,538) to GT Premium Two Tone Roof ($57,948). All are wellequipped and include many standard features like, full LED lighting, privacy glass, rear spoiler, leath‑ er-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, heated front seats, stowable third row, full digital instrument clus‑ ter, all-wheel drive and much more.

Powertrain: Unlike the gasoline variant that utilizes a shared Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance engine, the plug-in powertrain is built in house. Similar to its predecessor, a 2.4-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder internal combustion engine is combined with three uprated electric motors — two are located at the front, one of which is actually a generator, and one at the back spinning both axles. Together, the setup pro‑ duces an extra 74 horsepower compared to previous‑ ly for a net 248 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

If the 56-litre fuel tank (formerly 43-litre) and high‑ er-capacity but smaller-sized 20 kWh battery (for‑ merly 13.8 kWh) are full, the PHEV boasts an impres‑ sive total range of 687 kilometres. This includes 61 kilometres of pure electric travel. A myriad of other settings are available such as Battery Save forcing the ICE to work in order to preserve stored energy for a later time.

Exterior: The 2023 Outlander PHEV takes advantage of the same sweeping changes made to the regular fourth-generation model debuting last year: for ex‑ ample the tall reimagined signature Dynamic Shield front fascia design language, where the combina‑ tion daytime running lights and turn signals match up seamlessly to the tops of the chrome pieces; the headlamps relocated down to the middle of the bump‑ er; the slatted black mesh grille; jet tailfin C-pillar; and the rounded line on the tailgate paying homage to overseas siblings donning an external spare tire.

In addition, SEL trims and above wear big 20-inch al‑ loy wheels, fitted underneath the flared wheel arches.

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Interior: The cabin of the GT Premium stands out in particular thanks to its two-tone semi-aniline leath‑ er seating, which is very stylish and extremely com‑ fortable. The saddle tan accent colour scheme car‑ ries through to the dash and door trims, giving the Outlander PHEV a definite upscale vibe. The cabin’s design is clean, and the controls neatly packaged in an easy to manipulate style around the centre stack. The centre console is equally well thought out, housing an electronic shifter, Drive Mode Selector and parking brake button.

The GT Premium is also equipped with a 12.3-inch digital display replacing traditional dials, an elegant and clear interface giving the driver all the informa‑ tion they need, and bundles a head-up display af‑ fording yet another layer of convenience and safety.

The heated second row of the Outlander PHEV de‑ livers occupants a generous amount of legroom and comfort, while the newly-installed third row — made possible by the more compact battery and rear mo‑ tor — is great for kids or miscellaneous belongings.

When not in use and folded flat, the Outlander PHEV has a cavernous cargo compartment for all your trav‑ el needs.

Safety: Outlander PHEV was built with families in mind and taking care of precious cargo. From MIPILOT Assist advanced semi-autonomous driver as‑ sistance system to the 11 air bags, the vehicle incor‑ porates over 50 new safety and technology features.

Mitsubishi Connect is available in Canada linking you to an emergency call centre 24/7 as well as many re‑ mote functions via the convenience of your cellphone.

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Infotainment: The GT Premium comes with a large 9-inch central display screen for the infotainment system offering navigation and is compatible with Apple CarPlay (wirelessly) and Android Auto. There’s a mix of on-screen commands and physical buttons to scroll through the various menus and functions which are user friendly. And an onboard wireless charger en‑ sures mobile devices never run out of juice.

Audio sound quality is excellent courtesy of the 10-speaker Bose premium stereo included in the GT trim.

Drive: The Outlander PHEV delivers a solid, quiet drive experience, whether you are in the city or traveling on the highway. The high-torque output results in quick and smooth acceleration, and makes merging onto the highway a joy. The S-AWC system also means that it can handle a variety of different terrains and road conditions. Ride quality and steering feel of the Outlander PHEV is comfortable for longer trips, and the suspension setup does a good job of quelling any impact due to bumpy roads.

Through the aforementioned Drive Mode Selector in the centre console, you can choose one of seven dif‑ ferent pre-sets to reflect the conditions of the day.

These include Power, Tarmac for sportier perform‑ ance, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Normal and Eco to maximize fuel economy.

Charging the vehicle takes approximately 6.5 hours using a Level 2, 240-volt source. Unusual for the seg‑ ment Level 3 is supported too, capable of going from 0 to 80 per cent in about 38 minutes. When parked,

leveraging the internal combustion engine and the built-in Charge Mode getting to 80 per cent will be just over an hour-and-a-half.

Conclusion: The all-new 2023 Outlander PHEV pro‑ vides a fun, efficient and altogether different take on the SUV class. Add in the luxurious appointments on the higher grades and this latest Mitsubishi product is sure to please even the most discerning automotive consumer.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV S-AWC Configuration

Front engine/All-wheel drive

Engine/transmission

2.4-litre 4-cylinder + 3 electric motors/ CVT

Power/torque

248 horsepower/ 332 lb-ft of torque

Fuel (capacity)

Regular (56 L)

Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km) 3.6 Le/100 km Warranties

10-years/160,000 km (powertrain), 10-years/160,000 km (drive battery), 5-years/100,000 km (basic), 5 year Roadside Assistance.

Starting MSRP*

$46, 538

MSRP as Tested*

$57,948

*MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price in Canadian dollars not including PDI, freight, applicable taxes, and all other fees/ charges. Pricing is for information only and not an offer. See your Mitsubishi dealer or visit https://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca for details.

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Gear And Accessories There are few destinations that Super All-Wheel Control can’t help intrepid road-trippers gain access to. If you’ve found a worthy adventure to embark upon this season, check out some of the gear and accessories below that are perfect to load into your Mitsubishi before heading out on the next epic journey.

Kensington Contour 2.0 Pro Overnight Laptop Spinner — 17” Nothing is worse than a wobbly suitcase prone to fall‑ ing over because of heavy electronics loaded inside.

Not the Kensington Contour 2.0 Pro, specifically made to store a notebook and tablet closer to the centre of gravity to prevent tipping and provide lots of protec‑ tion. There are a plethora of other pockets and com‑ partments to hold a smartphone and charger, acces‑ sories, water bottles, umbrella, pens and pencils and small change of clothes.

The polyester shell is tough and water resistant, the zippers are lockable, and the telescopic handle ex‑ tends long enough so individuals of varying heights can guide the buttery smooth multi-directional wheels along. Meets most carry-on guidelines and stows nicely in an overhead bin or vehicle trunk, the RFID sleeve located under the front flap makes ac‑ cessing your passport and other identification simple and secure.

Logitech MX Master 3S Can’t avoid logging on while on the road? Avoid fum‑ bling around on a trackpad and bring along the latest MX Master 3S wireless mouse, which is an evolution of the outgoing 3 showcasing further refinement. Taking an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy the hefty peripheral remains highly ergonomic and still hous‑ es multiple wheels and buttons, but boosts the 4,000 DPI optical sensor to 8,000 resulting in smooth move‑ ment on virtually any surface — even glass — and re‑ quires less physical movement to move the cursor across two-plus monitors.

Another improvement is the application of enhanced switches offering what Logitech says is a 90 per cent reduction in noise compared to before. Speaking of buttons, almost nothing is non-customizable via the proprietary Logi Options+ software. In addition, the program permits the pairing of both the mouse and a supported keyboard using a single Logi Bolt receiver so there’s one less item to plug in and potentially lose during your travels.

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OWC Thunderbolt Dock For those seeking the ideal mobile work or game sta‑ tion solution, the powerful OWC Thunderbolt Dock represents an integral piece. Many popular lap‑ tops nowadays (i.e. the MacBook) simply don’t pack enough ports for the modern user and is precisely why this piece of equipment is worth tossing in the bag. Onboard are four Thunderbolt (USB-C) and four USB-A ports, SD card reader, combination headphone and microphone in/out and a Gigabit Ethernet jack.

It allows a single high-resolution 8K or two 4K dis‑ plays to be hooked up, and connected laptops will charge at 90 watts. A Kensington Security Slot and Nano Security Slot accommodate anti-theft cab‑ ling. Attractively finished in gunmetal and black, the slim brick-sized dock is compatible with PCs running Windows 10 or higher and Macs 11.11 or higher.

Worx 40V Hydroshot Max Forget trying to drive around the backcountry looking for a carwash. The Worx 40V Hydroshot Max is a firstof-its-kind wireless power washer capable of draw‑ ing from any fresh water source, for example out of a bucket, bottle or even the lake thanks to the included 20-foot hose. Two available speed pressure settings are found on the handle button and four spray angles on the twistable nozzle, perfect for getting at muddy fenders and wheels, and the long shaft helps reach hard-to-get to areas too like roof racks and carriers.

In the box are two 20V Max lithium batteries, the same ones used for the brand’s Power Share line‑ up of tools and thus are interchangeable, providing a maximum 585 PSI of truly cord-free cleaning per‑ formance. A handy built-in energy level indicator at the base shows how much charge is left. When you’ve taken care of the car, spray down the grill and recrea‑ tional toys too.

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Gear And Accessories

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Amazon has debuted yet another upgraded edition of the best-selling Fire tablet, the 7 and Fire 7 Kids.

Doubling the RAM to 2GB, bumping up processor power and increasing battery life a full 40 per cent over its predecessor in a slightly smaller package, apps launch quicker and run smoother, and the de‑ vice may be operated up to 10 hours before needing a top-up. A switchover to USB Type-C input means you can juice up with most Android smartphone chargers rather than lugging around an extra micro USB cord.

The Kids variant is guaranteed to keep the little ones occupied bundling a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ family-friendly content, and a bright blue or purple drop-proof protective case integrating a nifty swivelling stand doubling as a carrying handle. Though the front/rear cameras (2MP/720p respectively) ha‑ ven’t changed, the setup remains great for snapping quick photos and making video calls to loved ones.

And should the Fire meet an untimely demise inside of two years, send the broken product back for a compli‑ mentary warranty replacement.

Singtrix From the creators of Guitar Hero comes Singrix, a portable all-in-one karaoke machine designed to turn anyone into a rock star. The plug-and-play sys‑ tem centres around the Studio Effects Console utiliz‑ ing live vocal technology, such as natural pitch-cor‑ rection, HardTune (similar to Auto-Tune) and literally hundreds more, to improve the sound of beginners and seasoned pros alike. Users can connect a phone, tablet or computer and sing along to free YouTube and Spotify tracks, or a guitar and/or keyboard and jam to their own music.

