The good oil on diesel Outlander

The2.2-litre turbo oiler, made byPSA Peugeot, is seen as a “must-have” for Australia.

Mitsubishi Australia's Lenore Fletcher says the company wants the diesel versions here as soon as possible.

The PSA diesel is the product of a joint development program with Ford. It's also used in the Land Rover Freelander 2 and is related to the two-litre Ford Focus diesel.

In the Outlander, the 2.2 will replace a two-litre turbo-diesel from Volkswagen, lifting power from 103kW to 116kW and torque from 320Nm to 380Nm.

The relationship between Mitsubishi and PSA — which comprises Peugeot and Citroen — is cosy. The three marques jointly own factories in Europe and share the Outlander's platform and most of its body panels.

Citroen calls its Outlander clone the C-Crosser. Peugeot's version is the 4007.

The downside is that none ofthem offers the diesel with automatic transmission.

Australia will get a six-speed manual for the Outlander. The same transmission will be fitted tothe Lancer sedan, which is also getting a diesel engine.

Fletcher says Mitsubishi definitely wants an automatic gearbox for Australia, but can't say when it will arrive.

The diesel Outlander follows the announcement in May of a diesel engine for Mitsubishi's two-wheel-drive Triton utility range.

This 2.5-litre, common-rail, direct-injection model is aimed at courier drivers, small-business owners and tradespeople seeking fuel economy.

Mitsubishi is also pushing for its innovative “i” mini-car to come to Australia, but has been frustrated by some issues with compliance. It is believed the main issue is the structure of the doors.

Lenore Fletcher has indicated Mitsubishi Australia will consider marketing the plug-in electric version of the “i” once those issues have been resolved.

Three months after killing off the locally made 380 because of poor sales, Mitsubishi is also thinking of selling a big car again.

It would be based on the Concept ZT, shown at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, which seems close to production and is believed to be a replacement for the Galant and 380.

The ZT was shown with the 2.2-litre turbo diesel intended for the Outlander and Lancer, although mated to the Lancer Evo's twin-clutch automated manual.