Mitsubishi plug-in SUV to be more affordable with Eclipse Cross PHEV

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid electric car family is set to expand with confirmation of the Eclipse Cross PHEV.

While full details and images are yet to be revealed, the new Eclipse Cross PHEV could undercut the larger Outlander PHEV, which is priced from $47,390 (plus on-road costs) and is set to be overhauled in 2021.

It will give Mitsubishi a two-pronged plug-in hybrid SUV attack.

For now Mitsubishi has only released a teaser image (top) of the upcoming styling update due for the Eclipse Cross.

The bolder look is said to be the start of a new look for Mitsubishi, one inspired by a concept car from 2017.

“The new design draws inspiration from the Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept emphasising the strength and dynamics from our SUV heritage, while enhancing the cleanliness and elegance of a coupe-like SUV,” said Seiji Watanabe, division general manager of Mitsubishi design.

“The Eclipse Cross is the first step toward the next generation of Mitsubishi design, and there is so much more to come.”

Whereas the Outlander PHEV uses a retuned version of the 2.4-litre four-cylinder available in other Outlanders (along with an electric motor as part of the PHEV system), it’s not yet known whether the Eclipse Cross will use a version of that setup or something else.

The regular Eclipse Cross is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo.

Those regular petrol-powered models are set to arrive in Australia late in 2020 but the Eclipse Cross PHEV hasn’t yet been confirmed for local sale.

Mitsubishi Australia says it has its hand up for the Eclipse Cross PHEV but that it’s unlikely to arrive before the second half of 2021.

Assuming the Eclipse Cross does make it Down Under, it would likely be a low-volume addition, as with most other PHEVs. Mitsubishi sold 217 Outlander PHEVs in the first eight months of 2020, accounting for almost 3 percent of overall Outlander sales.