Canada’s favourite weather networks take delivery of eight official all-weather vehicles.

Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada recently announced a three-year partnership with Pelmorex, the parent company of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia. This means that for the next three years, the reporters and content creators who work for these two broadcasters will be driving specially-wrapped 2024 Mitsubishi Outlanders.

“We knew The Weather Network journalists needed vehicles that could handle severe weather in all parts of the Canadian landscape, and the Outlander was ideal for this because of its advanced safety features and Mitsubishi’s legendary Super All-Wheel Control system,” says Kenji Harada, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. “We’ve already received some excellent feedback from The Weather Network reporters about how the Outlanders have helped them in some extreme weather situations.”

One of the reporters sharing their feedback is Mark Robinson, better known as The Weather Network’s Storm Chaser. “I’ve taken the Outlander on a few storm chases this summer so far, and I can say that I’m impressed,” he admits. “I’ve had other chase vehicles that were far more difficult to handle on the variety of road types that storm chases lead me down, and this is the first one that feels like it can handle all of them. From gravel in the pouring rain to pavement, also in the pouring rain, the Outlander really feels like it’s sticking to the road. I’m really impressed by this vehicle so far. Next up, hurricanes and blizzards!”

While not everyone employed by The Weather Network or MétéoMédia is daring enough to head into the kind of storms that everyone else is trying to avoid, they do have to deal with the kind of weather and road conditions that almost all drivers dread. That’s why a go-anywhere-at-anytime vehicle like the Outlander is a welcome addition to the team.

“The vehicles are an integral part of the journalists’ abilities to tell their stories,” Harada adds. “They provide a safe and reliable home base to work from while on the road. The large interior cargo space also gives plenty of room for storing camera gear and other needed equipment.”

The Outlander boasts a generous 1,822 L (64.3 cu.ft.) of cargo space and can tow up to 907 kg (2,000 lbs.), when properly equipped. An available foot-activated, hands-free power liftgate is height adjustable, and ideal for those occasions when the wind is blowing, the rain or hail is falling, and the reporter’s hands are full of camera gear that can’t be placed on the wet ground while they fumble around for the button that opens the liftgate.

“Official All-Weather Vehicles”

The eight new Outlanders aren’t technically part of the Pelmorex fleet. In other words, Pelmorex isn’t simply adding these vehicles to what we might think of as a traditional corporate fleet. Instead, this initiative is more of a partnership and collaboration between Mitsubishi, The Weather Network and MétéoMédia.

In fact, the Outlanders have been designated “Official All-Weather Vehicles.” Harada explains why: “Mitsubishi Motors has been an industry leader and innovator around all-wheel control systems for decades,” he explains. “In 1988, we were the first to introduce computerized all-wheel drive technology that integrated steering, brakes and suspension together.

“This state-of-the-art system continues to evolve and lives on with our newest generation of Super All-Wheel Control that can be found in the Outlander being driven by these journalists. So, with all that said, the term Official All-Weather Vehicle appropriately captures a partnership between two brands Canadians rely on in all weather conditions.”

About the Outlander

All the 2024 Outlander GT models Pelmorex has taken delivery of are powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder direct injection engine that has been rated at 8.9L/100 km (combined). All vehicles come with a CVT transmission and with Mitsubishi’s motorsport-derived Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, which offers six drive modes, allowing drivers to feel confident in all weather and road conditions.

ECO mode optimizes fuel economy. NORMAL mode offers a balance of fuel efficiency, traction, stability and handling. TARMAC mode boosts performance, delivering enhanced agility when driving on dry, paved roads. SNOW mode improves traction and stability on snow-covered and icy roads. MUD mode is designed for driving through mud, as well as deep snow. Finally, GRAVEL mode is ideal for off-road conditions, especially when chasing storms off the beaten path.

“This partnership is a first for us,” says Tami Coughlan, Head of Sales and Operations for Pelmorex. “The reason we embarked on this partnership with Mitsubishi is really because of the mandate we have at The Weather Network and MétéoMédia to keep Canadians safe and informed about the weather. We want to arm them with the information they need so that they can stay safe, and plan for the days and weeks ahead.”

The addition of eight Outlanders to weather offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia will allow reporters at The Weather Network and MétéoMédia to go out as far as they need to in order to cover daily weather events, and then get back to their offices at the end of the day, safe and sound.

“The Mitsubishi Outlander GT is ideal for the job,” Coughlan adds,” because it was built to take on all types of terrain, and because it’s safe and reliable.”

Advanced safety systems

These Outlanders are equipped with an array of safety systems and advanced driver assistance systems that are sure to come in handy as The Weather Network and MétéoMédia staff head out to tackle road conditions that most drivers avoid.

Besides a full lineup of airbags, including side-impact curtain airbags and seat-mounted side-impact for both the first and second row, there’s also a front centre airbag that prevents the driver and front passenger from knocking heads during an impact, as well as driver and passenger knee airbags that go off during a front-end collision.

Each vehicle comes with Active Yaw Control (AYC), which improves cornering and vehicle stability, and is designed to keep the Outlander moving in a straight line, even when dealing with strong winds or slippery road conditions. AYC controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels, and the system is sophisticated enough to direct torque to any wheel, in any amount, at any moment.

For added peace of mind, every Mitsubishi, including the eight that are now being driven throughout Canada by The Weather Network and MétéoMédia reporters, comes with a 10-year/160,000 km powertrain warranty, a 5-year/100,000 km new vehicle warranty, and with 5-year/unlimited km roadside assistance.