So what do people think of the new Outlander PHEV?
To answer this question - I like it. I am due to take delivery of an Outlander PHEV Aspire on June 6th.
The following is some info on the vehicle that I have seen in helping with my decision.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Aspire hybrid SUV (Super Ugly Vehicle)
This car has the following and does everything well in all the categories Australians want in a car.
1. It has more than enough space for a family
2. It has a real AWD more capable than any other SUV including lock function. Reviews proved that.
3. It doesn't cost more than other SUVs with AWD of this size
4. It has a normal range for Australian conditions
5. It is comfortable for long drives
6. 5 year warranty and capped price servicing
7. It has all the gadgets new car buyers want:
Keyless entry and ignition, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio, a USB audio input, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers and 18-inch alloys are present across the range.
The Outlander PHEV Aspire brings a sunroof, extra chrome on the exterior, a powered tailgate, radar cruise control, a forward collision alert system and leather upholstery.
8. You can drive only on electric power for 52km/day
9. You charge it at home
10. It does all the above on a very frugal 1.9l/100km and not on 8 to 9l/100km
I think this is a very unique package in the market. And Mitsubishi got the tech formula right. Design-wise it's a mixed bag but acceptable.
The fuel tank capacity is 45 litres and it runs on 91 RON fuel. The theoretical driving range is therefore in excess of 900km.
The drivetrain consists of an 87kW/186Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine mounted at the front alongside a generator and one of two 60kW electric motors. At the rear axle is the second, torquier motor and a 300V and 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack. There is no mechanical link between the axles.
At speeds between 60km/h and 120km/h, the engine serves as a supplementary power source by feeding power into the system while charging the depleted battery cells. At speeds above 120km/h, it couples with the front axle and sends power there directly, complementing the rear electric drive.
There are also six levels of regenerative braking, controlled by wheel-mounted paddle-shifters in lieu of conventional gear ratios.
Using a dedicated 15amp power outlet, it takes up to five hours to fully recharge a PHEV drive battery from the wall alone and based on an electricity supply rate:
a. Peak - of 33 cents per kilowatt hour for 10Kwh's, it costs approximately $3.30
b. Off peak - 16 cents per kilowatt hour for 10Kwh's, it costs approximately $1.60
c. Sun rays via solar panels - FREE!
The entry version comes well-equipped, though not quite on a par with the diesel Aspire. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED tail-lights, satellite navigation with 3D mapping on a seven-inch colour touchscreen, Bluetooth with steering wheel controls and voice control, keyless start, dual-zone climate control, dusk sensing HID headlights, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
All versions were confirmed as recipients of an ANCAP five-star safety rating. The complicated cells and motors are also tucked away enough to scarcely affect ground clearance and claimed off-road ability for the adventure-minded.
The Aspire adds leather interior trim with heated front seats, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, sunroof, power tailgate with remote operation, chrome details, and active safety equipment such as a forward collision warning system, radar-guided cruise control and a Wi-Fi based app that lets you monitor and tweak the car’s operations remotely.
Despite the sizeable battery cells under the floor, cargo capacity is 463 litres with the rear seats in place. However, with the seats folded space is just 888. The seven-seat option is also unavailable on the PHEV.
The gross vehicle mass (GVM) of the PHEV is 2310kg, 50kg more than the Aspire diesel. Keep in mind the GVM is not the kerb weight, but rather the maximum operating weight. Kerb weight is 1810kg. The batteries weigh around 185kg, and weight distribution overall is 55:45 front:rear.
Like all Mitsubishis, the PHEV gets a five-year/100,000km warranty. It also qualifies for Mitsubishi’s four-year capped-price servicing, which is $360 for the first service and $470 for the second, third and fourth services, scheduled every 15,000km or 12 months.
