Production Models

There is something about black that appeals to many. Be it clothes, accessories, and vehicles.

Mitsubishi is apparently tapping into this by coming up with the Black Series - special edition variants of its model lineup that includes the Xpander, the Montero, and the Strada.

The Black Series models sport Mitsubishi's special Jet Black Mica. (By the way, the Black Series also comes in white.)

But here we're concentrating on the Black Series featuring Jet Black Mica that projects the tough and aggressive, yet sleek, look that Mitsubishi is going for.

This is especially true in the Mitsubishi Strada Athlete Black Series edition.

All in black, the Mitsubishi Strada Athlete looks even more, well, athletic.

The black trimmings on the front Dynamic Shield grille, the side mirrors with turn signals, and styling bar. The blacked out rear spoiler and front bumper as well as the 18-inch Black Alloy Rims wrapped by 265/60/R18 tires, all make the Strada Athlete stand out even more rumbling down the road or even while just parked.

The side decals that extend from the rear door to the tailgate also make the Strada Athlete all the more an attention magnet.

The blacked out Strada Athlete looms even larger than its listed dimensions: 5305 millimeters long, 1815mm wide and 1795mm tall with 3000mm-long wheelbase and 220mm minimum ground clearance.

For those who'd like to know, the interior dimensions of the Strada Athlete pickup bed are as follows: 1520mm long, 1470mm wide and 475mm high. It also comes with cargo hooks.

Mitsubishi rolled out Black Series editions of the Strada Athlete 4WD AT and Strada Athlete 2WD.

Some exterior features shared by both include daytime running lights, LED headlamps with leveling device, LED-type rear combination lamps, front under cover, front skid plate, front and rear fog lamps, high mount stop lamp, door sash, variable intermittent windshield wipers with washer, front towing hook.

The 4WD Athlete gets rain-sensing wipers, headlamp washer, and headlamp auto-light control.

The Black Series edition features the same interior features and trim of the Strada Athlete.

Orange and black leather upholstery with the Athlete mark for the seats and trim, leather-wrapped orange stitching on gear shift and the parking brake lever that match the door trim.

The four-spoke steering wheel tilts and telescopes, is wrapped by leather with orange stitching, and comes with switches and buttons for audio and cruise control.

The driver's seat power adjusts 8-ways. The front seats have adjustable headrests. The rear bench seat for three also has three adjustable headrests as well as a fold down center armrest.

The dash features gloss black and silver accents and an instrument panel display with high contrast meter and LCD-type Multi-Information Display which can be controlled by switches on the steering wheel.

Standard comfort and convenience features include power windows, power door locks, bottle holders and door pockets on doors, cupholders on floor console and rear center armrest, grab handles, sunglass holder, map lamp, day and night room mirror (auto dimming on the 4WD).

The Strada Athlete comes with what Mitsubishi calls Keyless Operation System (with push button start) and (Smart) Keyless Entry.

There's a single-zone automatic airconditioning system on the 2WD, dual zone with rear air circulator (rear vents) on the 4WD.

The infotainment system features a 7-inch Touchscreen display with AM/FM, GPS Navigation, BlueTooth, Auxillary-In and USB ports, and Mirror Link. It plays through six speakers.

There are also twin USB ports in the rear for charging gadgets.

For those who still use them, there's a cigarette lighter as well as an ashtray.

Parking the Strada pickup is no longer as challenging with reverse camera on the Athlete with the 4WD also getting reverse sensors.

The Strada is powered by a 2.4-liter (2442cc) MIVEC Intercooled and Turbocharged Direct Injection Diesel engine that generates 181 horsepower and 430 Newton-meters of torque.

The Strada Athlete is only available with a 6-speed automatic transmission complemented by Tiptronic Paddle Shifters.

The Athlete 4WD comes with Super Select 4WD with Off road Mode.

The suspension system is your standard front independent wishbone with coil spring and rigid elliptic leaf springs in the rear.

The brake system features ventilated discs in front and leading trailing drums in the rear.

The Strada comes standard with Anti-Lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, and Brake Assist.

Standard safety features also include driver and passenger side airbags, 3-point ELR seatbelts for five, Tether Anchors and Isofix, speed-sensing doorlocks, laminated windshield.

The Black Series Strada Athlete 2WD already comes with Active Stability and Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control.

The 4WD variant gets a fuller complement of driver assist functions that include Hill Descent Control, Forward Collision Mitigation System, Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System, Blindspot Warning System and Auto High Beam.

Fuel tank capacity is placed at 75 liters.

The Black Series edition of the Strada Athlete is all about the aesthetics. But it must be said that the Athlete already has a full complement of interior convenience and safety features, as well as the power and handling, expected in a good reliable pickup truck.