The wraps came off the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV II plug-in hybrid at today’s Tokyo motor show, revealing a concept that is very close in design and technology to the new Mitsubishi Outlander.
Ryosuke Matsuoke, designer of the PX-MiEV, told Autocar that the new concept is “very close to the production design of the Outlander. Just change the wing mirrors and it’s almost the finished car.”
The PX-MiEV II is a development of the original PX-MiEV concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo motor show.
The PX-MiEV II previews a new four-wheel drive range-extender system that uses two electric motors, one to power each axle, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
In electric mode alone the PX-MiEV II is capable of covering up to 30 miles, but the powertrain can also use both electric and petrol motors together for the most efficient propulsion at higher speeds.
Alternatively, the petrol motor can act purely as a generator for when the battery reserve is low but pure electric mode is still most efficient.
Mitsubishi claims that the system should return a combined economy of as much as 141mpg combined.
Mitsubishi sources confirmed that the powertrain would definitely make it into production and that it was a global vehicle, so expect to see it come to the UK. However, it was less certain whether there would also be a conventional diesel option for the European market.
The new Outlander should arrive within the next two years.
Thanks to: Autocar
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