Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to win over buyers

Mitsubishi is boldly predicting it is PHEV time in Australia, with the second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid set to benefit from Aussie car buyers’ increasing interest in electrification.

Set for full reveal on October 28, the incoming new petrol-electric Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (as the company is calling it here) will follow the orthodox petrol-powered fourth-generation Outlander on sale by early 2022.

The original Outlander PHEV, the first plug-in SUV sold in Australia from March 2014, was technically interesting and an undoubted fuel-miser, but its acceptance was stymied by high pricing and a lack of buyer interest in electrified vehicles.

“It’s fair to say we have been playing in the plug-in hybrid EV space for a number of years and some ways that car (Outlander PHEV) was way ahead of the Australian market,” said Mitsubishi Australia senior product strategy manager Owen Thomson.

“The market is now coming towards PHEV in Australia.”

Encouraging that transition, Mitsubishi has deleted the 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel options from the fourth-gen Outlander line-up, making the PHEV the only alternative to the conventional 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

“The critical point for us is really about the understanding and education of the powertrain because in the past it’s not been well understood, the capabilities of the powertrain,” admitted Mitsubishi Australia’s Outlander product strategy manager Tim Clarke.

“But now with the general movement towards decarbonisation, we are seeing a lot more people wanting to learn and educate themselves on how this product might fit into their daily driving routine and what suits their daily driving routine; is it an EV, is it a plug-in hybrid, is it a hybrid or an internal combustion engine?

“The market is coming to us in that respect, whereas in the past it’s been rather niche, so we are looking to capitalise on that and we are really excited about the new plug-in hybrid.”

Mitsubishi is yet to talk in detail about the pricing of the new Outlander or its new-gen PHEV powertrain.

The current Outlander PHEV is priced from $47,990 plus on-road costs and is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine teamed with two electric motors.

The new model could change from that set-up, with some overseas reports suggesting it could employ a version of the 2.5-litre Nissan engine that powers the rest of the new Outlander line-up.

The new Outlander PHEV will be followed on sale in Australia by a direct competitor, the Ford Escape PHEV, which has gone through several delays including a stop-sale because of battery fire concerns.

Plug-in hybrid SUVs currently available in Australia include the MG HS, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, the larger Kia Sorento PHEV seven-seat SUV which has just gone on sale, the Kia Niro and Volvo XC40 Recharge.

Unlike orthodox hybrids, plug-ins allow the vehicle to be recharged externally. That provides the opportunity to extend zero-emissions range and save fuel.