Automotive

Mitsubishi to produce plug-in hybrid New Outlander

Mitsubishi will be producing both internal combustion-only and plug-in hybrid versions of its New Outlander SUV
Mitsubishi will be producing both internal combustion-only and plug-in hybrid versions of its New Outlander SUV

When it comes to hybrid cars, there seem to be two types – cars that were designed from the start to be hybrids, and cars that started out as internal combustion-only models, but that gained a hybrid option along the way. Mitsubishi Motors, however, is now claiming that its soon-to-be-released New Outlander SUV will be the first mainstream car from a major manufacturer envisaged from the outset with built-in provisions for either combustion or plug-in hybrid power trains.

What this means is that the New Outlander will be available both in an internal combustion engine (ICE) version, and a plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) model. The PHEV model claims two additional firsts, as it will be Mitsubishi’s first plug-in hybrid car, and will reportedly be “the first permanent 4WD electric car in series production.”

The New Outlander PHEV will have two electric motors, one providing power to the front wheels, with the other assigned to the rear wheels. It will also have a petrol engine that can be used to generate electricity to run the motors, or to provide power to the front wheels.

This configuration will allow for three driving modes - Pure, in which only the two electric motors are used; Series, in which the two motors are supported by the petrol generator; and Parallel, which would see the petrol engine providing most of the power, supported by the two electric motors.

The company claims that the PHEV model should offer performance similar to that of its Concept PX-MiEV II show car, with a driving distance of over 800 kilometers (497 miles), and targeted CO2 emissions below 50 g/km. Little else in the way of specs are available at this time.

Mitsubishi will be unveiling the New Outlander PHEV at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show, which takes place September 29th to October 14th, with a European commercial roll-out planned for 2013. The ICE model should be introduced in Europe in the fall (Northern Hemisphere) of this year.

Source: Mitsubishi Motors

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3 comments
David Anderton
its sill having these PHEVs with the petrol generator directly power the wheels. Combustion engines are best used at a certain RPM/torque so using them purely as a generator that runs at its ideal Power would be best. Also replace the petrol with diesel!
Rkt9
I agree wth David, make the engine a diesel engine. Also, add a 110 and 220 outlet, and a person has an emergency or auxilliary generator, useful for camping, construction projects, and times when storms take away conventional power.
Don Duncan
Once again we see an ICE platform adapted to a achieve a half-hearted attempt to give us an alternative vehicle. Is is light weight? No. Is is aerodynamic? No. Is is charged by direct current so it can be fueled by solar panels? No. Conclusion: This is no serious EV, or even a serious "green" vehicle.
I hear Aptera was bought by the Chinese and will be sold next year in CA. I'll put a deposit down as soon as they are taking them. That's an EV platform I can support.