Chinese market Mitsubishi Airtrek EV hints at future full electric Outlander

April 20, 2021April 29, 2021 Iain Curry 3068 Views airtrek, electric suv, mitsubishi airtrek

Mitsubishi has teased an all-new electric SUV called Airtrek at the 2021 Shanghai motor show.

Airtrek was the original name for Mitsubishi’s Outlander when introduced in Japan in 2001, hinting this Chinese market-only EV could be closely related to a future full EV version of the Outlander medium SUV.

A new generation Outlander, including an improved version of the PHEV plug-in hybrid long sold in Australia, is due on our shores later this year.

The all-new electric Airtrek is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors and China’s Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), and its teased front and rear end styling is reminiscent of the new-generation Outlander.

Exact sizing, specification and price details were not revealed, but we were told it would launch in China by the end of this year.

China-only 2022 Mitsubishi Airtrek electric SUV at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show

In terms of design, we’re told the Airtrek displays “advanced sophistication fit for an EV while incorporating incorporating Mitsubishi’s consistent design identity, represented by its Dynamic Shield front design concept.”

It is designed exclusively for the Chinese market, but such is the demand for fresh EVs in global range lineups, it could well find its way to other markets over time, potentially with the familiar Outlander nameplate.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander will also include a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle version — Similarly-styled 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander will include a plug-in hybrid electric version.

The model, and hopefully further details, should be revealed at the Shanghai show in coming days.

Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.