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Series: ZJ
Model release date: March / 2014
Category: SUV Medium
Body Type: Wagon
Doors: 5
Seats: 5
Engine: 2.0Litre (1998cc) - Inline4
Fuel Type: Hybrid
Transmission: CVT automatic
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Dual zone climate control
- rear ducts
- pollen filter
- side window demister
Rear window demister
Electric windows front & rear
- driver auto up/down
Cruise control
Tilt & reach adjust steering column
Leather steering wheel
- multi-function controls
Driver footrest
Front bucket seats
- slide & recline adjust
- driver height adjust
- height adjust headrests
2nd row seats
- recline & tumble fold-up
- centre armrest with cup holders
- three height adjust headrests
- 60/40 split fold
Sports cloth seat trim
- with leather-look bolsters
Leather-look door trim inserts
Chrome door handles
Inner scuff plates
Carpet floor covering
Silver, Pearl & Piano Black panels
Fully trimmed cargo area
Day/night rear view mirror
Sunvisors with ticket holders
- with illuminated mirrors
Driver & front passenger assist grips
Floor console with box & lid
Door pockets front & rear
Cup & bottle holders
Passenger seatback pocket
Illuminated glovebox
Cargo blind
Jack & tool set
Room light with time delay
Front map lights
Door courtesy lights
Cargo area light
Accessory power socket
One touch start system
Chrome accented control switches
Chrome accented instrument cluster
High contrast instrument meter
Trip meter
Headlights-on warning
Door ajar warning
Low fuel warning
Front seat belts warning light
4WD indicator light
ECO drive support system
ECO mode switch
ECO drive assist indicator
ECO score indicator
Multi-information display
- trip computer
- outside temperature
- average fuel consumption
AM/FM radio/CD/MP3 player
Six speakers including 2 tweeters
USB input
Bluetooth 2.0 phone connectivity
Audio streaming with voice control
MMCS
- multi-communication system
- 7” WVGA touch screen
- 3D navigation mapping
- SD card input
Reverse camera
Exterior
18” painted & machined alloy wheels
225/55R18 tyres
Chrome grille
Two tone colour bumper
Silver skid plate on front bumper
Silver highlight on rear bumper
Body colour door handles
Black door sash
Black wheel arch garnish
Privacy glass
Silver roof rails
HID headlights with washers
- automatic dusk sensing
Front fog lights with chrome bezels
LED tail lights
High mount stop light
Body colour electric door mirrors
- integrated turn indicators
Auto rain sensing front wipers
- variable intermittent
Intermittent rear wiper/washer
Roof mounted antenna
Reverse parking sensors
Safety
Driver & front passenger front airbags
Driver & front passenger side airbags
Curtain airbags
Driver knee airbag
3 point ELR seat belts for all seats
ALR belts for outer 2nd row seats
Height adjustable front seat belts
- pre-tensioners & force limiters
Childproof rear door locks
Child restraint anchorage points
Isofix child seat mountings
Illuminated hazard switch
RISE body construction
Intrusion minimising brake pedal
Welcome/coming home lighting
Security
Central door locking
- with keyless entry
- auto relock function
Smart Key
Remote fuel fillerv release
Remote boot release
Engine immobiliser
Theft protection alarm
Technical
Electric power steering
ABS with EBD
Power brake booster
- with emergency brake assist
Regenerative brake system
Active stability control
Active traction control
Hill start assist
Lithium ion battery
- total voltage 300V
- capacity 12kWh
- charging time 5 hours
Extra Features
Forward Collision Mitigation
Adaptive Cruise Control
Electric tailgate
Chrome exterior door handles
Chrome side window garnish
Electric sunroof
- with slide & tilt
Electric driver seat
Heated front seats
Leather seat facings
Decorative outer scuff plates
Driver seat back pocket
Smartphone app
Factory Options:
Metallic paint $495
Pearlescent paint $495
Engine:
Engine Capacity: 2.0Litre 1998cc
Engine Type / Cylinders: Inline 4
Fuel Type: Hybrid
Power: 87.0kW @ 4500 rpm
Torque: 186Nm @ 4500 rpm
Compression: 10.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 86.0 x 86.0mm
Transmission:
Transmission: CVT automatic
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Weights and Capacities:
Weight: 1810 kg
Towing Capacity: 1500 max kg with brakes
Luggage: 463/888 litres
Fuel Tank Size: 45 litres
Performance / Statistics:
Fuel Usage l/100km l/1000km Range:
Average: 1.9 19 2368km
Dimensions (Exterior):
Length: 4655 mm
Width: 1810 mm
Height: 1680 mm
Wheelbase: 2670 mm
Ground clearance: 190 mm
Track, front: 1540 mm
Track, rear: 1540 mm
Dimensions (Interior):
Headroom Front/Rear: 928/872 mm
Shoulderroom Front/Rear: 1437/1425 mm
Legroom Front/Rear: 870/875 mm
Source: GoAuto’s New Car Buying Service
So if you got to the end of this post - well done. It has been a bit self indulgent on my part.
Again I will point out on a forum for full electric cars, I live in Bendigo Victoria, 146 kms from the closest level 2 charging station in Melbourne. If I had bought a LEAF, I do not think I could have driven it home. The PHEV will suit my needs just fine. And above all, my dear wife likes this car.
Goldie