Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Go with the flow

Although the development of hybrids has increased in recent years, it is probably not yet the time for them to permanently settle in our garages. Why? Let's think about testing the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV version.

Hybrid fashion is in full swing, but Mitsubishi reminds us that they have been working on this topic for a long time. They are right. They chose this development path almost 50 years ago, in 1966, when they introduced the Minica EV to the world. The circulation of this baby was very small, as it could not even exceed 10 pieces, but what matters is that this type of idea could already be moving on the roads at that time. History remembers at least one Mitsubishi EV model in the decades after the 70s, and the closer we get to today, the more interesting ideas Mitsubishi showed. How seriously the Japanese took this idea is shown by the example of the i-MiEV model, which went through several years of long-distance testing, driving more than 500 kilometers, before going into production. km. Other manufacturers, Peugeot and Citroen, actively used this idea. Electric all-wheel drive appeared in the special version of the Lancer Evolution MIEV. This sports sedan was equipped with four motors located directly next to the wheels, resulting in fully independent all-wheel drive. After so many years of experience and testing, we are finally introduced to the newest production model - Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV... How it works?

Where is the current?

Some manufacturers of hybrid versions of conventional models like to make them stand out. Porsche added green calipers to the Panamera S E-Hybrid, but this is not allowed here. Mitsubishi clearly doesn't want the Outlander PHEV to be associated as a temporary curiosity, but rather as another model to complete the offering. Therefore, the presence of an electric motor under the hood is indicated only by the corresponding badge on the tailgate and on the sides, but above all by one characteristic element. Well, if you forget which side your fuel filler neck is on, you will actually always be right about something. Slippers are located on both sides, and the difference is hidden only under them. On the left side is a traditional filler neck, on the other side is a socket for electric charging, which will be discussed later. One of the features of the Outlander PHEV is its color. Of course, we can choose from several options, but all press materials are dominated by metallic blue, which also appeared in our editorial office. Maybe he was referring to the blue sky that we will see thanks to hybrids? In addition to these subtle changes, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV looks like any other Outlander. Maybe it's good that we don't make a big splash out of one model, but this is a rather specific version that could definitely be a little more different from its counterparts.

Let me go there!

The latest generation Outlander has grown significantly. The dimensions of the car can make parking a little difficult, but in return we get a lot of space inside. There's so much space, in fact, that it's safe to assume that Mitsubishi is targeting the US market with this model. Although SUVs from across the ocean are much larger and have a strong position there, many Americans love electric cars. Now they can buy their favorite hybrid SUV. What has changed inside? In fact, a little - we will feel the difference only in the form of the gear lever, because here the continuously variable transmission has taken over the traditional solutions. Outlander has already been on our site several times, so we won’t focus too much on the interior, but I can’t indifferently pass by one thing. The test version of the equipment is INSTYLE NAVI, that is, a version equipped with a multimedia system with navigation built into the center console. Just as traveling in this car is quite pleasant and you can’t complain about the lack of space, so you can and even need to complain about this navigation. First of all, there is often an option on the menu with an incredibly long name, which, after shortening some words, is unlike anything that could exist in the Polish Dictionary. Second, the keyboard. So that you do not have to bother with searching for individual letters, our Mitsubishi will highlight only those keys under which the following streets are located. Not too early. You don't have to be from Warsaw to know that Emilia Plater Street is a fairly typical route of this city. As a rule, I walk along it to get to the parking lot at the Palace of Culture and Science, but here I relied only on my memory and, as such, on my metropolitan orientation. Why? I hasten to explain. Got to enter the address, entered the city - yes. I start writing the street - “Er…m…i…l…” - and at about this moment the letter “I” that I would like to use next disappears. Let's start from the other side. "P ... l ... a ..." - next to it is "C", "T" does not want to appear. Maybe this is a defect in the test sample, maybe I did something wrong, or maybe the system works like that. And in a modern hybrid that evokes slightly futuristic thoughts, the appearance of a multimedia panel that does not work perfectly can be a little disappointing.

After all, there will be a curiosity the most modern. For Android or iOS smartphones, we can download the Mitsubishi Remote Control app, which seems to be quite useful. You park in front of the house, plug the PHEV into a power outlet, and then… connect it to your home Wi-Fi. The phone operates on the same network and can thus remotely control some of the car's functions. Thus, you plan the charging activation so that you get to the settlement at a nightly rate, set a charge delay, or at least check how much time is left until the batteries are fully charged. Right from your bed, you can also schedule the electric heating of the passenger compartment to start, or just turn it on at breakfast, knowing that you will soon take your place in the driver's seat. Simple, ingenious and, above all, very comfortable.