The Party Bundle Stadium Edition includes a multi-function 40-watt speaker/subwoofer, custom mic and mic stand, and the aforementioned Studio Effects Console boasting fun interchangeable face‑ plate inserts. Grab the recently-released 150-footrange wireless microphone, which also features a “Hit” effects button just as the wired version does, to add a second or third singer to the mix.

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Mitsubishi All-weather Floor Mats These genuine branded all weather floor mats are made to fit perfectly in all products across the Mitsubishi lineup, such as the refreshed Eclipse Cross.

Coming in a set of four, the high bordering edges and inner grooves protect the carpeting against rain, snow and mud potentially sloshing around (or even messy passengers). An anti-slip design prevents un‑ intentional movement when driving.

Crafted out of heavy-duty stain-resistant rubber, they are easy to clean using soap, water and a brush, or spray the mats down safely using a pressure wash‑ er. Visit your local Mitsubishi dealership for mod‑ el-specific pricing.

Mitsubishi Roof Carrier Kit Perhaps you wish to bring a full-size kayak up to the lake in your RVR, or you simply want to keep all three rows upright in the new fourth generation Mitsubishi Outlander while still being able to carry some gear.

Depending on the application, the easily installed roof carrier kit adds everything needed to secure a storage carrier to the top of the SUV like lockable side rails and crossbars and is backed by a factory warranty.

Once attached, there are many alternative accessor‑ ies owners can choose to install besides a box, includ‑ ing different mounts to hold recreational equipment from snowboards to bicycles.

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Add-ons

mitsubishi-motors.ca 28

Amping Up the All-New Outlander With Accessories

There are so many options available to make the all-new 2023 Outlander your own. Take a look at some of the accessories available.

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New Roads

Six Great Driving Roads In North America If you want to make the most of your Mitsubishi, take it for a drive on one of the finest roads in Canada or the United States. Here are half-a-dozen of the very best.

Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge is a twisting, undulating spine that runs diagonally for 755 kilometres across Virginia and North Carolina. It was built as a scenic road and is designated as a National Parkway, so there are no commercial trucks and anyone in a hurry is away on the interstate.

The two-lane highway stays up near the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, sometimes several thousand feet above the valleys to each side, and there are

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plenty of places to pull over and take in the beauty of the forested vistas. It’s best to carry your own snacks or drinks, because there are no communities beside the road and only a handful of restaurants, all of them table-service.

The true pleasure, however, is in the drive itself: gen‑ tle, well-posted curves beneath the trees on smooth tarmac with numerous passing points if needed, cre‑ ating an unrushed journey away from the bustle of everywhere else.

Scenic Byway 12 Scenic Byway 12 takes the high ground across south-central Utah to link the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park with the cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park. Along the way, it passes the multi-col‑ oured rock buttes of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, with hiking trailheads leading to the mountains and waterfalls of the area.

The highway is classified as an All-American Road, and it can be snowed in during winter, especially at the 2,928-metre high point of Boulder Mountain Pass. It’s often pleasantly cool in the summer when the lower areas of the state are too hot for comfort – there’s even a winding stretch called the Hog Back that runs along the very crest of the ridge, at 2,100 metres high, with sharp drops to each side and no guard rails.

Not for the faint of heart!

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Beartooth Highway There’s no good reason for the Beartooth to exist, ex‑ cept that its construction gave paycheques to thou‑ sands of workers during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It’s an adventurous road that links Wyoming and Montana and is best driven from east to west: the tarmac climbs almost 2,000 metres in a 20-kilometre series of switchbacks to the Beartooth Pass, then slides back down toward Yellowstone National Park.

During the climb, the landscape transitions from dense forest to alpine tundra, and the road passes countless

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mountain lakes in the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges.

There are 20 peaks to be seen that are more than 4,000 metres high, with glaciers on their slopes. By the time you reach Cooke City, you’ll want a break at one of the many seasonal restaurants and coffee shops in town.

It can snow even in summer at the higher altitudes, and the road is closed in wintertime. When it reopens for the spring, the cleared snow to each side often creates a trench for the highway that reaches high above the roofs of cars and trucks.

Northern Gaspé Many road-trippers know the Cabot Trail that circles Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island, but the 800-kilo‑ metre highway around Quebec’s Gaspé peninsula is just as beautiful and just as dramatic, with a French accent.

Like the Cabot Trail, Highway 132 is best driven counter clockwise so you stay closest to the water.

The south shore is the most populated: the road is wider, with towns catering to vacationers who come for the comparatively warm and sandy beaches, and continues to the tourist destination of Percé Rock.

Beyond Percé, the highway twists and winds through the rocks to Gaspé, the largest town in the area, and then it seems to unflex and relax along the northern Gaspé shoreline as it returns to the more populated regions of Quebec. Along the way, it rises and falls with the hills beside the Gulf of St. Lawrence before finally dropping back down to the water. Small villa‑ ges offer fine Quebec cuisine and handicrafts, but this is primarily a well-tended market road, built to service the fishing ports of the coast.

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North of Superior When the Trans-Canada Highway was planned in the 1950s, there was debate about the best route to take through Ontario north of Lake Superior. A lumber sup‑ ply route already existed deep in the forest, but polit‑ icians wanted to attract American road trippers, and they eventually agreed to a road that would hug the shoreline of the big lake. It was a challenge to con‑ struct: the area was so swampy that crews would build a road one day and return the next morning to find it swallowed up by the quagmire.

In the end, the highway from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay was completed in 1960, and it is de‑ signed to be enjoyed by drivers and tourists. It takes a long day to complete the 700 kilometres, with the most scenic stretches following the shoreline north to Wawa, and across from Marathon to Thunder Bay. It’s a trucking route, but many truckers cross the American border to take the faster interstate in the United States, so it’s not overrun with heavy vehicles.

The road is often high above the water, plunging through rock cuts to open up yet another forested, lakeside vista that reminds you why the area is one of the most beautiful on Earth.

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Fraser Canyon The Trans-Canada Highway travels along the Fraser River for 100 kilometres between Hope and Lytton, but the mostly commercial traffic is now on the fast‑ er Coquihalla Highway to the east that links Hope dir‑ ectly to Merritt and Kamloops. This leaves the Fraser route to those who prefer to enjoy the drive.

Before roads were built, the mountainous area was almost unnavigable. When explorer Simon Fraser first visited in 1808, local natives guided him through the deep and narrow Hells Gate section of the canyon on wooden planks suspended over the fierce water by ropes strung high above. It must have been terrifying.

These days, the road itself is relatively sedate, but it stays close to the canyon and the rushing water is never far away. It adds a sense of adventure to any drive through the Rocky Mountains, or just a day trip out from Vancouver to make the most of your Mitsubishi.

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Mi Weekend Escape

2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Historical Niagara-On-The-Lake

The year was 1812 and stories claim British officers were dining with their American counterparts at Fort George in what was then Upper Canada. During the meal, word suddenly arrived the two empires were at war. The Americans immediately stood up to leave, but the British insisted they stay and finish their meal before being safely escorted to the river bank and sent on their way. In the end, America won their independence and the stranglehold of the British Empire was never the same.

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I am reminded of this time in history as I drive the 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross through the manicured streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The origin‑ al launch in 2017 of the Eclipse Cross made it clear Mitsubishi was taking a bold step forward to chal‑ lenge the hotly contested compact sport utility mar‑ ket. With American, European and Asian competitors holding court with firm resolve, the steady march for‑ ward of this newest design is a clear signal Mitsubishi is taking the high ground and plans to win.

is recorded that Winston Churchill once stated the Parkway is “the prettiest Sunday drive in the World.”

The drive into living antiquity from either Toronto to the north or Buffalo to the south, is filled with glimpses of vineyards and multi-million dollar homes.

Together with roadside plaques celebrating the his‑ tory of this area, it provides an intoxicating blend of the old and new.

To my right is the mighty Niagara River and just be‑ yond that America. It feels so close you can almost touch it, but in reality, the two countries are separ‑ ated by a wide, fast moving waterway. Of course, Niagara Falls in all of its splendour, a mere 16 kilo‑ metres to the south, may have something to do with this. Powercraft and sailboats ply the shared bound‑ ary in a scene unlike any other in the world. Thirty minutes later we arrive at our destination.

A must-see route to follow is the Niagara Parkway stretching all the way from Fort Erie to Niagara Falls before finally reaching the shores of Lake Ontario. It

Cherry trees that are typically full to overflowing at the start of summer, lie dormant at this time of year in si‑ lent sentinel watch, limbs stretched upward towards the bright blue winter sky. I do my best to maintain a steady pace on the Parkway and keep to the speed limit of 60 km/h. It is a challenge as the two-lane road is perfectly paved and traffic is light on this day.

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The Prince of Wales Hotel is a mainstay in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, or NOTL as it is referred to by the locals. Situated on the main street, it is a short stroll to the many stores and restaurants lined up to greet the daily onslaught of visitors from all parts of the globe. It has been 211 years since the War of 1812, but the town still feels connected to its vibrant past. At the entrance to Fort George, cannons are pol‑ ished and gleaming as tour buses pull up and eager visitors arrive.

First built in 1864, floors creak and history oozes around every corner of the hotel. Signature roses are placed throughout this most romantic setting. A total of 110 guest rooms range in size from Traditional to Superior, Deluxe, Premium, Suites and the Royal Suite.

It highlights a four poster canopy king bed, a fireplace with separate seating area and oversized bathroom with jetted tub. Views look toward main street and the ever-present clock tower, showcased in several Hallmark Christmas movies in recent years.

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Dining takes place in four unique settings; Noble Restaurant, Churchill Lounge, The Drawing Room and Charcuterie & Panini Bar. Additional amenities include the Secret Garden Spa, indoor pool, fitness room and there are also dog-friendly accommodations to in‑ clude your best friend. A stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel is an unforgettable experience that will stand the test of time.

Niagara is celebrated throughout the world for its fruit growing and wine-producing terroir. But hidden behind the endless number of family produce stands and extravagant wineries in this region is the lesser known, but equally compelling, craft beer market.

