Contents Show
With the Mitsubishi Outlander, the former offroad model is not just in the 3. Generation has arrived since 2012, since 2014 he has put another technology highlight on top. It is the first SUV worldwide to be an electric vehicle-based car with a supporting petrol engine and permanent all-wheel drive. With this, the engineers from Japan set an exclamation mark in hybrid technology. 2016 now offers Mitsubishi a revised version with more technical details. The SUV with the triangle in the logo cannot hide its origins from Mitsubishi. On the contrary: The modified front leads him visually close to the brand's face. It not only shines as a stylish off-road vehicle, but also presents itself as a vehicle with great utility for family and leisure activities. The price list starts from 39.990 Euro.
Mitsubishi Plug-IN Outlander 4WD TOP
SUV that can with the socket
Newly developed Outlander with power plug
With the third generation of the Outlander, Mitsubishi made a completely new development available to its buyers. The dimensions of the new one largely corresponded to its predecessor. But then the similarities stopped, because the first time you make eye contact, the current Outlander with conventional drives looks much more pleasing than before. With the renewed revision of the vehicle, the Outlander gained further pep and lifestyle. The front is adorned with an apron that is pulled up to the sides. The brand emblem is prominently framed by long chrome lines and the rounded side of the headlights continues in a straight bead over the entire length of the vehicle before it falls off in an arched manner at the rear lights. At the rear, the lights connected by a cover ensure a flat appearance. The Outlander largely lost its off-road look at the beginning of the 3rd generation, which is making it more and more of a city dweller. This should correspond to its actual purpose as a family car, which is only available as a five-seater. The improved aerodynamics with your cWValue of 0,33 is supported, among other things, by the roof rail fixed to the roof. The optimized wind slipperiness in conjunction with the hybrid drive contributes to the combined fuel consumption of 1,8 liters of premium grade petrol in the standard test, which corresponds to an exhaust emissions of 42 g / km CO2 corresponds. In our test drives through the entire Rhine / Main area, we come very close to this value, but the driving pleasure we have gained repeatedly tells us about 0,5 liters more in the display of the on-board computer.
Attractive interior
In the interior, high-quality materials, easy-to-touch soft-touch surfaces, a piano lacquer look, decorative inserts with a wood-like surface and "Black Steam" ornamentation ensure a dignified ambience. The controls are inclined slightly towards the driver. Especially for driving with the Plug-IN Hybrid Outlander, the driver is supported by a joystick as a gear selector lever, a driving mode display that signals the flow of current between the combustion engine and the electric drive, and selection buttons for charging the battery and activating the energy-saving mode. After getting in, we put the remote control in its own holder and press the start button. What we hear is nothing at first! The silence and the green "Ready" signal lamp in the display mean: "You are sitting in an electrically powered vehicle!" The beginning seems strange, but after a discharged battery, with a range of up to 52 kilometers (lithium-ion drive battery with a Capacity of 12 kilowatt hours), we hear a familiar noise: the growling of the four-cylinder gasoline engine that accompanies us to the next charging station. Rapid charging stations, which are increasingly being offered in large cities, charge the battery up to a capacity of 20% in 30-80 minutes. At a standard household Schuko socket, the charging time is approx. 5 hours. Mitsubishi supplies a charging cable for each of the two solutions, which can be stowed in the trunk floor. An application can also be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play app stores that can be used as a remote control for the charging process and for air conditioning.
Electric drive with high storage volume
The Mitsubishi SUV can accommodate up to five people with a vehicle length of about 4,70 meters. Even with full seating the Japanese are not stingy in the boot volume. 451 liters (due to equipment) maximum capacity are among the better values in the class. If the plug-in hybrid outlander driver folds down the entire rear seat, the vehicle opens up a stowage volume of a full 1.590 liter.
The combination of its drive from a 2.0-liter petrol front engine (89 kW / 121 PS), a front and rear electric motor (60 kW / 82 PS) as well as the permanent electric all-wheel drive "Super All Wheel Control" give the PHEV Outlander stable driving pleasure. Due to the torque of the electric motors (137 Nm at the front and 195 Nm at the rear) from the very first second, there is a very strong forward thrust, at least when starting. Even the combustion engine with its maximum torque of 190 Newton meters at 4.500 revolutions does not promise a snail's ride. As with its introduction in 2014, its steering is designed to be a bit soft for European tastes, even if, in connection with its small turning circle of 10,6 meters, relaxed driving and parking is possible in the city. From model year 2016, a 360-degree camera checks the necessary steering maneuvers with a bird's eye view when parking.
Moderate prices
The Plug-IN Hybrid Outlander, which is only available in combination with petrol and two electric motors, starts at a price of 39.990 euros. For this Mitsubishi offers an SUV optional with ample driver assistance systems such as an adaptive cruise control system, Auffahrwarnsystem and lane departure warning. The large Japanese with power connection always presents itself well equipped in three equipment variants. It separates it from the base and the middle equipment "PLUS" 6.000 Euro and from there it is again 5.000 Euro up to the version "TOP", which at least has an electrically opening and closing tailgate as well as the Mitsubishi Multi Communication System with navigation device and Premium sound system includes.
And finally ...
With the Pug-In Hybrid Outlander, Mitsubishi presents a good combination of MPV with high utility value and economical driving. All systems work in a coordinated manner and not overloaded with technology, which means that there is no barrier to new technologies.
[toggle title=”Engine and Transmission”]
Mitsubishi |
Plug-IN Hybrid Outlander |
| Motor | R4, petrol engine |
| Capacity | 1.998 ccm³ |
| Performance | 121 hp @ 6.000 rpm |
| kraft | 190 Nm @ 4.500 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic transmission |
| drive axle | Permanent four-wheel drive |
| E-motor: | Front and rear |
| Performance front | 60 kW (82 PS) |
| Power rear | 60 kW (82 PS) |
| Force front | 137 Nm |
| Power rear | 195 Nm |
| generator | 70 kW (95 PS) |
| Length Width Height | 4.695, 1.800, 1.720 mm |
| wheelbase | 2.670 mm |
| Empty weight | 1.845 kg |
| turning circle | 10,6m |
| top speed | 170 km/h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 11,0 sec |
| standard consumption | 1.8 l / 100 km - petrol
13,4 kWh / 100 km |
| everyday driver | 2.5 l / 100 km (Diesel) |
| Eco-expert | 2.0 l / 100 km |
| Field service mode | 3.8 l / 100km |
Text and photos: Stefan Beckmann
[/ Toggle]