Spied: Next Mitsubishi Outlander Revealed!

We first got a taste of what Mitsubishi had in mind for its next Outlander/Pajero SUV at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, when the small (ailing?) company introduced a concept that traded heavily on the brand’s impressive off-road history. While that concept gave us a sense of the company’s future styling direction, though, these pictures from Indian Autos Blog show a completely undisguised 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander/Pajero … and it looks great!

The new Mitsubishi Outlander (Pajero) is set to debut at the 2015 Bangkok International Grand Motor Sale/Show, which is also expected to see the introduction of an all-new Mitsubishi diesel engine that will produce more than 300 lb-ft of torque from just 2.4 liters.

As for me, I’m hoping we’ll finally get the award-winning plug-in hybrid version of the Mitsubishi Outlander here in the ‘States- and that it’ll be wearing this sexy new skin when it and if it does arrive!

Still, I’m just the one guy- and probably not a buyer on this, anyway- so it hardly matters what I think. What do you guys think? Is this latest redesign going to help push the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander to new sales heights, or will it end up being a final footnote in the brand’s story before they pull out of North America forever? Check out the (depressingly low-res) images, below, then let us know what you think in the comments.

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander (Pajero) SUV

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Source | Images: Indian Autos Blog.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Entering 1,300 Mile Asia Rally

A rally team will drive the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the Asia Cross Country Rally across over 1,300 miles of harsh mountain and jungle terrain.

The cross-country rally starts in the resort city of Pattaya in Thailand, and ends in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, going through dangerous jungles and past ancient wonders like Angkor Wat. To handle the rough terrtain, engineers are going to give the Outlander PHEV a front-to-back makeover. Mitsubishi turned to Two and Four Motor Sports rally team to make the necessary modifications.

A competition suspension will give the Outlander more wheel travel to get over difficult obstacles, with reinforced mountings raising the ride height. The S-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system is being recalibrated for extreme off-roading and better traction in adverse conditions. Add to that an underbody skid plate, snorkel, some lightweight body components, and roll cage, and you’ve got a hybrid SUV to handle a seriously harsh race. Drives have six days to go complete 1,367 miles, or 2,200 kilometers over mountains and through swamps.

Mitsubishi has not been shy about throwing its hybrid and electric vehicles into serious motorsports competitions like this rally or the Pikes Peak hill climb. It’s a great way to showcase how exciting and fun these cars can be, and it builds credibility with the enthusiast crowd as well. The Asia Cross Country Rally sets out on July 1st.

Will the Outlander hybrid make it all the way and win some extra bragging rights?

Source: Gas 2.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Proves Its MPG

Mitsubishi claims its Outlander plug-in hybrid has a driving range of 824 kilometers, or about 512 miles. But we all know such claims can fall short in real world driving, which is why Härkingen, the Swiss importer for Mitsubishi, decided to verify the factory’s numbers.

Felix Egolf – a pioneer in the field of ultra-efficient driving over long distances – was hired to drive the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV from company headquarters to Basel and then through the Vosges mountains to Metz. From there, Egolf went through Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands before ending his journey at the offices of the Dutch Mitsubishi importer in Amstelveen. In total, the route used highways about 40% of the time, but the rest of the journey was on back roads and in mountainous terrain.

At Amstelveen, the Mitsubishi Outlander had covered 729 kilometers and had 90 kilometers of range remaining. So Egolf then drove the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to a photo shoot in Amsterdam and then on to Utrecht. When he filled the tank, the Outlander has covered 830 kilometers in mixed driving, 6 more than the factory claims possible under ideal conditions.

For once, factory numbers were achieved in real world conditions and Härkingen can assure its customers they can expect their fuel economy to closely match the factory estimate. Mitsubishi has made an effort to deliver better MPG ratings in light of several high profile fuel economy downgrades in the past year.

Congratulations Mitsubishi on selling a car that does exactly what you said it would.