Leaving the Eclipse Cross parked at the hotel, it is an easy walk across the street to Exchange Brewery, the first stop on our unofficial Niagara Beer Trail. A con‑ trast given the setting, the taproom is ultra-modern with seating at the bar or a few small tables spread throughout. On tap are various Belgian-style ales

carefully aged in 50 French Oak wine barrels. Plum Berliner Weisse, Amber Ale and the Foreign Exchange Stout are just some of the flavours to explore.

A short Uber ride away, Silversmith Brewing Company is located in a what was once the town of Virgil’s cen‑ tral church. Pews have been replaced with tables for four or a larger party ready to enjoy an afternoon or evening beer flight. The award-winning Black Lager is a must, so too the Helles Lager and Oatmeal Stout.

Close by, we also stop at Niagara Oust House Brewers, located in what was once a big red barn. You can’t miss it; it is still bright red and white and a short 3 minute drive from Silversmith on your way back to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This local favourite beer stop is

famous for their Farmhouse Ale Collection, as well as the Dark‘Ass Ale and the very seasonal Watermelon Gose. Growler in hand, it is time to get a ride back to town.

As impossible as it may seem, this centuries old set‑ ting is even more spectacular at night with lights twinkling all down Queen Street. It is also at this time when the town comes alive with tourists out for an evening stroll and locals plying the streets to see and be seen. Of course, it never hurts to book your dinner reservations early as tables fill quickly, especially dur‑ ing the high tourist season from May to September.

But you shouldn’t have to worry about being escorted back to the river bank after dinner, as thankfully that eventful night back in 1812 is left to the history books.

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Kaoru Sawase Dedicates Career To Life Saving S-AWC

The Man affectionately referred to as the God Father of S-AWC shares his story

Kaoru Sawase not only has a doctorate in engineering, but more than 50 patents bearing his name, and the road to all that intellectual property began on a snowy, windy, remote stretch in Northern Japan, where he was born and raised.

Sawase-san, an energetic, engaging story-teller with a thick shock of hair and an obvious love of intellec‑ tual puzzles, pauses as he takes us back to the night he almost died. It was an experience which, in fact, led him to devote his entire professional career to de‑ veloping and continuously striving to perfect what is today Mitsubishi Motor Corporation’s globally-recog‑ nized Super All-Wheel Control system (S-AWC).

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As a student, he says -- half-smiling, half-grimacing as he looks back on his night of terror and revelation – I would often drive in near-whiteout conditions, carv‑ ing my way along the side of a cliff. One night, he lost control of his car and came within an inch, literally, of his life.

“I almost fell off this snowy winding road, over the cliff,” he says, with a bemusement and relief. Relief, he

continues, “Because by chance there was a fairly large rock sitting at the side of that road. My vehicle got onto that rock and stopped. So, I’m still alive.”

Even then, long before he earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Systems Design Engineering from Tohoku University, Sawase-san was thinking like an engineer.

In his mind, he began comparing the first rear-wheeldrive car he drove as a student on those very roads, to the front-drive car he piloted on the night of his neardeath experience.

“So, actually I learned the effect of the different, dy‑ namic systems of the wheels using my own life,” he says, recalling an early, unplanned, unrecommended experiment.

This led him to ponder the “critical difference” between front- and rear-wheel control, how it makes for dif‑ ferences in cars generally, and specifically in those competing at the World Rally Championship (WRC). He came to a startling, life-changing realization.

“After that experience, and then watching the WRC races,” he says, he carefully assessed the four-wheeldrive vehicles in the race. He made it his professional mission “to make a four-wheel-drive vehicle that runs well and also allows me to keep my life.”

More laughter.

Today, the S-AWC system in the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and across the line-up seamlessly re‑ flects his and the engineering team’s goal of making an all-wheel-drive vehicle that responds realistically and effectively to driver inputs while taking into con‑ sideration weather and road conditions. The goal is to deliver “critical safety benefits” in a vehicle that re‑ sponds precisely and predictably to driver inputs, re‑ gardless of driving conditions.

So, he adds, the vehicle must perform as the driver operates it, using “technology that optimally distrib‑ utes the drive force between all four wheels,” he says, adding that AWD technology at its best allows drivers

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to navigate safely on snowy roads, or dirt roads, roads covered in sand or gravel or mud, and to do so re‑ gardless of the skill level of the driver – from everyday commuter to world-class rally competitor.

No matter what kind of surface you are driving on, he emphasizes, “the ultimate technology is the one that allows a driver to move the vehicle as they wish. It’s what brings the driver safely back home at the end of the day. I think that is my strongest motivation in my career.”

It has been quite a career. Sawase-san joined Mitsubishi in 1988, right out of university. “Immediately after joining the company, even as a rookie (engineer), I started, participating in the development of fourwheel drive systems,” he says, noting that long before he came to work at Mitsubishi, he studied AWD sys‑ tems competing in the gruelling WRC. “And I was so impressed. That was my dream, to work on (AWD) technology,” he says. “And that’s why I joined Mitsubishi, to do this. I was very, very happy when I 42

was allowed to join the four-wheel drive development team as soon as I joined the company.”

From the outset, Sawase-san worked on a team whose aim was to catch and surpass the electron‑ ically controlled AWD technology already in use by Porsche and the Nissan GTR. “So, they were ahead of us, but our goal was to over‑ come this challenge and develop this new technology from Mitsubishi. So, as an engineer, I must say I was extremely lucky,” he says.

Indeed, in those early years, Mitsubishi and others were using mechanical 4WD systems that “we call dir‑ ect connect. In other words, the front and rear wheels were mechanically connected.” This technology effi‑ ciently delivers straight-ahead traction, but turning smoothly and comfortably presented a challenge for drivers.

From there, the team added a centre differential to improve the performance of the then-Gallant. There

were steady improvements to Mitsubishi’s AWD tech‑ nologies into the 2000s and by 2007-2008 Mitsubishi’s S-AWC system – with active centre differential and yaw-control electronics -- was making its way into the automaker’s lineup.

By this point, Sawase-san has, quite obviously, put on his Chief Technology Engineer’s hat. Then he turns to the design objectives of S-AWC: “predictable handling” and “high-marginal performance.”

In real-world terms, “predictable handling” means the vehicle is engineered to deliver “superior steer‑ ing response.” By that he means steering that is linear and controllable even in slippery conditions. When a vehicle has “high-marginal performance,” it stays as glued to the road as possible “during cornering and braking.”

In a nutshell, the S-AWC system Sawase-san has spent a career developing and refining is designed to deliv‑ er dynamic performance at higher speeds, perform‑ ance that is predictable and satisfying for the driver, while also addressing pure safety concerns that are grounded in personal experience – Sawase-san’s.

The truth is, then, this S-AWC journey all began on a snowy night in Northern Japan.

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Mi Spotlight

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

New Outlander provides fresh style and premium driving experience without breaking the bank.

Since entering its fourth generation last year, The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander represents quite a radical departure both inside and out compared to the pre‑ vious version. No longer considered on the tame side, this is an in-your-face concept that is hard to miss.

2.5-litre four-cylinder powertrain, mated to a con‑ tinuously-variable transmission. Both smooth and responsive, the setup is thrifty at the pump as well possessing a combined city and highway fuel con‑ sumption rating of 8.9L L/100km.

But there’s more than just some different sheet metal, chrome and other minor bits. In fact, the Outlander was rethought from the ground up — the three-row SUV sits on the same platform as the Nissan Rogue as a result of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and incorporates an entirely new 181-horsepower

The Japanese company’s praised Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system received an enhancement as part of the overhaul, adding Brake AYC (Active Yaw Control) to the rear axle so braking force can now be applied to every corner independently optimizing grip through turns. The behaviour of the impressive

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traction-enhancing technology is also capable of be‑ ing modified using the mode selector found on the centre console to suit various terrain and situations, for example Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, Mud and Eco. This is the most luxurious interior ever seen in the model, especially in the top GT Premium grade.

Among the highlights is two-tone semi-aniline leather upholstery with saddle tan accent colour gracing the dash and door panels lending an upscale feel. The cabin boasts a clean, minimalistic look providing an ideal balance between touch and physical switches. A 12.3-inch digital cluster replaces a traditional gauge instruments and the head-up display relays import‑ ant information right onto the windshield.

Outlander was built with families in mind and taking care of precious cargo. From advanced semi-autono‑ mous driving such as Mi-Pilot Assist to 11 air bags, and almost everything in between like automatic rear emergency braking, the vehicle incorporates over 50 innovative safety and tech features. For the first time, Mitsubishi Connect is offered in Canada which links

you to an emergency call centre 24/7 and many other remote functions via your cellphone.

As mentioned above, the change in styling on the current crossover is striking. The signature Dynamic Shield front fascia is further streamlined showcasing a wide and deep centre grille that blends into the thin slits on the top corners housing the daytime running lights. Below the unique vertically-stacked headlamps are a visual standout. The side profile is sleek wearing crisp accent lines front to back, providing a sense of movement even when standing still, and an attractive set of 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels on certain trims.

The Outlander is available in seven trims, starting with the ES and topping out with the GT Premium, all in‑ cluding an enhanced version of Mitsubishi’s S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system. Offering a fresh take on the SUV segment, it’s certain to turn heads and start a conversation. In addition, the gasoline-only version has just been joined in Canada by the fully-redesigned Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which is on sale now.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Starting MSRP for model year 2023:

$32,698*

*MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price in Canadian dollars not including PDI, freight, applicable taxes, and all other fees/ charges. Pricing is for information only and not an offer. See your Mitsubishi dealer or visit https://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca for details.

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“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free.

Don’t miss so many of them.”

Jo Walton

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Mi Spotlight

2023 Mitsubishi RVR

Mitsubishi Motors’ Entry SUV is a Canadian Favourite

Standing out in a crowded market is tough these days. It takes a fresh design, class leading capability, modern technology and a focus on driver and passenger safety. When it comes to the ever-popular subcompact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment, the Mitsubishi RVR not only stands out, but it also stands tall as Mitsubishi Motors’ top-selling vehicle year after year.

Whether optioned with the 148 horsepower, 2.0 L, dual-overhead cam, MIVEC 4 cylinder engine or the larger, 2.4 L, 168 horsepower MIVEC engine (available in SE, SEL, LE and GT trims), RVR has ample perform‑ ance on tap. Mated to the third generation INVECS (Intelligent & Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System) Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), RVR has been tuned for both responsive performance and efficient civility. Combined city and highway fuel economy is rated at 8.8L/100kms (2.0 L engine FWD), 9.2 L/100km (2.0 L engine 4WD) or 9.4 L/100km (2.4 L engine 4WD).

