Mitsubishi: Plug-in Outlander confirmed for NZ

The hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander SUV will arrive in New Zealand next year. Photo / Supplied

Mitsubishi has revealed it will launch the plug-in hybrid version of its new Outlander in New Zealand next year - just months after petrol and diesel versions of the popular SUV are launched.

The latest version of the popular 5/7-seat SUV, which was revealed at the Geneva motor show last week, is expected to be eco-friendlier than ever, with fuel efficiency and CO2 emission levels among the best in its class.

The new-generation Outlander is being built in Russia and will be sold there first, in the Northern summer, and is targeted to arrive in New Zealand in late 2012, with a choice of high-efficiency petrol and diesel engines. Variants using Mitsubishi's Plug-in Hybrid EV system will follow.

More than 7000 Outlanders have been sold in New Zealand since the 2006 launch of the second generation.

As revealed in Geneva, the new Outlander in production form has stayed true to the style of the PX-MiEV II concept hybrid vehicle shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, including a distinctive "solid" grille between the headlights with hockey-stick motifs.

European-market models will be powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces only 110kW of power at 6000rpm and 195Nm of torque from 4100rpm - much less than the 125kW and 226Nm of our 2.4-litre unit - or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel that also produces 110kW (at 3500rpm) but a hefty 360Nm at 1500-2750rpm.

Both are available with an idle-stop function.

Although the petrol model makes do with a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT), the diesel comes with a six-speed manual or a new six-speed auto.

Mitsubishi said the plug-in hybrid version would initially go on sale in Japan later this year, followed by Europe and New Zealand in 2013.

The Outlander Hybrid has an innovative flexible drivetrain configuration that enables it to operate in electric-only mode, as a range-extender or with petrol engine power direct to the wheels.

In pure "EV" form, two 60kW electric motors (front and rear) drive all four wheels independently according to conditions, with a range of up to 50km.

As a "Series hybrid", a 70kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine acts as a generator, recharging the batteries on the move once charge levels drop below a certain point, range-extender style.

And in "Parallel hybrid" mode, the petrol engine drives the front wheels with or without help from the electric motors at higher speeds or when strong acceleration is required.

The third-generation Outlander runs on the same 2670mm wheelbase as the outgoing model, is the same 1800mm wide and 1680mm high (plus 40mm for the roof-rails that are standard in Australia), but is 10mm longer than before at 4665mm.

With fold-flat second-row seats that provide a more useable cargo area, Mitsubishi claims the load length is 335mm longer than the current model and easier to access because of the adoption of a powered one-piece tailgate.

Other features appearing for the first time on Outlander include adaptive cruise control, a lane-departure warning system, more powerful "wide-vision" Xenon headlights and a collision-avoidance system that automatically applies the brakes when it detects an object ahead. It will also introduce dual-zone air-conditioning, a 50/50 split-fold rear seat and reach adjustment for the steering wheel (the current model only tilts).