Source: Gas 2.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Making A Comeback As Hybrid

Mitsubishi has always had a reputation as a scrappy rabble rouser, producing competitive sports cars like the early Eclipse, and later the Lancer Evolution. These were some of the first cars to legitimately challenge American standbys like the Mustang or Camaro, and a new report rekindles rumors that the Lancer Evo will return as a sporty hybrid.

It appears that rumors of the Evo’s demise were greatly exaggerate, though it’s easy to see why. Mitsubishi is currently undergoing a major transformation, especially in North America where it has slashed its lineup almost in half. Gone are nameplates that have been around for decades, including Eclipse, Galant, and Lancer. But a new hybrid Lancer Evolution is said to be in development (such rumors go all the way back to 2010), and will be so radically different from the rest of Mitsu’s lineup, past or present, that its likely to have an entirely new name.

While a new Mitsubishi Lancer compact car is said to be in the works, and riding on a Renault platform as part of a new alliance, the Lancer Evolution will get an entirely different platform and name. The next Evo is said to be a showcase vehicle loaded with high-tech goodies, including a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid system with performance, rather than fuel economy, at the forefront.

Mitsubishi is charging forward with plug-in hybrid technology in vehicles like its new Outlander PHEV, and after years of consolidating the small Japanese carmaker appears to have turned a financial corner. Engineers are said to be considering a more powerful, production version of the 1.1 liter turbo engine that debuted in the XR-PHEV concept, paired with a couple of small electric motors at both the front and rear, allowing for all-wheel drive like Evo drivers are used to. Output is said to be as much as 500 ponies, and new batteries will be small enough to fit under the rear seats, allowing for optimal 50/50 weight distribution.

The timing is right for a Lancer Evolution successor, and turning a well-known sports car into a hybrid is sure to get a lot of attention. If Mitsubishi can pull this off, they may just inspire other automakers to follow a similar path. This green writer approves.

Source: Motor Trend

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Gets Europe’s Top Safety Rating

The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is shaping up to be one of the most impressive new car launches of the brand’s history, with 140+ MPG fuel economy and an advanced, all-wheel drive system collaborating to earn the room crossover the RJC’s Technology of the Year award. Mitsubishi didn’t stop at class-leading technology, though- the brand has responded tobattery safety concerns by building this thing like a tank, and Mitsubishi’s Outlander is following up its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ performance by scoring the maximum 5 Star rating in Europe’s NCAP battery of crash tests.

Not bad, guys. Not bad at all!

You can read more about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s European crash test scores in the company’s official press release, below.

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV EARNS MAXIMUM 5-STAR RATING IN 2013 EURO NCAP

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that the company’s Outlander PHEV mid-size crossover/SUV featuring MMC’s own Plug-in Hybrid EV System has been awarded a maximum 5-star rating in the 2013 Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), an overall safety rating system for new models launched in Europe*1. Euro NCAP puts new cars through some of the world’s toughest safety tests, including an array of crash tests.

String of Awards Redeems “@earth TECHNOLOGY”

This recognition is the latest in a string of awards that confirms MMC’s @earth TECHNOLOGY, the technologies that embody MMC’s Drive@earth pillars of environmental responsibility, driving pleasure, and toughness and safety – all of which are combined in the Outlander PHEV, the pinnacle of @earthTECHNOLOGY.

The Outlander PHEV was awarded the “Car of the Year Japan* 2013-2014′s Innovation Award” for its environmental performance and motive performance.

In addition, the Outlander PHEV’s Plug-in Hybrid EV System was recognized for its environmental performance and driving dynamics by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan*3 (RJC), which in November named the plug-in hybrid EV system the “RJC Technology of the Year 2014.”

About the Outlander PHEV:

The world’s first plug-in hybrid crossover/SUV, the Outlander PHEV is an “electric car that changes itself” and represents a fusion of the EV technologies developed by MMC for models such as the i-MiEV, 4WD technologies honed in the Lancer Evolution, and SUV know-how gained from the Pajero (Montero or Shogun in some countries).

