Mitsubishi previewed the GT-PHEV concept earlier this month ahead of a Paris Motor Show debut. At that time, it delved deeper into the design than automakers typically do during the average sneak preview, but it left some key details for the official world premiere. Now that the Paris Motor Show is underway, Mitsubishi has done the full dive, releasing powertrain details and opening the doors to let the world into the sleek, high-tech interior.
We already knew that the Grand Tourer-PHEV's beating heart was a plug-in hybrid powertrain with three electric motors and an engine teaming up for 745 miles (1,200 km) of range, 75 (120) of which are purely electric-driven. What we didn't know were the details about those three power plants.
The engine is a 2.5-liter unit that can be fired up in both series hybrid mode, acting as a generator, and in parallel hybrid mode, directly motivating the wheels in conjunction with the motors. For the latter, it works with a two-speed front transaxle, running a high reduction ratio gear at higher speeds to improve fuel economy and a low reduction ratio gear for better acceleration when climbing or overtaking.
Mitsubishi has placed a 121-hp (90 kW) motor up front and dual 60-hp (45 kW) units at the rear, all powered by a 25-kWh battery pack mounted under the floor. This triple-motor system is an evolution of the twin-motor system used on the Outlander PHEV and is designed for a responsive, performance-oriented ride.
The multi-motor four-wheel drive works in conjunction with Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) dynamics system, which comprises an active front differential, active rear yaw control and active stability control. The system is designed to improve cornering, acceleration, traction, stability and braking, giving the GT-PHEV a spirited but stable ride through all types of driving conditions. Separately, the suspension height and damping adjust according to conditions, too.
The GT-PHEV's ride is also fine-tuned with help from a connected vehicle platform, relying on information from the telematics system, onboard sensors and cameras.
"When the driver enters the destination into the onboard navigation system, connected car technology searches for information about the weather, temperature, topography, roads and surface conditions expected en route," Mitsubishi explains in a press release. "On this basis, it provides optimal energy management and thereby contributes to better fuel economy. In addition, optimal and automatic control of the triple-motor 4WD drivetrain's front/rear, left/right torque split enables safer, more comfortable motoring."
Mitsubishi didn't show the interior space behind the wide-opening, B-pillar-less doors in its original announcement, so Paris provides a first look at the interior. The burgundy leather ties the look together with the floating burgundy roof, and a broad "horizontal dashboard" dominates the driver's area.
Front and center is a digital instrument cluster with engine speed, vehicle speed and other basic vehicle information. It can also be switched over to navigation mode. That display is flanked by two smaller displays that show the view from the left and right side-view cameras. A head-up display on the windshield provides additional vehicle and navigation information, helping the driver set his or her eyes straight ahead. Rotary shift and terrain selectors are housed on the high, sloped center console.
We looked at the exterior design when Mitsubishi first announced the GT-PHEV, but it's added a few details. The "dynamic shield" front grille is built with adaptive shutters that manage drag reduction and cooling. The distinctive split front lighting design relies on higher daytime running lamps/turn indicators to increase visibility among pedestrians and lower headlights designed to keep light out of the eyes of oncoming drivers.
The GT-PHEV is one of numerous electrically motivated concept cars making world debuts in Paris. See more of the concept cars of Paris in our gallery.
Source: Mitsubishi