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With roots in the World Rally Championship and the famed Dakar Rally, Mitsubishi Motors’ off-road capabilities are legendary. The RVR benefits from the experience and knowledge gained in these perform‑ ance arenas by incorporating Mitsubishi Motors’ ad‑ vanced All-Wheel-Control (AWC) system.

The system allows drivers to choose between 2 wheel-drive (2WD), 4 wheel-drive Auto (4WD) and 4 wheel-drive Lock (4WD) drive modes to enable RVR to generate the utmost traction and control in a myriad of terrain and conditions.

Chassis tuning and a compact wheelbase mean that the RVR delivers a nimble driving experience. The multi-link rear suspension and MacPherson struts up front have been optimised to deliver performance fo‑ cused handling, without sacrificing compliance and comfort. Combined with active, intelligent Traction Control Logic and Anti-lock Braking Systems, the RVR is up for any challenge.

Inside, RVR treats occupants to an efficient, upscale and comfortable interior. The dash is highlighted by an intuitive, 8” touchscreen that incorporates a Smartphone Link Display Audio system that works with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. To ensure you can enjoy your music to its fullest while the road and RVR entertains you, a 710-watt, Rockford Fosgate sound system is standard in the GT AWC priceline.

Heated front seats and premium materials give the spacious interior a refined feel throughout the line‑ up and there are multiple charging options available to keep your devices ready to capture all your adven‑ tures. A large, fixed-glass panoramic roof is standard in the GT AWC version of the RVR. To help you and your family arrive safely, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems are available on certain RVR trims to let you know when a vehicle is approaching your blind spot or when your RVR is leaving its lane, while Mitsubishi Motors’

Rear Cross Traffic Alert system detects vehicles ap‑ proaching your sides while you’re backing up. Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection senses vehicles and pedestrians in front of you and helps you brake to avoid or reduce the impact of frontal collisions.

The RVR’s modern sheet metal is the perfect comple‑ ment to its capability, performance and efficiency. The hood, fender and front & rear bumpers were sculpted to give the RVR a stylish aggression and sophisticated stance. The Mitsubishi Motors’ familial Dynamic Shield front fascia is worn proudly by RVR, and the LED headlamps add more than just a sporty touch. RVR is an execution of design that is unique to its class.

The rearward sloping roofline continues the sporty aesthetic of RVR, while still maintaining roomy and accommodating rear seats. The rear hatch opens to reveal up to 1,402 litres of cargo space with a trunk floor that sits at the ideal height for easy placement and removal.

Couple all of these features with Mitsubishi Motors’ comprehensive 10-5-5-Warranty that provides ten years of powertrain protection (up to 160,000 km) for your RVR – and five year basic (100,000 km) and road‑ side for five years – and you have a sub-compact SUV that has clearly risen to the top of its class.

2023 Mitsubishi RVR Starting MSRP for model year 2023*

$24,098*

*MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price in Canadian dollars not including PDI, freight, applicable taxes, and all other fees/ charges. Pricing is for information only and not an offer. See your Mitsubishi dealer or visit https://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca for details.

• Android and Android Auto are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google LLC. • iPhone and Apple CarPlay are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the US and other countries

*International Model Shown

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Fireside Chat 50

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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Kentaro Honda is the Segment Chief Vehicle Engineer, Mitsubishi Motor Corporation. He is responsible for the 2023 Outlander and Outlander PHEV. Prior to taking this role, he was the Manager responsible for the firstgeneration Outlander PHEV beginning in 2009. Honda-san joined MMC in 1994 in the Vehicle Design Department (Galant and Eclipse). He spent five years in the United States working in various roles. He spoke with us at the Canadian launch of the Outlander PHEV in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Mi Magazine: It’s been said that the Outlander PHEV is a vehicle you would choose for yourself. That is, your regular work life is in the city, as the leader of the Outlander PHEV team. This means your commutes are short and can be done in pure EV mode. But, when you take time to enjoy your hobbies, you find yourself in more remote areas – mountain climbing, camping, cycling, enjoying the outdoors – you need a vehicle with several hundred kilometres of range.

Honda-san: Yes, that’s true. I have a relatively short drive to work. But since I was a university student, I’ve been involved in mountain climbing and other activ‑ ities that are often far away from the city. Even then in university, I was fascinated by vehicles that carried club members and our climbing stuff – such as the Delica.

Mi: Tell us, what mountains have you climbed in Japan?

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Honda-san: Mount Fuji is very famous and I have climbed it. It was a challenge, but not fun. All uphill and very few changes of scenery.

I prefer the Japan Alps; we call them Nihon Arupusu.

This series of mountain ranges runs down the spine of the main Japanese island, Honshu. I have climbed there many times. This is the place to go.

Unfortunately, I have not been there recently; becom‑ ing a chief engineer is very demanding.

Mi: You joined Mitsubishi in 1994?

Honda-san: Yes. In my first job, I designed the door and components for the Eclipse. This is how a young engineer learns and grows. You work on little bits of the car, one at a time.

Mi: How long have you been working on Outlander projects?

Honda-san: I have worked on Outlander for almost 12 years. It has been my life for almost 12 years.

Mi: My thought is, the Outlander is very much a vehicle for you -- for you personally, as someone who loves the outdoors, but works in the city. And not just climbing and camping, but cycling in remote areas, too.

Honda-san: When I came back to Japan after a fiveyear assignment in Normal, Illinois, one of the first things I did was to borrow our i-MiEV electric vehicle.

I wanted to go to a mountain area, but the driving range limitation prevented me from doing that.

The i-MiEV was something of an experimental vehicle, testing what the market -- what customers -would want and need. We also learned about battery management and charging.

So, when I got the assignment for the Outlander PHEV, one of my first thoughts was to make sure this EV could drive to nature.

Mi: And the result of those learnings is right here, in the Outlander PHEV? Honda-san: Yes, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Mi: One of the things most interesting about the Outlander PHEV is that your concept for a plug-in hy‑ brid is this: to start as a battery electric vehicle like the i-MiEV, and then add the gasoline motor. This is dif‑ ferent than some of your competitors, who start with a gasoline vehicle and then add a battery component.

Honda-san: I would like the customer to drive the Outlander PHEV as if it were a pure battery-electric vehicle. It is, but with a gasoline engine to generate electricity to charge the battery. So, our concept is quite different from others. The idea is to create an electric vehicle that has no range anxiety.

Our customer can use this vehicle as an EV, but it is a hybrid vehicle for the weekend ranger. As I said, no range anxiety. And, of course, the customer can enjoy EV driving -- smooth and quick and quiet. With gas‑ oline prices high, a bonus is that it is energy efficient.

Electricity is much cheaper than gasoline.

Mi: Efficient, of course. Yet, you were determined to build a vehicle that is safe, and capable in bad weath‑ er and on rough terrain – and entertaining to drive, as well. That’s a lot.

Honda-san: Yes, Super All-Wheel Control, or S-AWC, is our technology, which, in fact, is the product of not

53

years, but decades of development. It provides stabil‑ ity and traction in all conditions.

My colleague, (Kaoru) Sawase-san, led the team that developed it. He has a very high level of technical skill and is an excellent driver. His goal was to create a generation of S-AWC technology that provides for basic safety, but also the sharp responses that a rally driver would want.

Mi: Consumers who are, shall we say, “in the know,” will recognize that the Outlander PHEV is built on an alliance platform, the Mitsubishi-Nissan-Renault Alliance.

Honda-san: Yes, that is true. But we required seating for seven passengers. We worked with our partners to ensure there was room for seven passengers and rear motors for S-AWC. Mi: So, this is an example of where you take an alli‑ ance platform, and customize it for Mitsubishi?

Honda-san: Yes, exactly.

Mi: So, let’s summarize the 2023 Outlander PHEV. What would you tell your neighbor or a family mem‑ ber interested in how you’ve spent the last 12 or so years? The main points.

Honda-san: This is the culmination of Mitsubishi Motors’ technology; in that it allows to you drive with S-AWC while contributing to the environment with PHEV. The Outlander PHEV brings driving pleasure and comfortable EV use to daily life and for long-range driving, without worrying about running out of power – what some call “range anxiety.”

Mi: The Outlander PHEV looks expensive, and the ma‑ terials look and feel expensive. Yet, it competes in the mainstream marketplace. What message are you sending to potential customers?

Honda-san: The new Outlander was developed with the focus on making the vehicle appealing just by looking at it, before you even get in. The robust exter‑ ior design will motivate you to get going before you leave in the morning, and the high-quality interior will make you happy every time you get in.

Mi: One complaint we often hear from customers is that the technology in today’s vehicles is too compli‑ cated. What has your team done to simplify the use of advanced technologies in the Outlander PHEV? Honda-san: One is the driver mode selector. The driv‑ er simply turns the dial to select the appropriate drive mode for the road conditions. The car automatically controls all the tires for optimum driving responses.

A second is the display that shows the PHEV status in an easy-to-understand manner, so the driver can understand complex controls visually on the screen.

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55

The Art Of Travel

Bermuda’s Beautiful Hidden Gems Blue crystal waters with sandy beaches as far as the eye can see juxtapose with the lush green landscape.

As your plane hovers over the Atlantic, first impres‑ sions of Bermuda’s idyllic surroundings are stun‑ ning. Only a short flight from many Canadian airports, Bermuda is a highly sought after destination.

Known for its majestic beauty, Bermuda boasts a di‑ verse range of activities - from cultural attractions and outdoor adventures to culinary experiences and more. Full of history and maritime heritage, the British influence and vibrant island traditions flour‑ ish throughout. Commonly referred to as “the” island, Bermuda in fact consists of 138 islands. Whatever ex‑ perience you are searching for you won’t have to trav‑ el far; Bermuda is only 53 km2 in size.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, sun seeker or looking for something in between, there’s a pace for everyone. Golfing, biking, tennis and even cave ex‑ ploring are some of the options to keep you busy.

However, be sure to slow down long enough to relax and recharge on the world-famous pink sand beaches.

You have several transportation modes to choose from while navigating around the island, but traditional car rentals are not one of them. Renting a ‘twizy’ or elec‑ tric car is a fun and exciting way to explore Bermuda.

