The Future of the Outlander or Pajero?
Is one electric motor for a plug-in hybrid not enough? Not if you ask Mitsubishi. This is the Mitsubishi Elevance: a plug-in hybrid SUV with no less than four electric motors. Is this the future of the Outlander?
The Mitsubishi Elevance Concept looks futuristic, but perhaps it isn’t. Just imagine conventional doors, normal side mirrors, and a set of smaller wheels. Maybe you’re looking at the next generation Mitsubishi Outlander. After all, the current model has been on the international market for almost five years. The SUV has a recognizable Mitsubishi front and extravagant taillights that dive deep into the sides. Of course, not much of that will remain in a potential production version. The same applies to the interior. It is minimal in design and thus seems completely current, but fully rotating front seats and the colossal displays are probably too complex for Mitsubishi in a production car.
Also interesting is the powertrain of this show car. It is a plug-in hybrid with the next step of what Nissan calls its Super-All Wheel Control technology. This time, no complicated differentials, but four electric motors, each responsible for driving one wheel. There is also an internal combustion engine involved, which also appears to be capable of driving the wheels. Furthermore, Mitsubishi mentions a large battery but does not specify exactly how large it is. The Elevance Concept has three rows of seats and accommodates a total of six people. Including luggage, the Japanese claim.
Mitsubishi says nothing about the arrival of a production version. We guess that we are catching a glimpse of the next generation Outlander or Pajero.