Have had the 150 for a few weeks now and thought I would post some notes. Only have 3,000 on the clock and have not had it off road as such. I got a Diesel Auto GXL.
Visibility: Firstly it feels like a 200. It has much less visibility with smaller glass area and taller panels eg, under the bonnet they fitted a plastic strip between where the guard on the 120 was and the new guard is now about 100mm taller. Plastic strip covers the gap.
Boot Space: The dickie seats fold under the floor and you lose about 100mm of boot space. When the rear seats (second row) are in their normal position you lose about 250mm of boot space. Move the seats forward and you have about the same room but you have a gap from the end of the dickie seats to the back of the second row seats. Does anyone really use the dickie seats anyway? There is heaps of space to the jack which is located some distance inside the access hole, that is if you can reach it. Only one small storage locker which is about half the size of the one fitted in the previous model. The backdoor storage is a joke. No depth but will probably be able to store a small pump soap bottle.
Tool Kit: Only the 12/14mm spanner and screwdriver fitted. The smaller 10mm spanner and pliers are not included.
Fuel Tank: It has only 150 litre tanks. The rear tank is very small and when you look under the car it appears they have jsut fitted a greatly smaller sub tank. Not sure if I am able to bolt in a 120 series tank to give the 180l. THere is plenty of room both in front and behind the sub tank.
Fuel Economy: This I admit is impressive. Sitting on the highway with 5 people and 110kmh the instant reads under 8 l/100kms. On overage with some city driving and some highway (50/50%) driving I am getting just on 9 l/100kms average over 1000kms travelled. In comparing to the 120 series (GXL Auto) I am getting about 2 l/100kms better fuel economy.
Under the bonnet: moved the inner cooler to the front of the vehicle giving much easier access to the top of the motor and installing some sound insulation in its place. There is more vertical space as the bonnet is about 100mm taller than theprevious model.
Dual Battery: There is provision for fitting a dual battery. The second battery mounting looks similar to the factory main battery in that it has a couple of locators for the tie down but some idiot fitted the air-conditioning pipes too close to the aux-battery. May need to get a pipe bender to move them about 50mm closer to the radiator.
Electronics: Keyless entry / start is impressive. It even knows if you left the second dongle inside the car. There is a cigarette lighter power point fitted in the centre console on the rear (available for the back seat users) but none fitted in the boot. Thumbs up for the blue tooth - the voice recognition works for both male and female voices which is a real plus.
Reversing Camera: Fitted to GXL but it would have helped if they gave an outline of where the vehicle would occupy a space as does the Pajero.
Noise on Road: Sounds like they have forgotten to put in noise insulation around the rear wheels. You can hear the wind and when wet, the rain noise emanating from the rear wheels. It is particularly noticeable from the back seats as it is the dominant noise.
Rear Wheel Cover: Whilst it looks great it is not practical for off road use and I am not sure if you will be able to fit the cover with real off road tyres. The stupid open ended 12mm spanner is not able to undo the retaining bolt from factory and I am worried it will mark the plastic cover.
Roof Rails: The rails are NOT slotted and are about 15mm wider than the previous model. Will need to redo the old roof rack.
Accessories: Sorry no bull bar, snorkel or dual battery holder available as yet. Please hurry ARB.
Overall: Electronics and fuel economy is greatly improved but they have done a few stupid things like reduce the boot space, visibility and fuel tank capacity.
Visibility: Firstly it feels like a 200. It has much less visibility with smaller glass area and taller panels eg, under the bonnet they fitted a plastic strip between where the guard on the 120 was and the new guard is now about 100mm taller. Plastic strip covers the gap.
Boot Space: The dickie seats fold under the floor and you lose about 100mm of boot space. When the rear seats (second row) are in their normal position you lose about 250mm of boot space. Move the seats forward and you have about the same room but you have a gap from the end of the dickie seats to the back of the second row seats. Does anyone really use the dickie seats anyway? There is heaps of space to the jack which is located some distance inside the access hole, that is if you can reach it. Only one small storage locker which is about half the size of the one fitted in the previous model. The backdoor storage is a joke. No depth but will probably be able to store a small pump soap bottle.
Tool Kit: Only the 12/14mm spanner and screwdriver fitted. The smaller 10mm spanner and pliers are not included.
Fuel Tank: It has only 150 litre tanks. The rear tank is very small and when you look under the car it appears they have jsut fitted a greatly smaller sub tank. Not sure if I am able to bolt in a 120 series tank to give the 180l. THere is plenty of room both in front and behind the sub tank.
Fuel Economy: This I admit is impressive. Sitting on the highway with 5 people and 110kmh the instant reads under 8 l/100kms. On overage with some city driving and some highway (50/50%) driving I am getting just on 9 l/100kms average over 1000kms travelled. In comparing to the 120 series (GXL Auto) I am getting about 2 l/100kms better fuel economy.
Under the bonnet: moved the inner cooler to the front of the vehicle giving much easier access to the top of the motor and installing some sound insulation in its place. There is more vertical space as the bonnet is about 100mm taller than theprevious model.
Dual Battery: There is provision for fitting a dual battery. The second battery mounting looks similar to the factory main battery in that it has a couple of locators for the tie down but some idiot fitted the air-conditioning pipes too close to the aux-battery. May need to get a pipe bender to move them about 50mm closer to the radiator.
Electronics: Keyless entry / start is impressive. It even knows if you left the second dongle inside the car. There is a cigarette lighter power point fitted in the centre console on the rear (available for the back seat users) but none fitted in the boot. Thumbs up for the blue tooth - the voice recognition works for both male and female voices which is a real plus.
Reversing Camera: Fitted to GXL but it would have helped if they gave an outline of where the vehicle would occupy a space as does the Pajero.
Noise on Road: Sounds like they have forgotten to put in noise insulation around the rear wheels. You can hear the wind and when wet, the rain noise emanating from the rear wheels. It is particularly noticeable from the back seats as it is the dominant noise.
Rear Wheel Cover: Whilst it looks great it is not practical for off road use and I am not sure if you will be able to fit the cover with real off road tyres. The stupid open ended 12mm spanner is not able to undo the retaining bolt from factory and I am worried it will mark the plastic cover.
Roof Rails: The rails are NOT slotted and are about 15mm wider than the previous model. Will need to redo the old roof rack.
Accessories: Sorry no bull bar, snorkel or dual battery holder available as yet. Please hurry ARB.
Overall: Electronics and fuel economy is greatly improved but they have done a few stupid things like reduce the boot space, visibility and fuel tank capacity.
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