The Outlander PHEV is fitted with a combination of several advanced safety features including e-Assist*4 advanced safety technologies, Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE*5) high-rigidity impact safety body and SRS air bags and harmonizes high levels of performance in environment, safety and premium quality.

Source | Photos: Mitsubishi, via Autoblog.

Mitsubishi shows Outlander PHEV’s eTransmission

The GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission found within the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV powertrain is being showcased at the Frankfurt Motor show this week.

To be precise, it is being exposed as GKN revealed a cutout of this eTransmission.

Mitsubishi calls its Outlander PHEV the world’s first Twin Motor 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle with ability to charge on-the-go.

Mitsubishi Motors’ new Twin Motor 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric crossover is powered by two 60 kilowatt electric motors, one in the front and the other one in the rear.  They are fed by a large capacity lithium-ion battery while a gasoline engine and a generator are also part of the powertrain.

 

The GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission used as the front transaxle helps transfer this power in forward motion; GKN said this eTransmission helps optimum performance in three different driving modes with two different power sources:

• Pure EV mode, with the vehicle’s front axle and rear axle driven only by the electric motors, the front motor being attached to the GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission. Energy is sourced from the battery.
• Series Hybrid mode, with the combustion engine driving a generator to charge the traction battery on-the-go whilst the car is still only driven by its front and rear electric motors;
• Parallel Hybrid mode, with the combustion engine’s torque feeding through to the GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission to the front wheels via a hydraulic clutch which remains disengaged in both other modes. Front and rear motors then supplement the gasolime engine. Battery charging still occurs too.

GKN declared in Frankfurt the Multi-Mode eTransmission’s lightweight, compact design honed for high efficiency adds to the car’s extraordinary low CO2 tailpipe emission of 44 grams/kilometer.

“In their quest to find appealing packages for low carbon mobility, the vehicle manufacturers are exploring all possible avenues,” said GKN Driveline’s global engineering director Rob Rickell. “With the new Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi Motors has broken new ground and we are excited to have played a key role helping make this innovation a reality.”

Source: GM-Volt.com

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Sales to Commence in Japan in January

Mitsubishi Motors has had a rough time of it lately, and the Japanese automaker needs a big hit to remain a viable contender in the car market. Their trump card is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle), which goes on sale in Japan on January 24.

The propulsion system consists of two 60 kW (60 kW = 80 HP) electric motors powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery bank, and a 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder MIVEC gasoline engine.Each of the two 60 kW (80 HP, combined: 160 HP) electric motors is independent (there is one on each axle), while the gas engine produces 85 kW (117 HP) and 137 pound-feet of torque (186 Newton-metres) at 4,500 RPM.

This plug-in hybrid has an electric driving range of 37.4  miles, and the combined fuel efficiency rating is 67 km/L (178 MPG US, also known as 1.5 L/100 km). The hybrid efficiency is 18.6 km/L (44 MPG US, also known as 5.4 L/100 km), and the hybrid system allows the Outlander to operate in three different modes.

EV Mode

In this mode, the vehicle uses electricity only from the battery, allowing the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to achieve  its highest efficiency. As you might expect this mode uses only the motors and battery for propulsion, and this mode can be used to silently enter or leave neighborhoods late at night, or during early morning hours to avoid sleep disturbance.

Series Hybrid Mode

As series hybrids sometimes do, the gas engine generates electricity to power the vehicles 60 kW motors when the battery’s SOC (state of charge) is low. In this mode the gas engine charges the battery pack, with the electric motors still doing a bulk of the work. There is also a Battery Charge Mode in which the gas engine generates electricity to charge the battery. This is similar to how the Chevy Volt works when the battery is depleted.

