Geneva show: Mitsubishi outs updated Outlander

MITSUBISHI has revealed the new look of its facelifted Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that hides substantial updates to the petrol-electric powertrain for improved performance and an expected boost in driving range.

Set to be unveiled at next month’s Geneva motor show, the new Outlander PHEV will be joined on the stand by the rest of the updated, yet-to-be seen Outlander range.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia head of corporate communications and government relations Karl Gehling told GoAuto the revised Outlander SUV line-up was scheduled to go on sale in the second half of the year, but that all updates revealed in Geneva might not make it Down Under.

“The updates are unique to the European and Japanese markets,” he said. “We will not see all of the changes announced adopted in the Australian specification vehicles,” he said. “However, we are considering them for future updates.”

In plug-in form, the outgoing version’s 2.0-litre Otto cycle petrol engine has been supplanted by a 2.4-litre Atkinson cycle unit, yielding an increase in torque, but to what level is still unknown.

The rear electric motor output – previously 60kW – has also been increased by 10 per cent, as has the generator and drive battery output, while battery capacity has increased 15 per cent, from 12kWh to 13.8kWh.

The boosted battery is expected to increase the Outlander’s all-electric driving range – up from 54km – but Mitsubishi will detail specifications at next month’s Geneva motor show.

The current Outlander’s petrol-electric hybrid system has a combined output of 120kW/320Nm and can be recharged from zero to 100 per cent from a 10-amp household socket in 6.5 hours.

Its fuel consumption is a claimed 1.7 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions are 92 grams per kilometre.

Aside from the powertrain updates, the revised Outlander PHEV also gains two new driving modes – Sport and Snow – in addition to the existing Normal and 4WD Lock settings.

Externally, the new Outlander PHEV receives a few small changes including new LED headlights, rectangular front foglights, larger Dynamic Shield front grille, more prominent rear spoiler and redesigned 18-inch wheels.

Interior changes include new leather upholstery, updated seats, revised switchgear, the inclusion of second-row air-conditioning vents and new instrumentation.

While not yet confirmed, it is expected the same exterior and interior changes will migrate to the rest of the Outland mid-size SUV range when the covers are pulled off next month.