The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will go on sale in United States in fall 2016 according to a press announcement at the New York International Auto Show. The top-selling plug-in hybrid in Europe with 50,000 sold since its debut several years ago, Outlander PHEV can claim to be the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV.
The Outlander PHEV move follows the introduction of the Outlander last year in the U.S. after it was on sale for almost three years elsewhere. Even though SUV sales account for 40% of the U.S. market, poor Mitsubishi U.S. sales and the Great Recession that started in 2008 roughing up all automakers precluded plugging it in here.
The U.S. version will not be the same as the Euro one to make sure its ride characteristics are not like the existing European set-up that would result in a teeth jarring journeys on decrepit U.S. roads, as well as ‘Merican tastes for comfort over responsiveness and firm control of body motions. As a result, final specifications are still unknown even to the Mitsubishi P.R. staff.
The Outlander PHEV – as it is known now – clearly reflects Mitsubishi expertise in EVs going back to 1966 when the Mustang was just becoming a sales success. Equipped with 2.0-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors, and the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a very capable PHEV.
In rally competition in Europe, it sets stage records, albeit with a larger 16kWh lithium ion battery pack and a recalibration of the gasoline engine transition from 70 mph to 100.
Driving the Outlander PHEV in the Baja Portalegre 500 was veteran driver Hiroshi Masuoka, the first Japanese driver to win back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003 in the Paris-Dakar Rally, and a participate in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb driving the record breaking EV competition vehicle MiEV Evolution III.
“What makes the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV so special is that it offers the best of both worlds with a balance of electric efficiency and long-range practicality,” said Don Swearingen, executive vice president, MMNA.
The full-time, twin-electric motor 4WD system is tuned for torque distribution for maximum traction as rally car performance shows. The motors are mounted separately at the front and rear axles. The battery that supplies the electricity for the motors is a high-capacity 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Three drive calibrations are available: EV (full electric mode), series hybrid (electric power with generator operation) and parallel hybrid (engine power and electric motor assistance). The PHEV system automatically selects the most efficient drive mode based on the road conditions. The system, of course, also has a regenerative braking mode, where electricity is captured under braking.
The S-AWC system found on the Outlander PHEV is a good example of automotive recycling since it is actually a specialized application the Lancer Evolution-derived Super All-Wheel Control.
Other safety and convenience items include: Multi-Around View Camera Monitor, Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and optional smartphone apps including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
“As previously stated, Mitsubishi’s future is crossover utility vehicles and electrified vehicles. Today we are showing the first piece of that plan,” said Swearingen. It’s a sound strategy. However is it too late? All other makers are now offering PHEVs and crossovers.
