‘Functional, affordable’ model
Mitsubishi says while it is cognisant of the fact that its pioneering plug-in-hybrid SUV will not top the sales charts, it views the Outlander PHEV as an amalgam of some of its finest work.
Speaking to journalists at the launch of the updated Outlander PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle– in Adelaide, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited, MMAL, head of product planning James Tol said that the model – the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV – was a big first step into the era of hybrid technology. “We pioneered it,” he said. “That’s really the key to this product – it’s an SUV. We learned from I-MIEV and from Lancer Evolution, and our SUV know-how all converges into this PHEV SUV product.
“For us, it’s a no compromise vehicle. We’re really focused on getting this technology into the mainstream. A functional and affordable SUV is our goal. The total package that’s actually challenging the conventional view of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.”
MMAL chief executive Mutsuhiro Oshikiri told Goauto that that Outlander PHEV was never intended to be a sales leader, but a spearhead into the electric vehicle space.
“It is not a bread and butter car,” he said. “It is a very difficult car to sell without government support.
“But it is an important car, and we want to be known as industry leaders with PHEV technology.”
Mr Oshikiri also suggested the relationship with the Renault-nissan Alliance would pay dividends going forward.
“Our partnership with Nissan, for example, will be important when it comes to this technology. Not right now, of course, but into the future.”
The Outlander PHEV reflects the exterior styling update applied to the mid-sized SUV range in April 2015, while inside, new multimedia systems have been added.
Available in two grades, the Outlander PHEV has increased in price, up $3000 to $50,490 for the entrylevel LS, and by the same amount to $55,490 for the top-spec Exceed. Both prices are before on-road costs.
On the outside, Mitsubishi’s corporate ‘dynamic shield’ grille and bumper bar has been adopted, along with LED headlights and LED daytime running lamps, while the rear bumper bar and silver faux diffuser plate are new, along with LED tail-lights with integral foglamps.
New 18-inch alloys complete exterior makeover.
The interior has been worked over with new seat fabrics – leather-accented the cloth for the LS and leather facings for the Exceed – added to more shapely front pews, while a new steering wheel, padded centre console bin and new dash finishes complete the makeover.
A new 7.0-inch multimedia system based on the company’s Smartphone Link Display touchscreen unit adds Apple Carplay and Android Auto, as well as digital radio, to both grades.
Electric folding and heated mirrors, an electronic park brake with auto hold function and a Dc-capable fast charging socket have also been added to both grades.
Both have automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, steering wheel controls, climate control air-conditioning, keyless entry and twin USB ports in the glovebox.
Paddles behind the steering wheel offer manual control over the Outlander PHEV’ s regenerative braking system, while buttons to either charge or conserve the battery are located on the centre console next to the joystickstyle gear shifter.
Mitsubishi sold 1665 Outlander PHEVS in the two years after the car’s local launch in 2013, but moved just 45 units in 2016, as the local arm elected to stop importing examples until the quick charge DC plug was added in the latest update.