Test Drives

For this episode, we'll be going on a rough-and-tumble ride with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines' latest versions of its iconic 4x4 beasts of burden, the all-new Montero Sport and the all-new Strada pickup.

But this isn't just any off-roading adventure, mind you. To match the technological and engineering prowess of the Montero Sport and Strada, MMPC has brought in a legendary rally driver to raise one heck of a dust storm at the dirt trails.

Want to know who that is? Well, just keep watching. And don't blink.

From the comfortable confines of the new Midori Hotel and Casino at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, 29 members of the Philippine motoring media were shuttled to the Mitsubishi Camp 4x4 in Tarlac Province on the morning of September 25, for them to meet the three icons of the off-roading world.

Froy Dytianquin
First VP - Vehicle Sales & Marketing
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines

"We are now at the Tarlac Recreational Park and of course, this is what we call the Mitsubishi Camp 4x4 by Hiroshi Masuoka. We brought again Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka to be able to demonstrate to all our media friends the capabilities of all our four-wheel drive vehicles particularly the Montero Sport and of course, we just launched the Strada GT which is actually the top of the line of the Strada pick-ups and this one is actually now is equipped with a four and one-five MIVEC Clean Diesel Engine."

And what a treat it was for motoring enthusiasts and scribes alike to be able to meet in autographs the flesh the legendary rally driver Hiroshi Masuoka, 2-time Dakar Rally champion, who was his usual cheerful self this Sunday, in full rally outfit and gamely signing autographs.

Hiroshi Masuoka
2-time Dkar Rally Champion

"I'm here to demonstrate, guys, about the Mitsubishi x-cruised off-road technology."

Arlan Reyes
Senior Manager - Ad and Promo
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines

"The Mitsubishi 4x4 Camp is usually a, this is the first time that we did this kind of event for the car clubs and the motoring media. So we'd like to teach basic 4x4 off-roading, basic muna kasi if you go extreme kaagad baka ayaw na nilang bumalik. Ayaw na nilang, 'di na nila ma-enjoy. So basic muna, and if they get the hang of it, they might get interested and they want to pursue this kind of extra-curricular activity. We brought seven (7) Mitsubishi vehicles, two (2) of them, the all-new Strada GT and the remaining five (5) are the various variants of the Montero Sport. With the all-new Strada GT, it's now fitted with the new four and one-five Clean Diesel MIVEC Engine. It's a very powerful engine. It's fuel-efficient. We'd also like to test or to demonstrate to the media, the MItsubishi Active Stability and Threshold Control and the MItsubishi Super Select Four-wheel Drive-two System.

Well we have customized, this Tarlac Recreational Park. We made a 2.2 kilometer light-rail, all of our guest can drive by themselves with the help of, of course, instructors from the group of Pepon Marave and Charlie Cruz. Everyone has to, has the chance to experience basic 4x4 off-roading."

The members of the media had a fun time trying out the all-new Montero and Strada on the off-road trail, where they were able to feel for themselves the new technologies infused with the Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control system.

Shortly afterwards, it was off to the 1.5-km Tarlac Circuit, where Masuoka himself would give a taxi ride, so to speak, for the media members to demonstrate further the improved stability and handling of the new Montero Sport.

Pepon Marave
Track Director
Mitsubishi 4x4 Camp

"This is a race track we designed for small motorcycles, go kart and small compact cars. It's a 1.5 kilometers long, we have eleven (11) right corners and seven (7) lefts and it's a very technical and twisty track. This is also the same track that was used in the Celebrity Car Wars in the History Channel so it's a good track, they liked it very much.

Superior, very very superior. Especially the new Montero, the comfort, the technology, you know, the traction control system. They can really see and appreciate it here. It really will save you from a big accident and even if you're just a novice driver, you will feel like an expert because the car is really helping you drive well."

But the best part of the day was just about to appear round the bend, as media members were in for one more grand treat from the great Masuoka.

As expected, members of the media had nothing but praises, and amazement, both for the rally man and the machine.

By the end of the day, the all-new Montero Sport was covered with mud and dust, and probably had some wear and tear on its tires, but the 4x4 Camp certainly proved a point.

And you don't have to go to the boondocks to experience the new technologies of the all-new Montero Sport and Strada.

Senior Manager - Ad and Promo
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines

"I'd like to invite everyone, please come to our showrooms. We have a new Strada, this is fitted with the new four and one-five MIVEC Clean Diesel and also the Montero Sport, the same engine. I think you would find this the best value for money, SUV and pick-up truck."