► Outlander PHEV upgraded for MY2019
► Debuts at 2018 Geneva motor show
► Big news is new powertrain under the skin
Mitsubishi has used the 2018 Geneva motor show to unveil its revised Outlander PHEV. It would have been easy to miss, though, with the striking e-Volution taking centre stage and the fact that the Japanese company likes to update this model with great regularity.
The main news for the updated car is a new engine under the bonnet, with Mitsubishi claiming the revised model is cleaner, more efficient, smoother and also more powerful.
What’s changed about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, then?
The biggest difference between MY2019 and MY2018 is a new 2.4-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine under the bonnet, replacing the old Otto cycle 2.0-litre unit.
There aren’t any confirmed figures for EV range, power output and all the rest of it, but Mitsubishi is promising increases all-round due to changes made to the hybrid system, too.
The company says there’s a 10% increase in the generator’s output, 10% rear motor output increase, 15% increase in the drive battery capacity and 10% increase in the drive battery output. Battery capacity is now 13.8kWh.
In short, this should all equate to more power and torque, but expect the car’s EV range to stay the same.
Anything else?
Everywhere else it’s a typical set of updates – Mitsubishi’s latest version of its ever-growing grille is present, there’s a new set of LED headlamps, some new wheels and a couple of other exterior body tweaks.
Inside, there’s new leather upholstery on the revised seats, some new instruments and some new trim. Just the usual tweaks here and there, basically.
Mitsubishi has also added a couple of extra drive mode options. Previously, there were Normal and 4WD Lock modes, and they’ve now been joined by Sport and Snow modes. Although it’s unlikely many drivers will be making frequent use of these.
A-Z of the Geneva motor show on CAR magazine
