TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi outs next Pajero

Mitsubishi has revealed three new concepts for this month’s Tokyo motor show, led by a large supercharged plug-in hybrid SUV concept that previews the next-generation Pajero.

The so-called GC-PHEV was previewed by a teaser sketch earlier this month and combines a supercharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission with a plug-in hybrid system.

Echoing Porsche’s upcoming Cayenne E-Hybrid in its configuration, it comprises a high-voltage battery, high-output electric motor and permanent four-wheel drive.

No further details have been provided, but the plug-in SUV concept heralds the arrival of a long-overdue new-generation Pajero in 2014, when the Cayenne PHEV, Nissan’s Pathfinder hybrid – which incorporates a supercharged four-cylinder engine -- and Mitsubishi’s own four-cylinder Outlander PHEV are due on sale in Australia.

Mitsubishi says the GC-PHEV, which stands for Grand Cruiser Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, is “named to bring the vision of an imposing yet eco-friendly vehicle speeding across a vast terrain”.

“The Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV is a next-generation full-size SUV with full-time 4WD,” it said. “It is based on a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) system comprising a 3.0-liter V6 supercharged MIVEC engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a high-output motor and a high-capacity battery to deliver all-terrain performance truly worthy of an all-round SUV.”

Also making its world debut in Tokyo on November 20 is the Mitsubishi XR-PHEV concept, which potentially previews a next-generation ASX mini-SUV from the Japanese brand.

Mitsubishi says the name of the front-wheel drive XR-PHEV concept (for ‘Cross Runner’) “combines the concept's stylish crossover lines with peppy and nimble performance around town”.

It is powered by a 1.1-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine, a high-efficiency motor and a high-capacity battery.

A third world debut from Mitsubishi as Tokyo will come in the form of the AR (‘Active Runabout’) concept, a compact people-mover powered by the same 1.1-litre petrol engine matched to a mild hybrid system.

All three models feature Mitsubishi’s ‘e-Assist’ active safety suite comprising automatic cruise control, forward collision avoidance and lane departure warning.

Mitsubishi also confirmed the GR-HEV, the plug-in diesel-electric concept that previewed Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton dual-cab ute at the Geneva motor show in March, will also reappear at Tokyo.

However, so far there is no sign of a production version of the new Triton, which is also due on sale next year.

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