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Bicycles, e-bikes and motorized scooters are also op‑ tions for winding along the coastal roads. Whatever transportation you desire, keep in mind that motor‑ ists drive on the left (UK- style).

The island bus is very user friendly and convenient.

Taxis are also readily available, and many hotels of‑ fer shuttles - some even provide water taxis or ferries into the city centre.

Travelling by water or taking the ferry is a great way to explore with ease and enjoy the spectacular views.

Booking a sunset cruise is a must to admire the pic‑ turesque skies and the many yachts and cruise ships that flock to the port destination.

The capital city, Hamilton, is an eclectic blend of build‑ ings that line the seafront with an abundance of dining and shopping, easy to explore by foot. Culinary selec‑ tions abound across the island with a variety of fla‑ vours and food traditions that will satisfy your taste‑ buds. From elegant to casual fare there are endless choices with of course the finest seafood available.

The Royal Naval Dockyards is a popular tourist spot offering a Bermudian themed escape room, tram‑ poline park, bike rentals, museums and spectacular views to name but a few. Motor enthusiasts looking to be transported through time will enjoy the Dockyards Bermuda Transport Museum’s vintage collection of cars, motorcycles and even boats.

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The Town of St. George, together with surround‑ ing areas and forts, are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites that have been preserved for over 400 years. The picturesque cobble stone roads and colourful buildings offer a glimpse into the past that will have you uncovering treasures at every turn.

Frozen in time, the Unfinished Church in St George showcases dramatic stone archways that frame the lush green landscape and painted blue skies.

Construction on the gothic church began in 1870 but never reached completion due to storms and lack of funding over the years. The not to be missed ruins are now a well-known attraction and often used as event space for special occasions.

Whether you’re zipping through the streets in an electric car or relaxing on pristine sandy beaches, Bermuda is sure to satisfy whatever pace you wish to travel the Island - but be warned it will likely have you racing back to visit again.

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DOMINATE ADVENTURE

The Cottage Experience Chef Alexandra Blagdon

At 8 years old Alexandra Blagdon fell in love with cooking. Her culinary adventure started with apple and ham omelettes for her mother and mastering the easy bake oven. For the remainder of her elementary school life, she made all sorts of creations — which in‑ cluded a cheesecake business that turned over zero profit but always made enough to provide another cheesecake. Little did she know, she was pursuing the life of a chef.

She attended Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland which focused on fresh produce and respect for all ingredients. With the luxury of having 100 acres of organic farm land, came harvesting the vegetables and milking the cows. They truly embraced the farmto-table mentality which inspired her to forage in her home of Newfoundland & Labrador.

Shortly after culinary school, she went back to Newfoundland to join the kitchen at The Reluctant Chef. They would create a 5 course tasting menu that changed bi-weekly and was redesigned to accommo‑ date any food aversions. While working directly under the chef in a kitchen the size of a closet, she learned a wide variety of cuisines and skills that would follow her throughout her career.

After a year at The Reluctant Chef Alexandra moved to Tuscany, Italy to work at Villa Bordoni. Surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, Villa Bordoni focused on traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist.

Throughout her stay she focused on making fresh pastas, picking fresh figs and lemons in the backyard, tasting the varieties of olive oil, and enjoying all things food and wine.

After experiencing the authenticity of food culture in Europe she couldn’t stop travelling and cooking in various countries. She has shifted her passion for culinary into the world of education with her online cookery school The Alder Cottage. The Alder Cottage now has students all over the world who partake in classes virtually from their own kitchens! Join Alex online for a culinary experience to remember or in person if you ever find yourself in Newfoundland!

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From The Kitchen

BRIOCHE - THE BREAD THAT FEELS LIKE A WARM HUG FOR THE SOUL. Brioche bread is often something people run away from making. Mainly because everyone thinks there’s no way something so delicious can be so simple to make!

But they’re wrong.

And if you’re a doubter then you are too!

But it’s a good kind of wrong, a wrong that you can make right - simply by trying these out for yourself.

Hamburgers? Hot dogs? Breakfast sandwiches? Chicken burgers? Veggie burgers?

Brioche.

Not into the bun style and more of a loaf folk?

Put it into a loaf tin and bake for 375 until golden!

And BAM. You got yourself a loaf.

Alex has a few tips and tricks to ensure you leave your kitchen happy and not overwhelmed.

Chill the dough overnight after the first proof. Take out of the fridge , shape your balls and double in size.

The dough isn’t really a traditional bread dough when you mix it. It’s sticky, unmanageable to shape and this is PERFECT.

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BRIOCHE RECIPE NOTE — HAVE ALL INGREDIENTS WEIGHED MEASURED OUT BEFOREHAND 75g Milk 2 eggs 50g butter 25g Sugar 250g All purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1/2 tbsp dry active yeast Heat milk to tepid and put into medium size mixing bowl. add yeast. next add melted butter and eggs. Whisk together flour, sugar & salt.

Mix dry and wet together using “the claw”.

When you get a rough ball, remove your hands and wash them. Turn out onto a countertop that’s lightly dusted with flour; it will be sticky but that’s normal! Knead until silky, using CLEAN HANDS and only adding flour when you absolutely must. Put into a clean bowl and cover. Put in a warm place and rise until doubled in size.

Turn dough onto the counter and weigh into 85g balls for hamburger buns.

Tuck all your edges in to form a perfect ball and set onto a tray with parchment paper with at least 1 inch between buns.

Spray the top of the buns lightly with cooking spray and let it double in size again.

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake at 400˚F until golden (roughly 15 minutes) *IF YOUR OVEN IS HOT BAKE AT 375˚F* MAKE THE BREAD ONLINE WITH THE ALDER COTTAGE AT www.thealdercottage.com

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A Somm’s Tale

Sommelier Scott Patrick Cowan

For 17 years Scott Patrick Cowan chained himself to restaurant life in St. John’s, taking one intermission to assist in the beverage program and training of seven restaurants at AAA-Four Diamond Fairmont Château Lake Louise, which had grossed the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence. When he realized that he had to learn over 400 wines by memory without tast‑ ing, he was very frightened.

Completing his certification in Seattle through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2013, Scott has de‑ lighted in helping guests and colleagues through‑ out the ever-growing expanse of restaurants in Newfoundland. Oftentimes remembering the wines on his list without tremendous fear, led by fluke.

Guided by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas of New Zealand and Seamus Dooley, who represented Canada in the Competition of Best Young Sommelier in the World held by Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Scott went onto win the Best Sommelier of Atlantic Canada award in 2021, and compete for the title of best Sommelier of Canada. While he was disqualified from the competi‑ tion, they did allow him to accompany the others on numerous winery tours and master classes, where he stubbornly refused to spit.

While consulting, he has been fortunate enough to succeed in helping new restaurants land on the En Route Magazine Best New Restaurant Lists, Canada’s Top 100 Restaurant Lists, and Canada’s Top 50 Bar Lists.

He is currently studying to compete again for the title of best sommelier in Canada for 2023, stagger‑ ing through the rudiments of the Spanish language, finishing something between a novella and a novel, and enjoying the serenity of living next to Quidi Vidi Lake. You can find him at Mallard Cottage, being wild‑ ly unprofessional and silly on the dining room floor.

He often bumps into bar stools after soliloquys about Italian wine.

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The Perfect Pairing Pair These With Your Burger!

It’s the sauce, not the protein. That’s the sommelier adage. It has allowed me to confuse countless guests with a condensing glass of white looming over their steak, and glistening with golden béarnaise sauce.

But if you trust this old somm—it works. That’s why there are a half dozen pairings for any old burger, and many of them boil down to the sauce.

‘Big Mac’ Style Burgers One of the experiments in a primitive tasting menu I did, was a chef’s take on a Big Mac, fluffed up with brioche. Artisan pickle. After consulting the sommelier scrolls, and meeting with the sommelier elders on a mountain top, we settled on white zinfandel as being the best pairing for a Big Mac. However, without that thousand island dressing style sauce, ample pickle, and pillowy soft bun, you might be wondering what maniac would reach for a sweet, plush rosé. There is even a book out now titled Big Macs & Burgundy by Vanessa Price. It’s fabulous and it would have saved a lot of guests their sour faces before the plunge into their cloying white zin.

A stand-out moment for me was when famous chef Jeremy Charles slathered the buns with peanut but‑ ter at a social gathering. In this instance, although we didn’t have it, I would be inclined to serve the moist burgers with, you probably guessed it, a dry amon‑ tillado sherry. Two steps away from the sticky syrup that my grandmother would drink, and maybe three dollars more in price.

Plain Burgers with Ketchup If you’re doing plain hamburgers with ketchup, say for your children, or if you’re a supertaster, and all other condiments repulse you. Serve yourself, but hopefully not the children, a Sangiovese. You can find this grape at the forefront of Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino.

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Chicken Burgers If you’re switching the beef for chicken, make it Champagne. Blanc de blancs Champagne, or any kind of it all, so long as it’s not lying about its ori‑ gin story—it has to be from Champagne. You can trick your guests by serving a sneaky cava from Spain, a deceiving crèmant from France, or even a Canadian cool climate falsifier from Nova Scotia. But you can’t trick the palate, or the chicken burger. It likes what it likes. A crispy chicken burger and Champagne, es‑ pecially made with brioche… these are gastronomical twin flames.

Every-Topping-Imaginable Burgers If you’re like me and you plough toppings onto your burger, you’ll be asking a lot out of your red wine. The trick here is to choose a wine with considerable depth, oodles of oak, and enough jammy fruit concentration that nothing could knock it down. You need a Mike Tyson wine. A wine so bold, so fruit-laden, so chockfull of glycerin, that it won’t budge in the face of relish or chutney. That’s why California reds are the quint‑ essential burger wine. Most of them are almost im‑ mortalized on the vine with their extra hang time. And most of these old vines have survived every plague known to the vitis vinifera species, all the way from earthquakes to the poisonous glassy-winged sharp‑ shooter to the boxing matches between winemakers (see: Sideways). If a Zinfandel or Petite Sirah won’t succumb to the complete shut-down of the wine trade during prohibition, surviving as ‘church wine’, then it won’t collapse in the face of Sriracha. For the ultimate burger producers, for the serious griller, drink Turley (a favorite of mine) or Ridge. If you’ve got zinfandel in the blend, slather your burgers with bar‑ becue sauce, squeeze out the last heaving breaths of ketchup, smash it with pickles, and dig out the Skippy Smooth. Go unhinged. This wine will smolder like the fires lapping at the grease while it slips between the grill.