Hybrid 4×4

As we already know, Mitsubishi has experimented with hybrids before, and among them was an electric alternative to the Lancer Evolution. Thanks to the experience gained during the creation of this model, in the Outlander PHEV we can also enjoy all-wheel drive, designated as Twin Motor 4WD. Behind this name lies a rather tricky layout, in no way resembling the classic implementation of a 4 × 4 drive - but in order. As is the case with hybrids, the classic internal combustion engine could not do without. Here, its function is performed by a 2-liter DOHC engine, which develops 120 hp. and 190 Nm at 4500 rpm and - mind you - it only drives the front axle. The same axle is additionally supported by an electric motor, while the rear axle is always driven by an electric motor. It is activated by the driver depending on the driving situation, for example when overtaking uphill or driving at higher speeds. The advantage of electric motors lies in the extra power they can give to an internal combustion engine. The maximum torque of the front engine is 135 Nm, and the rear engine is as much as 195 Nm. If we anticipate off-road driving or, more likely for most Outlander owners, we will be driving on slippery surfaces, we press the 4WD Lock button and drive in a mode corresponding to the locking center differential in a classic four-wheel drive car. drive. It is this mode that will provide an even distribution of torque to all four wheels, which means it will significantly increase stability on the track and allow you to confidently drive the car even in more difficult conditions.

Even though the Outlander is not light at over 1,8 tons, it rides well. Quite quickly for this class of car, it reacts to steering movements and changes direction without excessive body tilt. This, of course, is due to the clever placement of the batteries, which in the PHEV run under the floor, while lowering the center of gravity. However, the driving experience leaves mixed feelings. The continuously variable transmission used here gives a very high driving comfort, although at first the lack of jerks, when we expect it, seems like a rather strange sensation. We get used to such a smooth ride, but it is weighed down by the not-so-pleasant howl of the engine every time we are forced to accelerate hard. The impression is unusual in that the engine howls, and due to the fact that we do not feel any gears, we do not really feel acceleration. So it seems like the car is driving as it was, but the speedometer needle is still growing. Unfortunately, it cannot be extended too far, because the maximum speed of the Outlander PHEV is only 170 km/h. Add to that a 100-11 mph time of 9,9 seconds according to the manufacturer and 918 seconds according to our measurements, and we immediately get the main reason combustion motorization fans oppose hybrids. They are just slower - at least at this stage of development or in this price range, because the Porsche 1 Spyder or McLaren PXNUMX is pretty hard to call cars for everyone.

However, hybrids provide a good opportunity to save on fuel. As in cars of this type, we have several buttons that change the mode of operation, which of course also affects fuel consumption. We have a charging mode at our disposal, which tries to limit the use of the electric motor in exchange for charging the batteries; Savings to conserve battery power by using the motor less frequently; and finally, nothing but Eco, which optimizes drive and air conditioner performance for the most efficient and environmentally friendly operation. What does it look like in practice? Normal or Eco mode can reduce city fuel consumption to less than 1L/100km and keep it below 5L/100km at all times – whether on the road or in the city. However, things get more complicated when we switch to Charge mode, because this one is based only on an internal combustion engine, which, in turn, does not work optimally for it without gears. This, in turn, translates into fuel consumption worthy of a sports car, not an urban hybrid, because 15-16 liters per 100 kilometers is a big exaggeration. Battery Save behaves similarly, but sometimes it allows itself to be supported by an electrician - here, combustion, unfortunately, will also be unsatisfactory - about 11-12 liters per 100 kilometers. Fortunately, driving in these two modes is quite rare.

Unlike many hybrids, we can charge batteries from a wall socket. The plug is located under the same cover as the filler on the left side, and the cable is included as standard in a special case with the PHEV logo. Installation of the cable is very simple - just plug one end into a car outlet, and the other into a regular household 230V outlet. However, things get a little more complicated if we don't have a garage with access to a power source. Not bad for residents of single-family houses - in the summer you can run a cable from the living room through the window. However, if you live in an apartment building, there is a good chance that you are parking in a place that is not directly connected to electricity. And imagine that at this moment you are dragging a homemade extension cable from the 10th floor to the parking lot, and in the morning you find that the neighbors children played a trick on you again and disconnected the cable. This form of charging will remain the domain of Western countries for some time to come, but if you have the ability to charge the Outlander PHEV from the mains, this is a very practical solution.

Direction: Future

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV it is a rather innovative structure, full of thoughtful and practical solutions. Maybe it could burn a little less in Charge and Economy modes, but as a hybrid it does just fine, and it's an all-wheel-drive hybrid to boot. It drives well, has a very spacious interior, a large trunk and a raised suspension, which means that it offers almost everything that a future SUV owner can expect from a car.

And everything would be fine if we didn’t look at the price list. It is expensive. Too expensive. Prices for regular Outlanders start at 82 2.2. zloty However, we don't have to follow the line of lowest resistance - the most expensive model in the showroom is the 150 diesel engine with 151bhp. costs 790 zlotys. And how much do showrooms cost for the PHEV version? PLN 185 base. The test version with Instyle Navi equipment costs 990 zlotys, and Instyle Navi + costs as much as 198 zlotys. There will probably be fans of this model, but I imagine they will be from a small group of hybrid car enthusiasts. Those who begin to calculate this purchase may, unfortunately, not consider the return on investment, which in turn leaves the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the circle of niche cars for the elite. The days of the classic internal combustion engine may be numbered, but manufacturers may have to do a little work on their price lists before they end.