Save fuel instead of taxes: Mitsubishi relies on an unusually complex plug-in hybrid drive for the Eclipse Cross, which should also save fuel in practice.
Mitsubishi was one of the pioneers of plug-in hybrid drives in 2014 with the electrified Outlander. Part-time electricity number two is now coming onto the market with some delay: The Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid refines the known technology and will be available from dealers in April at prices starting at 38.890 euros. Thanks to the environmental bonus and additional manufacturer subsidy, the customer initially only pays 30.890 euros for the 138 kW / 188 hp crossover coupé.
If you want to see the part-time electricity in the car dealership from spring, you have to be a little careful. In addition to the new plug-in hybrid, the previous model also remains in the showroom - but without a cable connection, but exclusively as a pure gasoline or diesel. However, there is no direct risk of confusion even when the car is stationary, as Mitsubishi not only redesigned the drive but also almost the entire sheet metal cladding. Thanks to the new front and optically smoothed rear, the compact SUV now looks significantly more beefy, more present and larger than its predecessor. Also because the overall length has increased by an impressive 14 centimeters. However, growth changes little in terms of available space; the wheelbase and thus the interior dimensions remain the same. And the trunk has only gained a few liters on paper. However, the predecessor was already sufficiently spacious, despite the roofline sloping slightly towards the rear.
Basically everything stays the same in the cockpit, which continues to rely on the classic style with an attached touchscreen and a comparatively high number of physical switches and buttons. What is new, however, is the center console, which now houses a pretty, futuristic gear selector lever and some of the special controls for the plug-in hybrid drive. And that's the real star of the car. Where other manufacturers of combustion engines and electric motors tend to be hectically and carelessly forcibly coupled, just to be able to offer their customers an attractive tax-saving and premium take-away model, Mitsubishi relies on a comparatively complex system with a clever interplay of electrical and thermal power.
As in the Outlander, a 2,4-liter gasoline engine is combined with two electric motors under the front hood, one on each axle. Ideally, these take over the drive alone and are fed by a 13,8 kWh battery. According to the standard, its energy supply is sufficient for 61 kilometers, at the latest then the gasoline engine kicks in and produces electricity as a generator. In practice, he does this when the opportunity arises, before the battery is empty. Unless the driver consciously switches to "EV" mode and prevents him from doing so. The four-cylinder is not only an on-board power plant, it also goes directly into the drive work when the load is high, supports the electric motors when accelerating or can also operate completely alone at high speeds. The multitude of operating strategies should ensure efficiency in every situation: Mitsubishi specifies 1,8 liters plus 19,3 kWh per 100 kilometers as the standard consumption. On the first test drive, the on-board computer showed a significantly higher value. However, since the combustion engine was allowed to purr evenly in the middle speed range for most of the time, even during intermediate sprints, the manufacturer's promise of efficiency does not seem to have been completely taken out of thin air.
There is also an improvement over the Outlander PHEV when it comes to charging. If the big brother has to fall back on the exotic type 1 connection for AC refueling, the Eclipse Cross uses the widely used type 2 plug. On the other hand, the fast charging connection, which uses the Chademo standard, which is increasingly rare in this country, remains outside the mainstream. However, this is bearable, as the relatively small battery is filled in six hours, even at the slowest domestic socket. At the wallbox it goes in four.
The high level of noise comfort of the drive was to be assessed more clearly. The combustion engine could be heard and sounded a bit strained when it was heavily used, but overall it remained pleasantly in the background. The Eclipse Cross can also score with its powerful pulling force and linear power delivery, which contributes to a confident driving experience. The start is almost sporty, but there are no greater dynamic ambitions on board - if only because of the high seating position even for an SUV.
With the plug-in hybrid, Mitsubishi is not focusing primarily on the company car market like most of its competitors, but on private customers. He can choose between three equipment lines, all of which are neatly equipped with extras. The “basic” model already comes on 18-inch rims and with two-zone automatic air conditioning, the “plus” version (from 43.390 euros) complements LED headlights and a head-up display, while the “ Top “equipment offers not only leather seats but also a 230-volt Schuko socket in the trunk, which, for example, allows a household vacuum cleaner to be operated on board.
The elaborate engine concert and the renouncement of excessive engine power or alleged sportiness make the Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid perhaps the most honest part-time electrician on the market. Small weaknesses like the exotic fast charging technology can be forgiven.
Technical data - Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid:
Compact class crossover coupé; Length: 4,54 meters, width (with exterior mirror): 2,17 meters, height: 1,69 meters, wheelbase: 2,67 meters, trunk volume: 359 to 1.108 liters. Empty weight: 1.985 kg
Plug-in hybrid drive consisting of a 2,4-liter Atkinson gasoline engine with four cylinders; 72 kW / 98 PS, maximum torque: 193 Nm at 2.500 rpm, combined with two electric motors (front 60 kW / 82 PS, rear 70 kW / 95 PS). System output: 138 kW / 188 PS. Lithium-ion battery with 13,8 kWh. Electric range: 61 km, charging time: 6 hours (domestic socket), 25 minutes (Chademo). All-wheel drive, 0-100 km / h: 10,9 s, Vmax: 135 km / h (electric), 162 km / h (hybrid), standard consumption (WLTP) 1,8 liters / 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 41 g / km, power consumption (WLPT): 19,3 kW / h / 100 km, efficiency class: A +, price: from 39.890 euros (30.890 euros after deducting the environmental bonus and manufacturer premium).
Brief profile - Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid:
Why: economical drive, quick acceleration, high level of noise comfort
Why not: mediocre electric range, only Chademo charging connection
What else: Jeep Compass 4xe, Peugeot 3008 plug-in hybrid, Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid
