Outwardly, the Outlander PHEV has changed only modestly for model year 2019. Under the plate, however, the engineers have increased, among other things, the displacement of the combustor.
SP-X / Marseille. Although the look of the conservative and discreetly drawn Mitsubishi Outlander suggests something else: The all-rounder with combined electric and gasoline propulsion, which comes on the market in September revised, is not an ordinary hybrid. This begins with the fact that the manufacturer for his allegedly just under 40.000 Euro (exact prices are not there yet) ranked middle-class SUV does not indicate system performance.
The power of the combustion engine, the displacement of which the engineers have increased from 2 to 2,4 liters for the new model year and which now works under partial load according to the efficient Atkinson principle, is given as 99 kW / 135 PS. But the petrol engine works exclusively as a generator up to around 70 km / h, while the two electric motors on the front and rear axles with 60 kW / 82 PS and 70 kW / 95 PS output (195 Nm torque) take over the drive. Accordingly, the Outlander always drives electrically in the lower speed level, after all it has no transmission. The petrol engine can be disconnected and switched on via the clutch and is then virtually rigidly tied to the wheels, with a large gear ratio that roughly corresponds to sixth gear of a conventional transmission. If you accelerate to country road speed or faster, the four-cylinder, which has now been improved in terms of efficiency, switches to drive mode and helps to increase speed.
In addition, the now 13,8 kWh, cell-renewed lithium-ion battery can be recharged from the outside within four hours (at 230 V / 16A) and is sufficient for 45 kilometers drive to WLTP measurement. Instead of 125 are now in electric drive maximum 135 km / h in it. So if you can always, is extremely low gasoline. The combined WLTP consumption Mitsubishi estimated with two liters per 100 kilometers.
But enough of the theory, now it starts. It is obvious that the Japanese are supple. The electric motors start silently, and when the traction battery is charged, the combustor initially remains pleasantly mute. That changes when you get the full power and enter higher speed spheres. Now you can see nicely on the graphic in the central display that the four-cylinder helps the drive. The latches jerk-free in the strand, but tends to high speeds, if you do not have the gas foot under control. That's what most European customers have to get used to.
It quickly becomes clear that Mitsubishi does not necessarily want the Outlander Hybrid to be understood as an eco-mobile, but as a comfortable glider. With its ten and a half second standard sprint from zero to zero speed 100 the 1,9-Tonner drives not phlegmatic, but not sporty. But the suspension gently weighs its passengers when the road conditions deteriorate. The paddles on the steering wheel do not interfere with the shift strategy (there is no gearbox), but select the recuperation power in five stages. With "0" almost no brake torque is built up after releasing the accelerator pedal, while the 5 stage can result in a subtle nod of the other passengers. Different modes of operation promote adult play instinct. So you can cause the burner at the push of a button to recharge the battery. Although this does not make much sense in terms of energy, it does offer the possibility of silently driving the last part before arrival.
From far greater practical use can be the snow mode, which regulates the power distribution under adverse road conditions with the goal of maximum traction. The bottom line is the Outlander with the three hearts a fine all-rounder. It also offers a generous amount of space for people and luggage (453 to 1.584 liters) plus an 35 liter receiving underfloor cargo box. However, the hybrid train is not necessarily the right choice for every driving profile. Before you buy, you should still recalculate whether acquisition and operating costs are worthwhile given the individual annual mileage. After all, the Mitsubishi Outlander is also available as an efficient diesel.
(Patrick Broich / SP-X)
- Mitsubishi Outlander Plugin Hybrid - Specifications: Mid-range SUV, Length: 4,70 meters, Width: 1,80 meters, Altitude: 1,71 meters, Wheelbase: 2,67 meters, Boot volume: 453 to 1.584 liters.2,4-liter large four-cylinder gasoline engine with Atkinson Operating mode, 99 kW / 135 PS, maximum torque: 211 Nm at 4.500 rpm, one gear ratio, 2x electric motor with 60 kW / 82 PS or 70 kW / 95 PS, 0-100 km / h: 10,5 s, Vmax: 170 km / h, average fuel consumption: 2,0 l (WLTP), CO2 emissions: 45 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6, efficiency class: A +, price: not yet known, probably under 40.000 Euro.
Mitsubishi Outlander Plugin-Hybrid - short description:
Why: Because the Outlander offers an interesting technology and is reasonably priced
Why not: Because the operating costs are not always favorable in the end, in addition, the drive train is getting used to
What else: Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail or Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace - hybrid drives are currently only found on Lexus NX or Volvo XC 60, which are positioned more sophisticated
When: September 2018