Mitsubishi Motors releases RVR compact SUV

TOKYO February 18, 2010; Japan Today reported that Mitsubishi Motors Corp on Wednesday rolled out the new RVR sport utility vehicle featuring a compact body, ‘‘jet fighter’’ front grille design and affordable prices that start at 1,785,000 yen. The 4.3-meter-long, 1.8-liter SUV has a fuel economy of 15.2 kilometers per liter for its two-wheel-drive model and 15.0 km for its four-wheel-drive model.

The good fuel efficiency, which stems partly from a regenerative braking system, entitles purchasers to Japan’s eco-car tax reduction system, Mitsubishi said. The automaker said it targets both young people and couples no longer having to look after their children as the most likely purchasers of the SUV. In the Japanese market alone, it aims to sell 1,500 RVRs a month in the initial year of marketing.

The suggested retail price of the new SUV’s top-of-the-line model fitted with the paddle shift gear changer as standard equipment stands at 2,449,650 yen.