PLUG AND PLAY

Mitsubishi’s new SUV promises emissionsfree motoring without range anxiety

Mitsubishi believes plug-in hybrids are the missing link in the transition to electric cars. Buyers have been lukewarm about the technology to date, but the brand predicts its new Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) will change that.

On paper, plug-in hybrids appear to offer the best of both worlds – electric driving in the city and petrol power for longer trips.

The Outlander can run on pure electric power for up to 84km and has a potential driving range of more than 800km, thanks to a bigger petrol tank. It has another trick up its sleeve, too – it can power your house.

The car’s substantial 20kwh battery – up more than 6kwh on the previous version – can store energy from household solar for later use. It can also send power back to the grid and has a vehicle-to-load function with two on-board power points that can run small appliances for use at camping grounds or work sites.

Unfortunately, government regulations don’t permit vehicle-to-grid transfers, but Mitsubishi argues that buyers will be “futureproofed” when the technology is approved for residential use.

The battery will take-nine-and-a-half hours to completely replenish via a standard home power point or six-and-a-half hours with a home wallbox charger. Regenerative braking adds charge to the battery every time the car slows and stops in traffic.

It has two electric motors – one on each axle providing all-wheel drive – and a 2.4-litre petrol engine. These combine for 185kw and 450Nm, which is 28kw and 118Nm more than the previous version.

The Outlander can operate in three different modes.

It can run on battery power only with the engine switched off – ideal for daily commutes – or the petrol engine can work as a generator, charging the battery but not powering the wheels.

In this mode, it drives like an electric vehicle, with instant torque delivering brisk acceleration. The final mode operates like a conventional hybrid, using electric power to supplement the petrol engine and reduce fuel consumption.

There’s a catch, though. Plug-in hybrid technology remains expensive compared to traditional self-charging hybrids.

The Outlander costs about $15,000 more than the equivalent petrol model. It’s available in four grades and prices start at $54,490

(before on-road costs) for the ES, rising to $68,490.

Cheaper ES and Aspire grades have seating for five, while the pricier Exceed and Exceed Tourer versions add a third row. The extra seats are best saved for kids and smaller teenagers.

The boot is smaller than petrol Outlanders and there is a tyre repair kit in lieu of a spare.

All Outlander PHEVS are generously equipped, though.

The cheapest model has 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, a 360-degree parking camera and Apple Carplay/android Auto connectivity.

Standard safety gear is comprehensive. Every version will stop automatically if it detects a potential collision with a car, cyclist or pedestrian. It will also keep you centred in your lane and let you know if a vehicle is in your blind spot.

The ES misses out on rear cross-traffic alert that’ll sound an alarm and brake if it detects a car approaching from the side as you reverse.

More expensive versions have heated front seats, quilted leather upholstery and plush interior fit-outs.

On the road the PHEV feels zippy off the mark thanks to its initial electric propulsion. It’s quiet, too, as the petrol engine only kicks in during heavy acceleration.

Soft suspension handles smaller bumps well but can take some time to recover after bigger imperfections.

There is more body roll than other similar sized SUVS. All-wheel drive grip puts the ample power reserves to ground with no semblance of wheel spin and it makes light work of dirt roads.

It is genuinely fuel efficient in city traffic, bettering its fuel claim in the first 100km. Once the battery is drained, though, fuel use rises dramatically.

Mitsubishi Australia boss, Shaun Westacott, admits the brand failed to properly educate the public properly on the original Outlander PHEV, which sold in modest numbers. He says the technology is a stepping stone to electric cars and a way to cut emissions immediately with zero investment in charging infrastructure.

Whether that pitch will resonate with customers remains to be seen.

VERDICT

It’s expensive compared with petrol cars, but this well-equipped SUV has game-changing technology to justify the price tag.