Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Aussie timing revealed
The second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be on-sale in Australia in early 2022.
The rival for the likes of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and forthcoming Ford Escape PHEV will follow on from the orthodox ICE version of the mid-size SUV that is due on-sale in Australia in the final quarter of 2021.
The new Outlander was first revealed to the world last February shortly before the 2.5-litre (up from 2.4) petrol-engined version went on-sale in the USA.
And while Mitsubishi only issued teaser detail shots of the PHEV in announcing its timing, the fundamental look of all Outlanders will be the same.
Mitsubishi Australia is yet to talk pricing for any version of the new Outlander, but the current three-model PHEV range stretches from $47,990 to $56,490 (plus on-road costs).
Details of the upgraded PHEV system is yet to be officially announced, but Mitsubishi does promise improved motor output, increased battery capacity, more powerful performance and more electric driving range. As with the outgoing car it’s expected to have all-wheel drive traction, giving it an advantage over its closest rival, the delayed Ford Escape.
The outgoing Outlander PHEV – on-sale in Australia since 2014 – combines a 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder engine with 60kW front and 70kW rear electric motors and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The electric range is 54km.
Mitsubishi has just released the smaller Eclipse Cross PHEV in Australia with fundamentally the same drivetrain and a $46,490 starting price (plus on-road costs).
Speculation regarding the new Outlander has so far focused on the new model getting a version of the 2.5-litre engine, 20kWh battery pack and 70km electrified running.
Exact details of the new Outlander PHEV’s powertrain are expected to be provided around the time it goes on sale in Japan late in 2021.
One detail Mitsubishi did confirm in its announcement of Outlander PHEV timing is the new model will have three-row seating capability, as per orthodox Outlanders. That means seating for up to seven people (the previous car had only five seats).
Bigger than its predecessor and intended to be more premium, the new Outlander adds more technology and is based on a new platform shared with the Nissan X-Trail.
New tech offered inside the new Outlander includes a large horizontal infotainment touch-screen, a digital instrument cluster and wireless smartphone charging.
