The final chapter of the 2004 changes to the Magna and Verada range occur with the release of the Verada GTVi AWD ‘QuadTec’ model, and the general freshening up of the remainder of the range in October. This began with the rationalisation of the Magna sports range in July, when the VR models were discontinued, and the VR-X 2WD and AWD models became the sporty models in the Magna range.

Similarly, the Verada model line-up has undergone a similar reduction with the combining of the Verada GTVi (2WD) and Verada AWD models, to create the Verada GTVi AWD ‘QuadTec’. The complete Verada range is now Ei, GTVi AWD and Xi.

All Verada models now have larger and more distinctive front and rear bumper bars that provide significant model differentiation from Magna models, while other external design changes include new design 10-spoke and multi-spoke 16” x 6” alloys on both the Ei and Xi models respectively. The GTVi AWD gets new design 7-spoke 16’ x 7” alloys. Tyres fitted to all models are 215/60R 16; the Ei and Xi get Turanzas, while the GTVi AWD gets the performance Grid II tyres.

The front grille for Verada Ei and Xi is argent with bright tips and border, and the lower grille is body coloured. At the rear a ‘Series II’ badge is located beneath the model name on the trunk lid.

Inside, a leather-wrapped handbrake lever is added, to complement the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, and steering wheel audio controls are added to the Verada Ei and GTVi AWD (they were already standard on Xi).

The GTVi AWD gets all the standard features of the Verada Ei, but also boasts the 159Kw high-performance engine, larger ventilated disc brakes all round with twin-pot calipers on the front (as per the previous Ralliart Magna and VR-X AWD models), GTVi badging remains on the right-hand side of the lower edge of the trunk lid, ‘AWD QuadTec’ badging is added on the left-hand side of the lower trunk lid, and ‘AWD’ badging is added on the lower edge of the two rear doors. The front grille is argent with a bright border, the fog lamp surrounds are darkened (rather than bright in the other Verada models), and the rear lamps have a darkened, more sportier look.

Inside, the GTVi has a full black dash, black carpet, and black embossed leather-wrapped steering wheel. Seats and door trims are black leather, with perforated inserts, and the armrest console lid is also stitched black leather. The floor console, HVAC panel and power window switch panels feature a mid-grey metallic look finish to round out the sports luxury looking interior.

The following changes have also been made to the Magna range:

ES

• Body coloured headlamp bezels,
• ‘Series II’ badge added beneath the model name on the rear trunk lid,

LS (wagon only, 2WD sedan deleted from the range,)

• Body coloured headlamp bezels,
• ‘Series II’ badge added beneath the model name on the rear trunk lid,
• Changed seat trim sew pattern

LS AWD (2WD sedan deleted from range, Magna AWD becomes LS AWD)

• Body coloured headlamp bezels,
• ‘Series II’ badge added beneath the model name on the rear trunk lid,
• Changed trim materials and sew pattern,
• 16” x 6” sparkling silver new design alloy wheels,
• ‘AWD’ badge fitted to lower edge of rear doors,
• ‘AWD QuadTec’ badge fitted to left-hand side of lower edge of trunk lid,
• ‘LS’ badge fitted to lower right-hand side of the trunk lid,
• the ‘V6’ front fender badge is deleted,
• the ‘AWD’ logo is added to the instrument cluster,
• two speakers added to the audio system, to make eight speakers (in lieu of six),
• colour-coded protective mouldings,
• colour-coded exterior mirrors.

Added to the existing extensive list of standard features that includes, power steering, power windows on all windows, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, climate control air conditioning with rear seat ducting, driver and passenger air bags, side air bags, power assisted disc brakes, fully independent suspension, ABS (with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and remote keyless entry with engine immobilisation and panic alarm and Magna is fully equipped with all the desirable convenience and safety features demanded by today’s consumer.

Magna and Verada continue to be powered by the same silky smooth 3.5 litre SOHC 24-valve V6 petrol engine that develops 155kW of power at 5250 rpm and 316Nm of torque at 4000 rpm in the ES, LS and Verada Ei and Xi models. The high-output version of the engine in VR-X AWD and Verada GTVi AWD develops 159kW of power at 5500 rpm and 318Nm of torque at 4000 rpm, and 163kW of power at 5200 rpm and 317Nm of torque at 4500 rpm in the 2WD Magna VR-X version.

Transmission is still a five-speed manual on ES, LS wagon and VR-X (2WD), and the acclaimed INVECS II intelligent automatic transmission with ‘Sports Mode’ sequential shifting function on all models. The automatic is four-speed on the ES and LS wagon, and five-speed on LS AWD, VR-X and VR-X AWD, Verada Ei, GTVi AWD and Xi.

No change has been made to the suspension of the 2WD models, although the LS AWD and GTVi AWD have unique settings to deliver a more sporty, all-wheel drive experience . The front suspension is a MacPherson Strut and coil system, while the standard independent rear suspension for the sedan range is a mult-link and coil system. A front and rear stabiliser bar is fitted to enhance ride and handling. The rear suspension on wagons is a five-link rigid axle system that is ideal for carrying heavy loads.

The new colours – Platinum, Zen and Fusion – that were launched at the time of the VR-X AWD introduction in mid-year are now available on other models, so that the full range is now:

The current TL series Magna ES is recognised as one of the best value-for-money new car purchases currently on the Australian market, as it has a long list of standard features that are optional on other marques. That value story continues unabated with the new TW series as pricing is unaltered.

Both the Ei and GTVi AWD Verada models also represent even better value for money, with a number of big ticket items added without a price increase. For example, the Ei gets the larger front and rear bumpers and other external styling changes, leather-wrapped handbrake lever, and steering wheel audio controls added without a change to the recommended retail price of $42,950.

Similarly, the GTVi AWD picks up the external Verada styling changes, leather-wrapped handbrake lever, steering wheel audio controls and the all-important ‘QuadTec’ all-wheel drive system without a change from the current KL Verada GTVi 2WD recommended retail price of $46,990.

The revised TW Magna and KW Verada ‘Series II’ range goes on sale at Mitsubishi dealerships from mid October 2004.