PARIS MOTOR SHOW: GT-PHEV stands out from the crowd

Looks like we have a winner in the most 'distinctive' vehicle of the Paris motor show competition folks. Meet the Mitsubishi GT-PHEV.

GT stands for Ground Tourer, PHEV for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and the look is meant to give us a pointer to a potential future SUV from Mitsubishi.

"This is our challenge, through concept car I want to hear what is your feeling of writing and what is customer's reaction," Mitsubishi Design Office Senior Executive Officer Tsunehiro Kunimoto told motoring.com.au.

Sorry Kunimoto san, but it's hard to imagine the response to the GT-PHEV being anything better than mixed.

In the photos it looks okay, but in three dimensions it's pretty confronting. The glasshouse is under-sized, the amount of sheetmetal massive, the nose juts forward and the stacked headlights protrude aggressively.

The contrast with the smaller and well balanced Mitsubishi eX SUV also on display in Paris was pronounced.

While the GT-PHEV has been reported as previewing the next generation Outlander, Kunimoto made clear this was his vision for a four-seater SUV coupe.

"This is mostly new category I want to establish; very big body but with quite tight cabin," he said.

More concretely, he promised Mitsubishi would take the next step and present a production SUV at the Geneva show next March, although he would not clarify what it would be.

But motoring.com.au understands it is a new model – dubbed XM as a concept – to fit between the small ASX and the next-gen Outlander, both of which are also soon due up for renewal. An all-electric model with a 400km-plus range based on the eX is also in the works.

While the GT-PHEV's wild exterior can be taken or left, it's the technology underneath that is likely to be more relevant for future production models including the next generation Outlander.

Mitsubishi has flung a heap of tech at its latest SUV concept, such as a triple motor plug-in hybrid system with a claimed electric-only range of 120km.

One 90kW motor sits on the front axle, two 45kW motors on the back axle and a 25kWh battery pack is mounted under the floor. The package also includes a 2.4-litre petrol engine that operates in both series and parallel modes and a two-speed transaxle.

The current Outlander PHEV runs two 60kW motors, a 2.0-litre engine a 12kWh battery pack, a single speed transmission and has a claimed 52km EV range.

The latest iteration of the system that debuts with the GT-PHEV also includes drag reducing active grille shutters and speed-sensitive adaptive suspension that controls ride height. Total driving range with a full fuel tank and fully charged battery is claimed at 1200km.

In addition to the electric motors, the all-wheel drive system includes Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control integrated vehicle dynamics system, which includes an active front differential, active yaw control and active stability control.

Mitsubishi claims S-AWC delivers "dramatic improvements to the car's acceleration, cornering and braking".

Connected car technology also plays a role in the GT-PHEV's on-road behaviour.

Information obtained through telecommunications and in-car sensors and cameras influences both the PHEV and all-wheel drive systems.

For instance, when the driver enters the destination into the on-board navigation system, it searches for information about the weather, temperature, topography, roads and surface conditions expected en-route as well as plotting the optimal energy management for the trip and engaging the integrated four-wheel drive control system.

In terms of styling, the GT-PHEV uses the latest take on Mitsubishi's 'dynamic shield'

The blacked-out grille features "intricately worked" shutters that reduce air drag and a piano black upper section and a rubber bumper underside which is intended to protect the vehicle from damage.

The headlights units are split vertically with DRLs and indicators in the upper sections and the headlights in the lower half, with the intention of not blinding oncoming vehicles or pedestrians.

A floating roof design, a chrome garnish that runs from front to rear and combination lamps that stretch across the tail are other styling flourishes.

Inside the GT-PHEV features a horizontal dashboard that is intended to provide "excellent" forward vision and create an open feeling in the leather-trimmed cabin.

Shift and terrain selectors use a rotary dial, an "intelligent" instrument cluster provides engine speed, energy flow and other information. It can also be switched to navigation mode. Cameras act as side mirrors and a head-up display shows vehicles speed. And the car features automatically opening suicide doors for good measure.