The Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference (RJC) recently met in Japan to award the upcoming Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid SUV with its ultimate clean tech award, the RJC “technology of the year” award for 2014.
The Mitsubishi Outlander’s hybrid EV System features a high-capacity battery that sends juice to separate front and rear motors, and uses the gas engine primarily as an electrical generator. The gas engine can be engaged to drive the wheels whenever the ECU decides that’s the most efficient way of moving the SUV forward in a given driving condition – just like Chevy’s own plug-in hybrid Volt, except with all-wheel drive and room for more passengers.
After many years without significant new product offerings in the US, Mitsubishi seems to be on a bit of a roll of late. The Mirage CVT we tested last week was light, nimble, and fun around town, as well as generally adequate on the highway- not bad for being the highest MPG car you can buy (that’s not a hybrid). The company’s new Outlander Sport Crossover recently received the independent IIHS’ highest Top Safety Pick + safety rating, an honor it shares with a few Volvos and Tesla’s über-safe Model S sedan. Good for them.
You can find out more about Mitsubishi’s elegant plug-in hybrid system in the video, below, and let us know what you think of this extra-big AWD Volt-ish SUV in the comments at the bottom of this page. Enjoy!
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