The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has hit Australia with a new 2.4L petrol engine, more power from the electric motor system, and increased tech inside.
Starting with the powertrain, the petrol component is swapped from a 2.0-litre unit to a 2.4L. It produces 94kW and 199Nm, up from 87kW and 186Nm. The front electric motor continues to produce 60kW, while the rear electric motor produces 70kW. Providing the electric power is a new 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery, which is up from 12kWh. Mitsubishi hasn’t outlined the combined outputs.
Being a PHEV means users can plug the vehicle into a power socket and recharge the battery. On a standard type 1 socket the charge time is around 7 hours, or 3 hours on a type 2, or just 25 minutes with a DC fast-charger. With a full charge the Outlander PHEV offers an electric range of 54km.
The powertrain offers three main driving modes, including EV Priority, Series Hybrid, and Parallel Hybrid. These are activated automatically via the PHEV operating system to offer the most suitable delivery depending on the demands. Across the official combined cycle test the 2020 Outlander PHEV has a consumption rate of just 1.9L/100km.
Aside from the powertrain update, the 2020 Outlander PHEV comes with a new 8.0-inch touch-screen media interface inside, with two USB power ports for the rear passengers, new fabric for the seats, an updated interior lamp, and seat heating for the front.
Two trim lines are available, including the ES and the top Exceed. The Exceed adds sat-nav, speed limit display, and an eight-speaker sound system, as well as EVPS auxiliary power supply. Both now come with autonomous emergency braking as well, and a Sport driving mode, and an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. A five-star ANCAP safety rating has been applied to both. Senior manager of product strategy at Mitsubishi, Owen Thomson, said:
“Since its introduction, the Outlander PHEV has retained its DNA as the first PHEV to market, but it has improved a number of safety and technical features, as well as a number of efficiency and performance measures, all in response to customer feedback. It doesn’t hold owners back, or ask them to buy a second family car; it enhances the overall driving experience and improves their fuel expenditure, without them having to worry about driving range.”
The new model is on sale now from the following prices. Mitsubishi Australia provides a five-year/100,000km warranty, and an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the powertrain battery.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES (excluding on-roads): $46,990
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES (drive-away): $50,990
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed (excluding on-roads): $55,990
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Exceed (drive-away): $59,990
