Mitsubishi has given the powertrain in its 2022 PHEV Outlander more of everything, including boosting by 52.7 per cent the electric-only range of the SUV, from a maximum 55km to 84km.
The extra range in electric mode comes from a 20kWh battery pack, a capacity 45 per cent greater than the outgoing model’s 13.8kWh.
The upgrades result in a combined power output – from the battery pack, front and rear electric motors, and 2.4-litre petrol engine – of 185kW/450Nm, up from 130kW/332Nm in the PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) Outlander now on the road in New Zealand. That’s a 42 per cent boost in power and a 45 per cent boost in torque.
Mitsubishi has also increased the size of the fuel tank. It now carries 56 litres of unleaded, 24 per cent up on the present model’s 45-litre capacity.
The extra 11 litres of fuel means the new Outlander can go 50 per cent further on a full tank of gas, claims Mitsubishi. It doesn’t say how it arrived at the calculation and whether it applies to all three PHEV models, the LS, XLS, VRX.
Nor does it say how it worked out the special launch price of $59,990 on the entry-level LS, which it lists at a recommended retail price of $69,990.
What might have something to do with the $10,000 discount is that Mitsubishi says it has already sold sight unseen more than 100 variants of the new PHEV.
Factor in, too, the $5750 government clean car rebate on PHEVs. The rebate brings down the $75,990 XLS to $70,240 and the premium $79,990 VRX to $74,240.
The five-seat LS gets dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and a 9-inch smartphone-link display audio screen.
The XLS has seven seats, black synthetic leather upholstery, smartphone wireless charging and three-zone air-conditioning.
The premium seven-seat VRX has all of the above along with memory leather seats, a BOSE sound system with nine speakers, 1500w AC power outlets, 360deg camera view, a kick tailgate and a 10.8-inch head- up dash display.
Mitsubishi Motors NZ marketing manager Reece Congdon expects the new PHEV Outlander to be an even bigger success than the current model.
“PHEV concept remains one of the most viable options available for environmentally conscious motorists, especially in tandem with the clean car discount,” he said.
“Outlander PHEV reduces the cost and footprint of fossil fuels for the family SUV. It has been the leader in its class for good reason.”
The 2022 PHEV model has the same battery warranty as the existing one: eight years/160,000km. Next year’s Outlander line-up also includes non-hybrid variants, those using an internal combustion engine alone.