Compared with its predecessor the new 380 range is a substantial improvement in value-for-money buying in the large car market. This is particularly so in the upper price line models where there has been significant market growth in the last few years. Around 70% of private Large car buyers purchase models other than the base model (that is, these buyers buy the higher price models such as Acclaim/Futura, XR6/SV6, Fairmont/Berlina, Ghia/Calais etc).

The upper luxury 380 LX (5-speed automatic with ‘Sports Mode’) and upper sports luxury 380 GT (5-speed automatic with ‘Sports Mode’) models at $46,490 and $47,990 respectively. This recommended retail price (RRP) represents a substantial improvement in value for money, and provides an obvious competitive RRP advantage over the key rivals – Calais at $53,290 and Ghia at $52,860. When the major specification advantages that the 380 LX and 380 GT have over these competitors are taken into account – both LX and GT have standard Electric Sunroof, 5/10 warranty and 5 year roadside (with the GT model having Premium 5 Year Roadside Assistance) – the LX/GT value for money advantage is very substantial.

Apart from being exceptional value for money against the Calais and Ghia the upper luxury 380 LX gives the lower luxury large car buyer, who traditionally buys a Berlina or Fairmont, access to features such as Electric Sunroof, Leather Trim interior, 5-speed automatic with ‘Sports Mode’ and electric control passenger seat, at a substantially better RRP than either the Holden or Ford, making the 380 LX an excellent value for money alternative to either Berlina or Fairmont.

The luxury 380 LS (5-speed automatic with ‘Sports Mode’) model, priced at $40,990, is well below its major rivals – Berlina (RRP $43,450, giving the 380 LS a $2,460 RRP advantage) and Fairmont (RRP $43,195, giving the 380 LS a $2,205 RRP advantage). It has basically similar specification levels, except that the 380 LS has the advantage of five-speed automatic versus four-speed automatic, 5/10 warranty and 5 year roadside assistance.

The new sporty 380 VRX model, with its sporty ride and driving dynamics, starts at $38,490 for the 5-speed manual version. This is well below both the equivalent Commodore SV6 at $39,690 ($1,200 below), and Falcon XR6 at $39,710 ($1,220 below). When the major specification advantages that the 380 VRX model has – climate control air conditioning, front side airbags, and 5/10 warranty, and 5 year roadside assistance – are taken into account the VRX overall value for money advantage is again substantial.

The 380 VRX 5-speed automatic (with ‘Sports Mode’) model is priced at $39,990. With its RRP at a similar level to both the SV6 and XR6 automatic models ($39,690 & $39,710 respectively), the same specification advantages listed above for the manual model again give the automatic VRX a healthy value for money advantage over these major rivals.

Starting at $34,490 for the 380 5-speed manual model, Mitsubishi is providing an entry level model that boosts features such as climate control air conditioning, front side airbags, and all-doors power windows – features that the major players in the large car market only provide as standard equipment in higher priced models – at an RRP price point below both major players (Commodore entry model base RRP = $33,650 (a/t) + $2,250 for air conditioning = $35,900 ; Falcon entry model base RRP = $34,880 for new BF manual).

The 380 5-speed auto model, with standard ‘Sports Mode’, is priced at $35,990. Unlike Ford which has provided a 6 speed manual and 6 speed auto to a very small cross section of the large car buying public (the 5% or so of buyers who drive manual transmission or the 5% or so of buyers who can afford to buy a Fairmont Ghia), Mitsubishi is the first local manufacturer to provide access to a 5-speed intelligent automatic transmission with ‘Sports Mode’ technology to the other 90% of the large car buyers. With the same features advantage as the 5-speed manual model above, combined with the advantage of 5 speed auto with ‘Sports Mode’ (Commodore and Falcon only have 4 speed auto on base models), the 380 5-speed auto model represents substantially better value for money than either of the two main players in the large car market (which are both priced at a similar level to the 380 – Falcon XT auto at $35,880 and Commodore Executive auto at $35,900, with air conditioning).

With the Safety and Style Pack (16” Alloys + Traction Control) added to the 380 5-speed auto/’Sports Mode’ standard model for an additional charge of only $1,500, the resultant RRP of $37,490 provides an RRP advantage of $2,000 over the Holden Acclaim (RRP = $39,490), and $1,685 advantage over Futura (RRP = $39,175). When the major specification advantages that the 380 model has over these competitors in this area are taken into account – climate control air conditioning, 5-speed automatic, 5/10 warranty and 5 year roadside assistance – the overall value for money advantage is clearly very substantial.

However, Mitsubishi’s positioning for 380 as a sporty, agile large car also considers other models as competitors. From the VRX model up its Euro styling and handling places it against the likes of Honda Accord, Honda Accord Euro, Nissan Maxima and Mazda 6, and the 380 is equally competitively priced against those cars.

Mitsubishi’s 380 has an extensive list of standard features – a powerful and torquey Euro 3 compliant 3.8 litre V6 engine, fully independent suspension, large turbo-fin ventilated front and rear disc brakes with 2-pot calipers on the front, four channel four sensor ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, anti-theft alarm, VIN-encoded immobiliser, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, power steering, power windows on all doors, power external mirrors, cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, 10-function trip computer, power driver’s seat with lumbar support and adjustable headrest, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, rear ELR seat belts, remote central locking with 2-stage unlock integrated into key fob and panic alarm, audible seat belt reminder, 2-DIN security coded AM/FM radio with single CD and MP3 compatible audio system with six speakers.

Option pricing:

Metallic / pearlescent paint	$300
Safety and style package (TCL & 16” alloy wheels) – available on 380	$1,500
Power tilt and slide sunroof – available on 380 and VRX	$2,000
Power seat upgrade (leather with 10-way driver’s seat with 3 memory settings and 6-way passenger’s seat) – available on LS	$3,750
Sports tuned suspension with a strut tower brace – available on 380 and LS	$990
Leather sports seats / electro-chromatic mirror / driver and passenger sunvisor extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors – for VRX	$3,000

In summary, the new Mitsubishi 380 range represents great value for money, with all models priced extremely competitively against its major competitors. The Sports and Luxury models are particularly well priced, providing a substantial competitive advantage, while the feature content of the entire 380 model line-up means that Large car buyers have access to high value features at more affordable pricing than was previously the case.

Note: As always, RRP (recommended retail price) is subject to change without notice.

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