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The sporting life, with all its zest for living in the fast lane, is coming to Mitsubishi Motors for 1997.

Mitsubishi is bringing out an all-new Montero Sport model for ’97, a five-passenger sport utility vehicle (SUV) that’s a bit of a downsized version of the seven-passenger Mitsubishi Montero.

While casting a smaller shadow than the senior Montero, it is engineered to provide the strength and premium features of its larger sibling.

Robust ladder-frame chassis construction, robust powertrains, and state-of-the-art suspension systems make the Sport equally at home on the highway or off-road.

Expected to be in Indianapolis Mitsubishi dealerships next month, the new SUV also is designed to be affordable.

“They (Mitsubishi) haven’t given us any prices at yet,” said Collins Mitsubishi sales representative Kent Green. “But I’m going to estimate it’s going to be in a range from $22,000 to $30,000.”

That range would cover models from the entry-level ES to the top-of-the-line XLS, with the LS in between.

Mitsubishi’s engineers have had the good sense to retain the senior Montero’s basic foundation of 107.3 inches of wheelbase and front suspension design for the ’97 Sport.

The overall length, however, is shorter at 178.3 inches – compared to 186.6 for the senior Montero — when the Sport’s spare tire is stored under the cargo area. Other dimensional differences for the Sport include a lower overall height and a little more ground clearance.

The Sport also is lighter. Curb weight for an ES five- speed is 3,435 pounds compared to a 4WD Montero LS at 4,385 pounds.

As an ES, only a five-speed with rear-drive is available. But by stepping up to an LS model, a five-speed gearbox with four-wheel-drive is available. In the XLS, only 4WD and an automatic are offered.

Following this same design theme relative to engines, you can get away with less power for the lighter ES, which features a 2.4-liter (142-cubic inch), 16-valve four-cylinder engine.

This in-line four utilizes a single overhead camshaft and produces 134-horsepower and 148 foot-pounds of torque. This is pretty good power output for a single cam, and comes close to the sports-car performance benchmark of 1-horsepower per cubic inch. And the 148 foot-pounds of torque give the ES a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds, sufficient to haul a Jet Ski, a dirt bike, or a variety of tent trailers.

Of course, if you want to do any heavy hauling you need a Sport LS or an XLS with a V-6, the only engine offered for these two models. There, the towing capacity rises to 5,000 pounds.

The 3.0-liter (181-cubic inch) V-6 also is single overhead cam. Power output is 173-horsepower with 188 foot-pounds of torque. That’s good for pulling a 24-foot sailboat or a two-horse trailer.

The V-6 and the Sport’s shift-on-the-fly, four-wheel-drive system is expected to be the preferred package. In addition to its superior towing capacity, a V-6 Sport LS with 4WD has a high level of standard power equipment ; premium fabric upholstery; concealed cargo boxes in the floor; a full logistic stereo system; an outside power antenna; rear wiper/washer and dark privacy glass from the B-pillar rearward.

The upscale XLS is a true luxury SUV with leather, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel; a full range of power accessories; premium stereo; CD controls; and an anti-theft system. The model is distinguished by a chrome grille accent, integrated fender flairs, side steps, and lower body accents painted in a metallic beige.