Details of the new additions to Mitsubishi Australia’s showroom in 2014.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (April)
Due in April, the Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is a pointer to Mitsubishi’s design and engineering future. Australia’s first plug-in SUV will be powered by two 60kW electric motors at the front and rear and an 87kW 2.0-litre petrol engine that can act as a generator in ‘series’ mode or drive the wheels in ‘parallel’ mode at higher highway speeds. The Outlander PHEV sits 30mm lower than the standard car and its battery pack is located on the boot floor for a lower centre of gravity and – as we discovered when driving the car in Japan earlier this year – decent dynamics. The Outlander PHEV is able to run on electricity alone for 60km and up to 120km/h in that mode. With a full battery and fuel tank, it claims an 897km range. Prices are expected to start at around $50,000 for the entry-level variant and will likely approach $60,000 for the top-spec models
Mitsubishi Attrage (Q2)
Set to arrive in the second quarter of 2014, the Mitsubishi Attrage is an extended-wheelbase sedan version of the compact Mirage hatch. According to Mitsubishi, the car’s name blends the word ‘attractive’ with the model name ‘Mirage’. Power comes courtesy of the same 57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine used in the Mirage, driving the front wheels through either a five-speed manual or automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). Claimed combined cycle fuel economy is a miserly 4.6L/100km. Entry price for the Thai-built four-door is yet to be confirmed, but expect a starting price around $13,500 for the newest entrant to the hotly contested micro car segment.
