Published June 18, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will introduce the all-new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV At the forthcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show ("Mondial de l’Automobile"), running between September 27 and October 14.
Neither a mere adaptation of an existing Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) – powered vehicle, nor a dedicated Plug-in Hybrid technology showcase, the New Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (or “PHEV”) will share its architecture with the soon-to-be-introduced New Outlander’s ICE versions.
According to Mitsubishi, “it will be the first mainstream car from a major manufacturer envisaged from the outset with built-in provisions for either ICE or PHEV power trains.”
As Mitsubishi Motors’ first plug-in hybrid car, it will be an EV-based vehicle, supplemented by a gas engine when needed – a solution MMC considers more suited to global markets than diesel.
Making use of Mitsubishi’s 4-Wheel-Drive expertise, it will also be the first permanent 4WD electric car in series production.
The New Outlander PHEV unique drive train combination of front electric motor plus rear electric motor plus front traction/generator gas engine will translate into a choice of three driving modes:
Pure (Twin Motor 4WD EV)
Series (Twin Motor 4WD - EV supported by generator)
Parallel (ICE engine supported by Twin Motor 4WD)
When fitted to the New Outlander, the Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid system will allow for a long haul range and very low emissions similar to that of the Concept PX-MiEV II show car, i.e. a driving distance of over 500 miles and a CO2 target below 50 g/km.