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Nomadic Indulgence: Must Stay Hotels And Resorts It may seem an obvious overstatement to claim anything as “must stay”, but one of our goals with Mi Magazine is to inspire you to get out and explore this amazing world for yourself and then find that perfect place at day’s end to relax and rejuvenate. With that in mind, our recommendations for where to stay will always feature hotels and resorts in North America and at least one in a unique location around the globe.

Why? Because as a Mitsubishi owner, you have the perfect vehicle to explore the open road and see where it takes you. And if that road happens to lead to one of these exceptional vacation properties, then our work here is done, at least until the next time. Let the inspiration begin!

Wander The Resort • Bloomfield, Ontario www.wandertheresort.com The town of Bloomfield in Prince Edward County, Ontario is a somewhat uninspiring two-hour drive east on Hwy 401 (The 401 Trans-Canada Highway extends coast-to-coast across the country) from Toronto. But don’t let the multi-lane excess of North America’s busiest highway fool you. Arriving in one of Canada’s newest and most cele‑ brated wine regions is well worth the drive. And there are additional warm and inviting towns to see along the way, including Port Hope, home to the renowned Olympus Burger and Cobourg with its exceptional beachfront.

Wander The Resort is a labour of love by founder Shannon Hunter and her team of relaxation experts. It highlights 10 restful cabins, each accommodating up to six guests in comfort and tranquility. Inspiration for the design is part Canadian cottage and part Nordic minimalism, with the focus on delivering a place to recharge after a full day of activities. Four cabins are lakeside, 6 are poolside. Each features indoor and outdoor dining spaces, full European kitchens, WiFi, games, books, air conditioning in the summer and heated floors for winter getaways.

Espresso and locally-sourced fresh-baked treats are available throughout the day. Dining takes place at the Clubhouse, in-room or offsite as there are so many options in Prince Edward County; you will never run out of op‑ tions. Wine lovers are certain to get their fill with a bounty of tasting rooms only a short drive or bicycle ride from the resort. Spend the day soaking in the sun on its south-facing beach, or grab a hammock on the dock or lounge chair by the pool. Wander The Resort is one of Canada’s newest resort gems.

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Kinship Landing • Colorado Springs, Colorado www.kinshiplanding.com If a downtown hotel doesn’t seem much like a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, we would like to suggest you may need to reset your thoughts on what getting away from it all really means. Colorado Springs is just an hour south of Denver and close to some of the most magnificent natural scenery in all of North America.

If you can’t find a place to escape here, you won’t find it anywhere. But, when you need to recharge after a long day of rock-climbing, skiing or any other outdoor adventure you can imagine, head back to Kingship Landing to get fully revitalized.

Homa Cafe + Bar (Homa means human in the Esperanto language) is located on the first floor of the hotel and serves hotel guests or patrons walking past looking for menu inspiration from Chef Jay Gust. Seating is through‑ out the hotel; close by a warm fire, in a cozy corner with friends or on the patio under the summer sun or indoor Greenhaus space in the winter. Looking to go offsite for a bite to eat, try heading a few blocks over to the cele‑ brated Denver Biscuit Co, you won’t be disappointed.

Rooms offer an equally adventurous take on how to unwind. Shared bunkbeds and a bunkbed party room offer casual accommodations and superior comfort. Junior suites, a Junior Queen Suite with bunkbed and a king-size Suite feature world-class amenities and comfy bedding sure to encourage guests to sleep in. The views are spec‑ tacular and for those who love fast cars and tight turns, the sight of Pikes Peak from your window is certain to stir the imagination of what a drive in Colorado Springs has to offer.

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Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise • Banff National Park, Alberta www.chateau-lake-louise.com There are few hotels around the world that you can truly refer to as iconic, but this grand hotel situated in Banff National Park on one of Canada’s most photographed lakes is certainly one of them. Whether canoing on crystal blue glacial waters in the summer, or snowshoeing across the frozen ice in winter, the sights and sounds of Lake Louise and the hotel property that sits in splendor on its shores is certain to leave a lifelong impression.

Elegant and inviting, the resort’s 539 guest rooms and suites, including the exclusive Fairmont Gold floor, range from 215 sq. ft. to a grand 900 sq. ft. two-bedroom suite. Many offer views of the lake, but even those with a front facing visage showcase the magnificent mountain scenery that surrounds this one-of-a-kind property.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a destination guests come to for the activities as much as the view. Dining fa‑ cilities include Walliser Stube with its casual, but elegant approach, as well as the newly opened Louiza, featuring a Mediterranean-inspired menu and curated wildcrafted cocktails. The relaxed theme is carried through to the Fairview Bar & Restaurant and Lakeview Lounge. Afternoon Tea is served daily, or guests can take advantage of in-room dining and just peer out at the view.

Activities at the hotel are almost endless with ice skating, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboard‑ ing, as well as hiking all available. Down time is best spent embracing the available Lake Louise Wellness activities or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the snow with your special someone.

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Mandarin Oriental • Munich, Germany www.mandarinoriental.com/munich/altstadt/luxury-hotel The renowned Mandarin-Oriental, Munich is conveniently located in the “Old Town” district. A perennial favourite of celebrities and dignitaries, it first opened in 1880 as the Johann Kilian Stützel’s Ballhaus. Five-star rooms and suites define the interior space of the hotel, while a massive grand staircase graces the main lobby.

Wide hallways lead to rooms featuring over-stuffed king-size beds, marble and wood bathrooms with soaker tubs and the latest tech. Grand views of Munich’s majestic spires are visible through large windows overlooking the city. Museums, the Opera house and the finest shops in town are all within easy walking distance of the hotel.

The famous Hofbräuhaus and Glockenspiel at Marienplatz are mere steps away. Those seeking a luxurious dinner need look no further than the hotel’s very own Matsuhisa Munich. Casual fair is served year-round at The Lounge or guests can choose from an Asian-inspired Mediterranean-style menu during the summer months at Mahjong Roof Garden on the newly design terrace. Munich is magical any time of year and the Mandarin Oriental, Munich is in the heart of it all.

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Mi Heritage

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The Dakar Rally

A History Of Mitsubishi Dominance

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Some may argue that the Paris Dakar Rally AKA the Dakar Rally may not be the most difficult adventure challenge that exists in the World today, but you’d be hard pressed to convince the motorsports commun‑ ity of anything different. Born in 1978 the Paris Dakar Rally takes place each January and is designed to separate the strong from the weak- both the human side and the mechanical aspect. The organizers have sought to make the rally as demanding as it can be but still be possible for the strong and well-prepared.

The route and the rally have evolved over the many years, the name sake is based on the original starting at the Place de La Concorde in Paris, France on New Year’s day and crossing the finish line on the Atlantic coast just outside of Dakar, Senegal.

A typical Dakar rally takes place over a two or three week period in early January, the days vary depending on the terrain however a daily average distance of 500 kilometres or more is typically covered. The kicker is the terrain – competitor’s vehicles traverse some of the most formidable real estate on the planet.

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The pace of the rally has little sympathy for mistakes or breakdowns. Teams spend nights in encampments called bivouacs and must be on the start line the next morning without fail. The original route crossed every condition imaginable; the long dusty and rocky tracks of North Western Africa give way relentless dunes of the Sahara Desert to the endless Sahel plains of coun‑ tries due south. Crossing the Tropic of Cancer brings heat and more dust, the total distance could exceed 10,000 kilometres before the lights of Dakar came into view.

Evolution of the rally saw many changes over the years, until 2008 the rally started in Europe and wound up somewhere on the African continent until terrorism reared its ugly head and the rally was cancelled last minute. The Dakar was subsequently moved to the South American continent for a period and now has landed in Saudi Arabia. Each incarnation has brought a new flavour to the rally, but the original challenge has been lived on by way of adaption to the ever-changing political, geographic and economic landscape. The

Dakar has always attracted the adventurous, either people or companies willing to prove themselves in the ultimate modern-day testing grounds.

The popularity of the Dakar has reached a world-wide audience in the millions making it one of the most watched sporting events in history. This audience brought sponsorship and professional race teams to pit their efforts against each other making the rally one of the most competitive races ever.

Mitsubishi Motors’ involvement began early in the his‑ tory of the Dakar, the automaker saw the Dakar as an opportunity to sing the virtues of the mighty 4-wheel drive Pajero / Montero and test new technology in the most arduous of conditions. The Mitsubishi Pajero be‑ came the ‘Prince of the Desert” amassing more rally wins than any other model or brand in history and making its way in the Guinness World Book of records.

The first official involvement by the Mitsubishi fac‑ tory came in 1983 when they fielded a 4-vehicle team using the rugged new Pajero that was released in May 1982. Entering a team in the Dakar rally was a logical step to prove the capabilities of Mitsubishi’s innova‑ tive 4-wheel drive vehicle. The team brought home impressive first and second places in the unmodified production class in its debut in the hands of drivers Andrew Cowan and Georges Debrussy. They also won in the team prize competition.

From this point forward the stage was set for Mitsubishi’s storied history in the World’s most de‑ manding off road event. The following year Cowan crossed the finish line in third place overall and once again won their class – modified Production.

1985 was a pivotal year for Mitsubishi and its Pajero.

Further development refined the Pajero to race

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winning form, Frenchman Patrick Zaniroli secured the lead after the rest day and never looked back. It was the first win for the Japanese automaker. Andrew Cowan worked his Mitsubishi up into second place and the team crossed the line in first and second places ahead of a number of factory-entered teams. A scant few years was all it took to develop the Pajero into a race winning vehicle.

Some of the notable milestones in Dakar history were attributed to Mitsubishi’s efforts, in fact the competi‑ tor with the most wins ever – Stephane Peterhansel, climbed onto the top step of the podium in a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution in 2004. It was his first Dakar- win on 4 wheels. The Frenchman went on to win a record total of 14 times both on motorcycles and in cars.

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Mitsubishi played a key role in a number of other com‑ petitor’s careers. The first competitor to win the Dakar on motorcycles and then in a car was Hubert Auriol who collected his first win on two wheels in 1981 then in a Mitsubishi in 1992 which signaled the start of Mitsubishi’s dominance of the Dakar Rally for the next 12 years. German Jutta Kleinschimdt became the first female to win the Dakar in 2001 that was the last ‘classique’, it started in Paris and wound up in Dakar.