Parallel Hybrid Mode

This mode is activated when the vehicle attains high speeds to provide the vehicle with additional power. In this mode, the gasoline engine provides most of the power, and the electric motors assist it when going uphill. This is the least efficient, but most powerful mode, allowing the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV an unparalleled amount of vehicular versatility.

The MSRP is ¥3,324,000–¥4,297,000 (US$38,972–$50,380) in Japan, including consumption tax. But is anyone in America really willing to spend that kind of money (or likely even more) on a Mitsubishi?

Source: Green Car Congress

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Plugin Hybrid at Paris Auto Show

As far as plug-in cars go, the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) has to be one of the most important vehicles making its debut this year at the Paris Auto Show. 

The first vehicle to launch under Mitsubishi’s ambitious goals to offer plug-in hybrid or all-electric versions of every car it sells within 4 years, the 2013 Outlander PHEV is the plug-in hybrid variant of Mitsubishi’s popular crossover SUV.

It will be offered for sale starting in 2013 alongside an internal-combustion engine version of the same vehicle. 

Due to launch in Japan early next year, followed by a slow global rollout in Europe and North America, the Outlander PHEV has two, 60-kilowatt electric motors, one driving each axle. 

In all-electric mode, it can drive for around 20 miles on a full charge from its 12 kilowatt-hour battery pack.

When the battery pack is depleted, or extra power is required, a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine can operate in range-extender mode, powering a 70-kilowatt electric generator. Alternatively, it can drive the front wheels directly. 

Built to compete directly with cars like the LexusRX450 and other luxury crossover vehicles, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will be the first plug-in hybrid SUV to hit the market.

There’s no details on pricing or launch schedule yet, but given what we know so far, would you want one? 

Source: Green Car Reports

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Targets 143 MPG With 3 Driving Modes

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi has been in a bit of a lurch these days as its aging product lineup has a hard time competing with newer, more exciting and fuel-efficient vehicles. But Mitsu is hoping that its Outlander plug-in hybrid vehicle can recover some of that lost mojo.

Give Mitsubishi credit, they are at least aiming high, with a combined fuel economy goal of 143 mpg for their upcoming hybrid SUV.

Big SUV With Big MPGs

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) will utilize a hybrid system that couples a 2.0 liter gas engine with a pair of electric motors, one for each axle. What makes this system unique is that it can operate in pure EV, series, or parallel hybrid modes. In EV mode, the 12 kWh battery can drive the Outlander for about 34 miles without using a single drop of petrol. That is about the same range as the Chevy Volt, and certainly isn’t shabby for a big Japanese SUV. The similarities to the Volt don’t end there.

Many Modes, One Vehicle

Once the battery is depleted, the 2.0 liter gas engine becomes a gas generator, charging the battery while electric motors continue to propel the Outlander. Finally, at higher speeds, the gasoline engine will join the electric motors in powering the Outlander, reverting to standard parallel-hybrid mode.

With a fully-charged battery and a full tank of gas, Mitsubishi claims the Outlander PHEV will have a range of 547 miles, and will consume fuel at a combined rate of 61 km/per liter, which roughly translates to 143 MPGe. 

Wowzers! Whether those numbers hold up to U.S. market standards remains to be seen, but the Outlander PHEV could be exactly what Mitsubishi needs to get the wheels rolling again. A high-efficiency SUV like this is exactly what the American market needs. But the question now becomes…what will it cost? We’ll have to wait to find out, as Mitsubishi hasn’t released pricing details yet.

Mitsubishi needs to come up with some bold vehicles to get back in the game, and the Outlander PHEV is a good start. But it alone won’t turn around Mitsu’s fortunes. The all-electric i-MiEV is a decent attempt at making an affordable EV, and rumors speculate that the next Lancer Evolution could get a diesel-hybrid setup. But these cars can’t come soon enough for the ailing automaker.

Look for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to hit dealerships worldwide sometime in the next year.

Source: Gas2.0