Supply constraints force change
Mitsubishi has made modest specification and pricing changes to its popular Outlander SUV range as the brand continues to be impacted by what it says are ongoing supply constraints and increasing material, manufacturing and logistical costs.
In introducing its MY22.5 Outlander line-up, the importer adjusted the standard specification levels of certain variants, saying the decision would optimise production and minimise supply delays for its SUV customers.
Mitsubishi Australia chief executive Shaun Westcott said the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander remained the bestequipped vehicle the company had sold in Australia, boasting a newly developed platform and powertrain, bold and distinctive exterior styling and a refined interior with high-end finishes.
Exceed and Exceed Tourer variants face a price increase of $500 and $1000 respectively and retail from $48,490 and $50,990 plus on-road costs. Specifications for the pair are unchanged. Entry-grade Outlander ES variants now feature power window one-touch up and down on the driver’s window only, while Outlander LS variants lose their powered tailgate. Pricing for both variants is unchanged, still from $34,490 and $37,990 plus on-road costs, respectively.
In the middle of the range, the Outlander
Aspire loses its full-digital driver display in favour of a smaller 7.0inch multi-information display. The variant is still priced from $41,490 plus on-road costs.
The MY22.5 Mitsubishi Outlander range retains the five-star ANCAP safety rating issued to 2022 models.
Updated petrol-powered Outlander variants are expected in showrooms from April, just ahead of the arrival of the revamped plug-in hybrid range.
Due in Australia from mid-year, the
highly anticipated Outlander PHEV range promises significantly increased range over the outgoing line-up, the new drivetrain offering between 83 and 87km of all-electric driving range, up from 54km in the outgoing model.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited says pricing and specifications for the Outlander PHEV will be revealed closer to the model’s launch.
Goauto understands an increase of up to 40 percent in the performance of the Outlander PHEV is expected,
in part due to more efficient electric motors and a larger 20kwh battery.
A carryover internal combustion engine and 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol unit from the preceding model soldiers on for the latest PHEV update.
That engine produces 98kw-195nm and is paired to a duo of electric motors making 85kw-255nm at the front and 100kw-195nm at the rear.
Petrol range is increased due to the inclusion of a larger petrol tank, while the brand’s Super-all Wheel Control,
S-AWC, adopts Active Yaw Control, AYC, for the rear axle to better split the torque between the axles as required and torque vectoring by brake is also included to split drive from left to right.
The Outlander PHEV is produced as a five or seven-seater, rides on 20-inch wheels and is available with a twotone paint scheme.
It is also fitted with Mitsubishi’s latest MI-PILOT7 safety and driver assistance suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and following assistance, traffic sign detection, blind-spot assistance, forward and rearward autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and driver fatigue monitoring.
The system is also capable of using map data to automatically adjust vehicle speed for corners and ‘other circumstances on expressways’ while automatically starting after the vehicle in front has moved on from standstill within 30 seconds.
Further, the Mitsubishi Connect smartphone app enables owners to check on the vehicle’s remaining range remotely, set charging times and locate it when parked.
Mitsubishi added the original Outlander PHEV to its line-up in 2013 and says the electrified medium SUV had since sold more than 270,000 around the world by the end of 2020.