Mitsubishi announced that at this year’s Paris Motor Show it will bring the all-new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV. According to the Japanese manufacturer, the new car is not a mere adaptation of an existing or a dedicated Plug-in Hybrid technology showcase. The Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (or “PHEV”) promises to share its architecture with the soon-to-be-introduced New Outlander’s ICE versions. So, what to expect? Well, Mitsubishi says that its first Plug-in Hybrid car will be an EV-based vehicle relying on its extensive EV and electronic know-how and supplemented by a petrol engine. Mitsubishi says that this solution is more suited to global markets than diesel.
Moreover, the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV will be the first permanent 4WD electric car in series production. Just like the other plug-in hybrids on the market, the new crossover will offer unique drive train combination of front electric motor + rear electric motor + front traction/generator petrol engine, which translates into a choice of three driving modes: Pure (Twin Motor 4WD EV), Series (Twin Motor 4WD - EV supported by generator) and Parallel (ICE engine supported by Twin Motor 4WD).
Mitsubishi promises a long haul range and very low emissions similar to that of the Concept PX-MiEV II show car, which was capable to offer a driving distance of over 800 km and a CO2 target below 50 g/km. The Mitsubishi Outlander Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV is expected to hit the market in 2013.
