The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was teased by the company in the Q4 2020 results/FY2020 results on May 11. Aside from an image of the 2022 Outlander PHEV in the presentation of its financial results, the brand also released a short video showing the Outlander PHEV’s testing and design progress in Japan.
Mitsubishi has not shared technical details about the second generation Outlander PHEV, though it said in 2018 that it would like to target a pure electric range of 80-100 km. In addition to the added range, a bi-directional charging system is also expected on the hybrid SUV.
At least for the near term, Mitsubishi is betting on PHEV tech, where it forecasts countries making significant investments towards electrification. In addition, the non-existence of range anxiety in a PHEV, varying temperatures in the region is reiterated by Mitsubishi as a plus point of a PHEV over an EV.
Release date
Mitsubishi has confirmed that the new three-row Outlander PHEV SUV will be launched in Japan this financial year (ends on March 31, 2022). Post its launch in Japan, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (and its non-hybrid variants in addition to the Eclipse Cross PHEV) could proceed southwards towards Australia.
The Outlander PHEV is expected to add some more fuel to sales of Mitsubishi, as the Australian market witnessed an 18.2 per cent increase in demand for PHEVs in 2020 compared to 2019. According to a report on CarExpert.com.au, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s Australian debut is planned for Q1 2022.
New Zealand, where Mitsubishi recorded its highest market share in FY2020 of 10 per cent, should also get the Toyota RAV4 rival next year. Worldwide supply should be handled by Mitsubishi’s Okazaki plant in Japan.
However, a region unlikely to see the hybrid SUV is Europe, where despite being the second best-selling PHEV across all segments in 2020, Mitsubishi seem to have no plans for the 2022 model. It will instead focus on the Eclipse Cross PHEV that was recently introduced in the region. For reference, it sold 26,673 units of the Outlander PHEV in Europe in 2020.
“As we have already announced, we have decided to withdraw from the new car sales business in 15 out of 32 countries by 2023 and at the same time, in order to optimize our product lineup, we have decided to receive an OEM supply of two models from Renault, our alliance partner,” Kato said on the European strategy.
Ralliart revival
Mitsubishi has also announced the revival of the Ralliart brand, which will ensure customers get a good dose of customization on products. The Outlander is an important nameplate for the brand and is expected to see Ralliart accessories (which can be installed at a dealership) and we would not be surprised if there was a Ralliart special edition next year.
One part of that is that, we have decided to relaunch a Ralliart art brand for customers in Mitsubishi Motors who want to add to Mitsubishi Motors-ness even more. In the future, we plan to develop items, genuine accessories for a wide range of models, and we would like to take opportunity to be involved in motor sports as well.
Takao Kato – Member, Board, Representative Executive Officer, President and CEO
Expected range, fuel efficiency & price
The current generation Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses the 4B12 2.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine along with two electric motors, one (S61) at the front and one (Y61) at the rear, driving the wheels. A 300-volt Lithium-ion battery pack with a storage capacity of 13.8 kWh provides juice to the electric motors. The pure electric range achieved with this setup is 65.0 km (JC08 mode)/57.6 km (WLTC mode).
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV should continue with an in-line four-cylinder petrol engine along with two electric motors propelling it. However, it is expected to carry a bigger battery pack for a greater pure electric range of between 70-100 km (WLTC mode). That’s the expectation set by the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer, the concept PHEV that is serving as the design base for the Mk4 Mitsubishi Outlander. For reference, the concept PHEV is claimed to offer a range of 70 km (WLTP mode).
The Toyota RAV4 PHEV, though smaller yet slightly more expensive, has set the bar for plug-in hybrid electric SUVs. It offers a zero-emissions range of 95 km (WLTC mode).
In Australia, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is expected to start at AUD 52,000 and go up to around AUD 60,000, around the same price range as the model it replaces.
Featured image: Mitsubishi