The recently introduced Mitsubishi Outlander Trail Edition is a bit of an oddity. Despite its name, there isn’t any additional off-road capability built into the package, with the same engine, suspension, and tires as the SE trim upon which it’s based. But that may change if a recent Canadian trademark listing is to be believed. Mitsubishi filed for something called the Diamond Trail Edition, with an associated logo that superimposes the wording over the existing trim level’s three-peak imagery. We hope that means some more capability for the Outlander, though it could also signify a higher equipment level for the existing Trail.
More Capability Is Hopefully On The Way
The addition of “diamond” branding to the Trail Edition name suggests the newest trim level will slot in near the top of the Outlander’s existing hierarchy. In our dreams, that means the SUV will have a revised suspension, perhaps including higher-riding springs and retuned dampers for better control off-road. The Outlander’s existing S-AWC all-wheel-drive system has distinct drive-mode settings for snow, sand, mud, and gravel, but it would also be nice to see the SUV adopt a limited-slip or locking rear differential, like the twin-clutch unit found on the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands.
That, plus a standard set of all-terrain tires, such as the crossover-friendly Continental CrossContact ATR or Firestone Destination AT rubber found under some of the Outlander’s rivals, would go a long way toward helping Mitsubishi recapture its formerly rugged image. That reputation, built on the backs of the Dakar-winning Montero/Pajero and the rally legend Lancer Evolution, could help the automaker distinguish itself further from its Nissan parent company.
The Diamond Could Also Be A Luxurious New Trim
It’s possible, however, that the Diamond Trail Edition will retain the lesser trim’s mechanical specs and merely sub in some more luxury features. The existing 2025 Trail Edition, for example, is largely based on the Outlander SE. The Diamond Trail Edition could instead be based on the flagship Platinum trim level, which incidentally gets trim-exclusive Black Diamond paint with an alloy silver roof.
If that’s the case, the new, rugged-looking model would receive a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, a higher-quality 12-speaker Yamaha audio system, three-zone climate control, and genuine leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats. Considering the 2025 Trail Edition costs $4,100 more than a 2025 SE, we could expect an Outlander Diamond Trail Edition to demand around $48,000 – the 2025 Platinum is a $44,445 affair.
Source: Canadian Intellectual Property Office via TMView
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
