From the endurance test diary:
Our long-term test vehicle currently inspires with an unbelievably good average consumption. The last tank we used over a good 1.400 kilometers. This resulted in a cut of 2.71 liters on 100 kilometers, although there were two longer stages over several kilometers.
What was striking was the significant increase in efficiency when it started to have significant plus grades. As soon as the temperatures exceed the 10 ° mark, the efficiency of the long-term test car increases again massively. Now we use our Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV primarily for daily tasks as a family SUV. Bring the little one to kindergarten, shop, etc. - but in the past few weeks I have driven the vehicle several times over the longer distance. However, I deliberately slowed down the speed on the highway and also used the adaptive cruise control.
On the subject: Comfort gain through adaptive cruise control
If the highway is not free, then the hustle and bustle is not worth it. Then Tempo 120 are my goal. To avoid having to constantly keep an eye on the needle and especially to relax my foot, I am happy to use the adaptive cruise control system of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The variable speed control allows a stress-free and therefore more efficient driving.
Three distances can be set using the button on the steering wheel. Whereby the German autobahns in principle only allow a setting to the “shortest” distance. If you set the distance radar to the maximum possible control distance, someone will actually always drive into the gap directly in front of you. And if you are driving with an activated cruise control, you will notice very quickly how hectically and unevenly many drivers drive. Just 120, then 140, then again 100, then 160. A constant acceleration and deceleration.
The fact that our endurance test car has the adaptive cruise control on board is a real asset to the equipment. Once you have got used to the speed controlled “as if by magic”, you will not want to do without this function any more.
Adaptive distance
While a normal cruise control simply keeps the pace stupid and gives you a little chance to be even on the road and sometimes to loosen your right foot, the adaptive cruise control increases the whole sense of well-being. Significantly less stress on board. The radar at the front works with an output in the milliwatt range, so there is no need to be afraid of this system. The radar systems work in the 24 GHz range and cover the area in front of the vehicle. You have to think of the area as being “illuminated by a flashlight”. A rather acute opening angle ensures that the radar is focused on the vehicles in its own lane.
Mitsubishi as a technology pioneer
By the way, in 1992 Mitsubishi was the first automobile manufacturer to introduce a lidar (optical system) to warn of insufficient distance. The “Distance Warning” was introduced in the Mitsubishi Debonair at that time. The Mitsubishi ACC system, the “Adaptive Cruise Control”, has existed since 2012. Mitsubishi combines the adaptive cruise control and a collision warning.
And as you can see, and as we experience on a daily basis, the system not only makes it easy to tackle the freeway, it also reduces consumption by driving at a constant speed.