Mitsubishi XR-PHEV Concept is a chronicle of an Outlander Sport foretold [w/video]

Thu, 21 Nov 2013

Mitsubishi's current Outlander Sport has done a yeoman's job since it came on the market for the 2011 model year. The affordable crossover has been one of the few bright spots in the perennially troubled automaker's lineup – it's the brand's best seller in the US and sales are up nearly 40 percent this year. The subcompact CUV has become an increasingly important part of the Mitsubishi lineup, which is why you should pay attention to this XR-PHEV Concept – it's said to presage the next-generation model.

Stylistically, this is a pretty bold little CUV, with a striking face framed by bold zig-zags of chrome that underline the narrow headlamps and frame the massive lower fascia. The profile has a dramatically tapered greenhouse with bold sheetmetal contours and a funky blacked-out A-pillar that emphasizes the hood's height. The rear end is no less dramatic, with dual-pane rear tailgate with a particularly fast rake.

As shown here, the XR-PHEV (pronounced "Cross Runner") is a four-seat CUV that motivates its front wheels through a turbocharged 1.1-liter, three-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower paired with a 120-kW electric motor. In pure-electric mode, the 14-kWh battery is said to be good for 52 miles of cruising range and the combined fuel economy bogey is 66 miles per gallon on Japan's lenient testing cycle.

How much of this front-wheel drive hybrid's design carries over to the next Outlander Sport is anyone's guess, but the plan is for the model to arrive within the next three years and be available in both gas-only and plug-in hybrid formats, not unlike its big brother, the Outlander.

CONCEPT XR-PHEV

Nimble, smart and highly protective, the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV boasts an athletic body with dynamic front-to-side character lines. Its newly developed FF-type Plug-in Hybrid EV System and more advanced active safety technology, made possible by Connected Car technology, deliver excellent agility, safety and eco performance. It's a unique and spirited urban driving encounter.
Experience the reliability and satisfaction of driving the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV.

CONNECTED
The incorporated Connected Car technology brings greater peace of mind. By accurately updating driving information, it supports eco driving and provides predictive maintenance and repair advice, letting drivers focus on driving so they can fully enjoy the driving experience.

FF PHEV SYSTEM
Based on our renowned EV technology, this FF-type Plug-in Hybrid EV System is configured with a 1.1-liter inline 3-cylinder direct-injection turbocharged MIVEC engine. Mounting the engine and motor in front reduces power loss to realize higher performance and eco-friendliness. The vehicle also automatically selects the optimum driving mode (EV Drive Mode, Series Hybrid Mode or Parallel Hybrid Mode) depending on conditions.

SPECIFICATION : CONCEPT XR-PHEV

By Chris Paukert