At the wheel of her Mitsubishi Pajero she drove a sol‑ id race finally being awarded the win under a cloud of controversy involving a few other competitors.

As Mitsubishi’s involvement expanded, the mighty Pajeros became the car of choice among the many privateer racers. At one point there were over 60

Mitsubishis entered in a single edition of the rally often winning the Production and modified Production classes.

Another milestone in the Dakar history books was in 1997 when Pajeros occupied the top four finish‑ er spots in the overall standings. The following year Mitsubishi once again swept the top 4 places with the French pairing of Jean Pierre Fontenay and Gilles Picard leading the Pajero sweep.

The 2002 Dakar rally was one of the most memorable for the Mitsubishi team, over that year’s 9,257 kilo‑ metres between Arras in Northern France and Dakar the top nine places in other overall standings were oc‑ cupied by the Pajero.

Such unprecedented dominance had never been seen and perhaps never will, with a record-setting 7 consecutive victories and 12 overall wins Mitsubishi proudly closed the curtain on its Dakar efforts.

Constant technological development kept the Pajeros running up front and always one step ahead of its competition that development still plays an import‑ ant role in the Mitsubishi cars driven today.

Between 1985 and 2007 Mitsubishi secured the much-coveted spot in the Guinness World book of records with its 12 wins. The number of victories in individual classes for either production cars or modi‑ fied production cars is almost countless, needless to say the Mitsubishi trophy room is well stocked.

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Mi Spotlight

2023 Mitsubishi Mirage

MSRP for base ES starts at under $15,000 Fuel efficiency, reliability, comfort and safety have earned the Mitsubishi Mirage industry accolades including Vincentric’s Lowest Cost to Own Vehicle in the Subcompact Segment (2022). These are the key ingredients that go into making a truly great subcompact car. But with its recent redesign, Mirage has brought class-defining style to that recipe too.

The entire front end of Mirage has been completely redesigned to proudly display the signature Mitsubishi Motors Dynamic Shield design. The revised design draws attention to the wideset headlamps, delivering a wider and more stable presence. The styling cues it creates sweep around the sides, toward the nose of the car in a protective embrace. Combined with the bold grille lines and the available integrated fog lamps, the Mirage has a sharp and purposeful look.

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Towards the rear of the car, a new, wider bumper has been crafted. Its lines echo the styling cues from up front, giving the Mirage a lower and wider stance that optimizes the proportions of its hatchback design.

This is further enhanced by the design of the new L-shaped (LED) tail lamps.

Mirage also benefits from the available multi-spoke, 15” alloy wheels which, combined with the changes to

its sheet metal, bring a characteristic style that com‑ bines a sense of motion, protection and craftsman‑ ship to Mirage that makes it unique in the subcom‑ pact class.

But Mirage is more than just stylish, it’s remarkably safe too.

To further enhance safety but also provide occupants with utmost convenience, drivers and passengers will enjoy more refinement with new fabrics and an avail‑ able large 7” Smartphone-link Display Audio system.

Thanks to its integration with available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Mirage will help ensure eyes are kept on the road.

Mirage comes equipped with a wide array of safe‑ ty features and technologies including seven airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), Hill Start Assist, four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System, Active Stability Control and Mitsubishi Motors’ patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) impact-absorbing safety cell technology. In the event of a collision, the RISE system’s energy-absorbing body structure helps to dissipate kinetic energy away from the driver and passengers.

Mitsubishi Motors’ efficiency-first engineering phil‑ osophy is behind a weight management strategy that offers structural optimization and extensive use of high-tensile steel for the overall structure, resulting in low overall weight and excellent structural rigidity.

While this philosophy has obvious safety benefits, like those found in Mitsubishi Motors’ RISE system, it also greatly enhances fuel efficiency by creating a strong, lightweight chassis that underpins an aerodynamic body design.

In addition to this, Mirage integrates available ad‑ vanced semi-autonomous technologies in the form of Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM) with Pedestrian Detection. This highly advanced system of cameras and laser-radar work in conjunction to de‑ tect both vehicles and pedestrians to prevent colli‑ sions or, in the case of something unavoidable, reduce the severity.

The Mirage continues to utilise a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder DOHC engine featuring the latest version of Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) variable valve-timing system that maximizes fuel ef‑ ficiency and power output while greatly minimizing exhaust emissions.

Mirage also benefits from the latest generation of available Lane Departure Warning (LDW) technology.

LDW uses an onboard camera to monitor lane posi‑ tioning in front of the vehicle. If, for one reason or an‑ other, Mirage begins to unintentionally leave its lane, the system will audibly and visually alert the driver to ensure safe travel ensues.

That means this engine is extremely efficient. In fact, Mirage is the most fuel efficient gas-powered non-hy‑ brid vehicle on the road in Canada, according to 2022 Natural Resources of Canada (NRCAN) Fuel Efficiency Ratings. It delivers a fuel economy of 6.6/5.6/6.2 city/ highway/combined L/100 km when equipped with the optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Efficiency, reliability, comfort, safety and style. Mirage has it all plus a price that can’t be beat!

2023 Mitsubishi Mirage Starting MSRP for base ES*

$14,298*

*MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price in Canadian dollars not including PDI, freight, applicable taxes, and all other fees/ charges. Pricing is for information only and not an offer. See your Mitsubishi dealer or visit https://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca for details.

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Digital Focus

Where In The World Is Brian Chow?

Auto reviews are an important part of the customer journey. They help prospective buyers of new cars learn about the latest features and find out the good and the bad from an automotive expert. For the auto reviewer, life is a constant cycle of flights and long drives to destinations all over the world to test and critique the latest and greatest vehicles. One of the early auto reviewers on YouTube and a fixture on the circuit is Brian Chow of Everyday Reviews. He’s been on YouTube since 2014 and that has taken him around the globe to drive vehicles in Asia, Europe, and right here in Canada where he tested both the gas Outlander in a year-long loan, and more re‑ cently the all-new 2023 Outlander PHEV. Let’s learn about the media side of the automotive business.

BRIAN: It was a lot easier it seemed, there was a lot

teddy bear, so it was a Gunn teddy bear, a peek-a-boo bear. It was actually quite good. Anyways, my second video was a car video. And the majority of the stuff was automotive but the very first was a lemon bar re‑ cipe from the Costco cookbook.

Mi: What kind of videos did you do in 2014?

Mi: So, working on Driving TV, YouTube was like a nat‑ ural segway?

Mi: What was YouTube like in 2014? less, a lot less YouTubers and a lot less competition.

And things were a little bit simpler back then.

BRIAN: Well, I believe my very first video was a... a...

lemon bar recipe from Costco

Mi: Is that what made you go viral?

BRIAN: Yeah. And then believe it or not I actually had a

few videos you would be surprised at. One is a talking

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BRIAN: That’s right, essentially my wife was sick of me going surfing around the internet every night.

Mi: People are interested in what a content creator does in automotive. What is your typical schedule or day like?

BRIAN: It is not as glamorous as everyone would think

for sure. Because you are still responsible, you have to pickup the car, you have to drop the car off, you have to fuel the car. You do have to produce content. And that can be difficult sometimes depending on what you have going on in your life. Whether you have kids or the weather, you could have a whole week of bad weather, you still have to go out and do some content for this vehicle. So, it is not just oh this car is really fun to drive. You need to know what else is out there so you can compare it. And let the viewers know the dif‑ ference between the competitors.

Mi: Your channel is very well researched.

BRIAN: I have essentially just done some of the home‑

work for the viewer, so they don’t have too. Can you find out a lot of the information on your own, abso‑ lutely. So, what I wanted to do when I started the channel, and this is for real, is that I watched videos regardless of if they were automotive. I like travel as well, who doesn’t like travel. I would watch a trip re‑ view; I am going to review this trip from Toronto to

BRIAN: My favourite gadget is the auto cast Picasso

two. If you have a wireless Apple Carplay or Android Auto, you plug this little hockey puck disc thing into a USB and that provides you with Apple Carplay or Android Auto wirelessly. It has its own processor and SIM card as well so you can upload data.

Mi: You were in the Outlander for a year. Tell us what your favourite thing was about the Outlander. And now you’ll be in a long-term loan for Outlander PHEV what are you looking forward to?

Japan. Essentially, all the trip review was pictures put to music. I was like, that’s not a review, at all”. These people aren’t giving me the information I want. So, I decided to start a channel, and I wanted to do re‑ views the way I thought they should be presented.

If I wanted to buy an electric lawn mower, what do I want to know about this lawn mower. Or what about this plane or car. That is how everyday reviews came about. I intended to put out a review everyday. That didn’t last long because I had no clue what was in‑ volved in starting a YouTube channel.

Mi: What other types of content do you film? Tech?

BRIAN: Yes, tech stuff. I am not really deep into tech, I leave that to the tech experts. Like brand new com‑ puters or phones. But other little things like camera gear, things that I actually use. Also, things that are kind of related to automobiles like dash cameras.

Certain things like that, even a solar generator which I am testing currently.

Mi: What is your favourite gadget right now?

it. It is one of the best features out there. Of course, there’s a lot of other features we love. The fact that you can slide the second-row seats forward or back to allow for more cargo room. So, we’ve had Outlander just packed in the back there. It’s just really versatile.

And I love how it’s so premium for being a non pre‑ mium car. It has more features than many of the pre‑ mium cars in the market.

cameras on the Outlander, it is absolutely fantastic.

Not just the camera itself, but what you can do with it. You can see the front tires with the touch of a but‑ ton. Other vehicles that I’ve tested or even own, none of them are as easy as Outlander.

So, moving forward into the Outlander PHEV we enjoy the same features and many new ones. We’ve already discovered just I love the little storage well that it cre‑ ates in the back for groceries. I’m really interested to see how efficiently the new PHEV will handle day to day activities. Especially in the wintertime. We al‑ ready tested the vehicle in the snow. It’s so solid with the S-AWC system. It feels like you are driving on dry pavement.

And both myself and Cynthia my wife can’t live without

And yes, I’m hoping to save a lot on fuel.

