Mitsubishi has launched it's latest 4WD in Australia – an all-new Challenger – underlining the vehicle's off-road credentials with dirt-track hot laps with two time Dakar Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka. However, the company is also keen to promote the Challenger as a family wagon with more than acceptable manners on black top and has set it's sights on conquest sales from owners of large cars and `pretend' four wheel drives.

“We believe there is demand in Australia for a mid-size serious SUV,” said Mitsubishi Motors Australia president and CEO, Robert McEniry. “We also recognise that the vehicle needed to be stylish with high levels of on-road comfort and driveability,” he said. Challenger's rivals include Nissan's Pathfinder and Toyota's recently released Prado. New Challenger offers five or seven seats models. In the Mitsubishi stable it sits between Outlander SUV and large 4WD Pajero.

Mitsubishi have not made that mistake this time and the new Challenger shares its engine and driveline with the new Triton – launched seven weeks ago – and also some components in the front suspension, but has an all-new rear end also with coils, while workhorse Triton retains leaf springs. Challenger uses the same 2.5 litre common rail inter-cooled turbo-diesel engine – there's no petrol option – linked to either a five speed manual or optional five speed automatic transmission with sports mode on the entry level LS, and standard on the top-of-the-line XLS.

Like all genuine off-roaders, Challenger sits on a full ladder-frame chassis which is re-inforced with light-weight, high-strength steel. The front suspension is double wishbone while the rear is a three link design using coils. Stabiliser bars are fitted to control body roll while four wheel discs provide braking. Challenger is capable of towing 2500 kg (braked) with a 10 per cent ball load. For the Australian market the company is looking at conducting further tests to see if the towing rate can be increased above 2500 kg.

Keeping in mind the vehicle will spend most of it's time as a family runabout, Mitsubishi have given buyers the option of five or seven seats, with the third row featuring a 50/50 split which delivers versatility by offering six seats plus some luggage space. Even the entry level five-seat LS Challenger is well equipped with 17 inch alloy wheels, plus a full size alloy spare wheel, side steps, chrome exterior door handles and mirrors and roof rails. Standard fare includes air conditioning, steering wheel mounted cruise control and audio controls, power windows with driver automatic up and down, remote keyless entry and central locking, single CD player with six speaker system, leather steering wheel, gear shift, hand brake, and transfer lever, colour centre display and audio jack for MP3 player.

We drove an automatic XLS to the 4WD drive park from the Gold Coast and on the return journey had a five speed manual XL. Visually the Challenger looks the part of a serious off-roader with bold styling, and good entry (36 degree) ramp over (23 degree) and exit (25 degree) angles. It sits 215 mm off the ground so there's a decent step into the cabin. The seats are comfortable and offer a very good driving position. On all the Challengers we tested the build quality was not perfect, in particular the SRS airbag cover on the passenger side dashboard was an ordinary fit.

Challenger's off-road comfort levels exceed it's on-road comfort which is to be expected. But, it's no truck. The compromise between capable off-roader and SUV/car-like ride on road is a hard balancing act, but the Challenger does well. We took the car on medium tracks which involved steep climbs, even steeped descents over a terrain of rocks, tree roots and a clay base. In overall terms the Challenger delivers the off-road goods that would meet the expectations of the family off-roader. Engine braking in the auto version off-road leaves a bit to be desired with the engine running up to 2000 rpm while locked in first gear. So a feather of the brakes was needed on particularly steep descents.

Our drive with dual (2002-2003) Dakar Rally champion Hiroshi Masuoka, also a Mitsubishi works driver, including climbing a deeply rutted track first using low range four wheel drive (unsuccessfully) and then switching on the rear differential lock which saw us through to the top in ease. Hiroshi also took us for a high speed spin on the park's tracks and it was not hard to see why he was able to win the world's toughest rally twice. The Challenger offers more off-road capability than most drivers will need.