BRIAN: I don’t think anyone can really touch the 360°

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Service Tips And Advice Spring Vehicle Maintenance

Winter is fading quickly from memory and the smell of spring is in the air. Most vehicles have survived Canada’s harsh winter environment without prob‑ lems, but winter driving usually means a lot of idling time for our vehicles. Extended warm up times and slower commutes because of poor road conditions take their toll on all vehicles. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way to ensure trouble-free motoring this spring.

Under hood inspections are mostly visual. You can see the levels of brake fluid and engine coolant in their reservoirs on most vehicles. Low brake fluid could indicate a leak but if the brake pedal is firm, then it likely indicates worn brake pads. Low engine coolant is a sign of a leak. External leaks will leave a visible stain on the parts. An internal engine coolant leak is more serious as it can destroy an engine when cool‑ ant mixes with the oil. It’s time to have your Mitsubishi service centre check out your vehicle if either level is low. Also, an oil or wet spot on the driveway or gar‑ age floor may be an early indication of trouble. Your service centre can determine if it is serious or just re‑ quires some maintenance.

Spring is also time to change your engine oil. Cold starts and short trips cause a lot of condensation in‑ side the engine. Over the winter, a litre or more of water could collect in your engine oil. The water caus‑ es sludge and acids to form inside the engine. The oil level may look fine, but extended highway driving will cause the water to evaporate and your engine is now operating with low oil levels. A simple oil and filter change will help protect the engine.

While under the hood, take a look at the engine acces‑ sory drive belt or belts. Belts can last many years but if you see large cracks or chunks missing from the belt then they are due for a change. Now is also a good time to refill the windshield washer container. Spring rains and dirty roads can hinder your visibility quick‑ ly. If your vehicle sits outside most of the time, wind‑ shield wiper blades should be replaced every couple years. The rubber blades get hard with age and don’t clean well.

Washing the vehicle thoroughly is a good way to get rid of winter salt accumulations. Wash inside the wheel openings, inside front fenders, along the bot‑ toms of doors and beneath the car body as much as possible, but avoid spraying electrical components and connections. Finish the task by applying polish to the exterior paint (in a shaded location). This not only prolongs the life of your vehicle but increases its value and you will likely feel better driving it.

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Tire inspection is critical to safety. A normal tire will lose about one PSI air pressure per month and out‑ side temperature variations can cause even a larger change. Fill your tires to the recommended pressure indicated on the decal, usually located by the driver’s door jamb. Don’t forget to check the spare tire too!

Tire tread should be worn evenly across the face.

The minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 of an inch (1.6mm). At that depth, “wear bars” of solid rubber will appear across the tread pattern as a warning. Above that tread depth, the tires have enough traction for dry pavement, but if you are driving on wet or muddy roads, you need more tread depth to provide traction.

It may be time for new tires.

Spring is a good time to have the wheel alignment checked. Rough winter roads and severe bumps can wear suspension components or bend parts. During

an alignment, the technician will check the suspen‑ sion and steering for wear or damage and adjust the settings if required. A vehicle with proper wheel align‑ ment will use less fuel, increase tire life and be safer to drive.

Other items such as exhaust system pipes, mufflers and mountings require getting beneath the vehicle and are easier left to professionals. They should be inspected at least once a year, so have them checked when you have the wheel alignment checked.

A vehicle is made up of over 15,000 individual parts.

No matter how carefully everything is inspected, you can’t predict exactly what will work or fail. We have all seen those vehicles disabled on the side of the road.

Some simple inspections and a little maintenance be‑ fore you travel may be all that it takes to avoid joining their ranks.

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Ten Driving Tips For Saving Fuel And Funds Whether driving on pure gas or a plug-in vehicle, there are more ways to save than super-slow driving. With gas prices predicted to rise again past the $2/litre threshold in 2023, where Canadian diesel prices have stubbornly remained for a prolonged period, it’s worth looking at any way for drivers to save money, especially with inflation eating away at savings and raising prices everywhere.

But there can be different strategies and driving techniques depending on whether you’re driving a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle or an Electric Vehicle (EV) of any type, whether plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a battery electric (BEV) that uses electrons only. Yes, traditional fuel-saving tips such as ‘accelerate slowly’ and ‘avoid exceeding the speed limit’ will help, but newer vehicle technologies bring different efficiency strategies that may or may not be the same depending on what vehicle you’re driving.

Here then are 10 tips and strategies that go beyond super-conservative driving techniques that will help save drivers money: the first five no matter which fuel used, while the next five pertain more to plug-in vehicles specifically.

1

Look far ahead to smooth out traffic flows. This key driving and safety strategy helps drivers avoid unnecessary and efficiency-hurting full vehicle stops, especially in city driving. You’re less likely to ac‑ celerate briskly (and inefficiently) when you see a red light or stopped traffic ahead, while seeing a person approaching a crosswalk in the distance can help driv‑ ers slow down and avoid unneeded stops in the first place.

2

Be wary of traffic and construction patterns.

Avoid rush hour if possible, streets clogged with long-term construction, and even a quick check of your route before setting out through various online apps can help you save on fuel and aggravation.

3

Car care can bring savings. It’s not only oil chan‑ ges and tune-ups that can increase fuel effi‑ ciency, but basic items you can do yourself such as keeping up tire inflation levels, removing roof and bike racks when not in use, and reducing heavy items in the trunk will help as well.

4

Avoid cruise control on hills. It’s true that cruise control can help avoid little throttle blips on the highway that over time can add up faster than a con‑ stant electronically-controlled speed. But even a gen‑ tle hill can cause a cruise-controlled vehicle to down‑ shift multiple gears, raising engine revs and fuel use to maintain that speed. A wiser fuel-saving strategy is to increase speed gently (watch your speed, be gen‑ tle and within speed limits) on any downhill portion if possible before the road rises, then click off cruise right around the set speed.

5

Consider your driving patterns. Short-term, this means considering your daily schedule to com‑ bine trips, saving time and fuel. Especially in cold‑ er temperatures, all vehicles are more efficient once warmed up. Longer-term, it may mean considering where you do most of your driving, and which vehicle type will cost you the least to drive overall.

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For plug-in vehicle owners

6

Search out all home charger incentive programs.

Most potential buyers will be aware of the lar‑ ger new vehicle government rebates, like the feder‑ al rebate of up to $5,000 for a BEV or longer-range PHEV (50 km or greater of all-electric range), and sim‑ ilar amounts offered now in most provinces. But there are also various types of local government or utility green rebates which provide subsidized or low-cost loans for home EV charging stations (EVSEs), which provide a quicker overnight charge to all-electric ve‑ hicles, though the standard 110-volt charge cord may work overnight for some PHEV owners.

7

A.B.C.: Always Be Charging, especially at free chargers. Their number may be decreasing, but for maximum fuel savings, it’s worth seeking them out. But be courteous, and move as soon as you’re done.

9

Precondition the interior while charging. Having that home EVSE is super helpful for cabin com‑ fort, as you can use your app or your vehicle’s climate control timer to warm up or cool down the vehicle while plugged in just before you depart, while still leaving with a full charge.

10

Regen braking is not always your friend. While hybrids and PHEVs all offer regenerative brak‑ ing that efficiently reclaims power lost to friction heat on regular brakes, keep in mind that coasting is usual‑ ly better than regenerative braking for maximum ef‑ ficiency. So keep your eyes up, avoid coming to a full stop when possible, and extend out your regen brak‑ ing for red lights or on long downhills.

8

Study and practice your drive mode moves. Most plug-in vehicles have different drive modes that vary the level of regeneration when you let your foot off the accelerator. It’s worth checking your manual for recommendations on each one, and to keep your eyes on the ‘game-ification’ scores or ratings your mode moves achieve for you.

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Last Word

The year was 2002 and the global stage was buzzing with excitement. The Euro was officially adopted by 12 European nations as their accepted currency. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong commitment to promoting peace and democracy and working to advance human rights and social issues. While the sporting world focused on two major events; the XIX Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah and the FIFA World Cup hosted for the first time in two countries, Japan and Korea.

Here in Canada, Mitsubishi Motors made its official debut on September 3 with dealerships stretching across the country from Vancouver to St. John’s. Names such as Lancer, Eclipse, Diamante, Galant and Montero, recognized around the world for their excellence in reliability and fun-to-drive appeal, were now available to Canadians. It was an exciting time, but as the saying goes, the best was yet to come.

Today, Mitsubishi Motors Canada has more than quadrupled the number of dealers across the country and con‑ tinues to make automobiles that stir the hearts of enthusiasts, while delivering reliable, fun, practical and cost-ef‑ fective vehicle ownership to our loyal customers.

The names have changed with Outlander PHEV, Outlander, Eclipse Cross, RVR and Mirage holding the spotlight.

But one thing that remains is our commitment to deliver the best automobiles Canadians can be proud to buy and own for many years. Of course, our unparallelled 10-year/160,000 km Powertrain Limited Warranty is another reason why Mitsubishi owners love their vehicles and keep them for a very long time.

It is our pleasure to bring you the second issue of Mi Magazine and we hope you will enjoy a little more insight into the adventures that await when you own a Mitsubishi. The goal for Mi is to once again take you on a journey to interesting places, gain firsthand insight into our company, go under the hood of our newest models and experi‑ ence for yourself what it means to be part of our family.

Our drive as an automobile company started way back in 1917. For Canadians, it has been our privilege to share that journey together for the past 20 years. It’s been challenging as new technologies have forever changed the automobile landscape, but that’s what makes our industry so exciting. Thank you for trusting us to take you along for the ride. And the saying still holds true today; the best is yet to come!

Enjoy!

Steve Carter Director, Marketing Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc.

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CONGRATULATIONS

for 20 prosperous years in Canada.

ST. JOHN’S

EDMONTON SASKATOON VANCOUVER

CALGARY

WINNIPEG

QUEBEC CITY

MONCTON

MONTREAL

NEW RICHMOND

DETROIT LANSING CHICAGO

HALIFAX

TORONTO WINDSOR

CN Automotive Facilities

MEMPHIS

JACKSON

CN is proud to be Mitsubishi’s Canadian rail provider since day one!

As a leading North American transportation and logistics provider we move Mitsubishi finished vehicles from Japan through the Port of Vancouver to our automotive facilities and on to dealers across Canada. Working together for the past 20 years we have formed a true supply chain partnership - helping get Mitsubishi cars into the hands of more Canadian consumers - faster and more efficiently.

cn.ca/automotive

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