Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2016, presentation and test drive in Valencia

2016 promises to be a great year for Mitsubishi. Proof of this is that we have barely been into the year for 20 days, and it has already unveiled its first big new development.

We are talking about the restyling of the Outlander, one of its most popular models today, which is being renewed to keep it at the top of the sales charts. Highmotor travelled to Valencia to test its greenest version, the PHEV, a plug-in hybrid.

Not long ago we published our first impressions of the new generation of the L200, which debuted as a completely new model; today it is the Outlander’s turn, which, although it does not get a new generation, is thoroughly modernised to improve its appeal, its image and its driving dynamics.

And, as mentioned before, Mitsubishi wants 2016 to be one of its best years. To that end, it wants to increase its sales volume so that it can eventually reach a 1% market share. In 2015, the brand of the three diamonds sold 9,700 cars, with the ASX, its flagship in terms of sales, dominating by a wide margin. Last year Mitsubishi sold 389 units of the Outlander PHEV.

For 2016, the brand’s intention is to triple the figure for the hybrid model, which means reaching 1,000 units of the Outlander PHEV alone, for a brand total of 11,650 units.

Exterior design

The exterior design is the most obvious part of the Outlander MY2016 redesign. The model sold until now already had a pleasing design, which had given the three-diamond marque a certain notability after a previous generation of the Outlander that had been rather “anodyne”.

The front modifies its structure, offering sharper headlights that blend more naturally with the grille. As a linking element, there are two chrome “lips” -called by the brand “Dynamic Shield”– running from the headlights down to the lower part of the bumper, emphasising the aggressiveness of the Japanese model’s nose.

Both the side and the rear have much lighter modifications, limited to new-design alloy wheels, wheel arches without black mouldings and light clusters with red backgrounds instead of the clear ones used until now. The rear bumper also gets more attractive shapes. New options are added to the body colour palette.

Interior design

In the interior the changes are less obvious. The finish of some pieces that previously looked out of place and were poorly built has been improved. The padded trims are now more present, thereby improving the perceived quality of the cabin. The fit remains correct, with acceptable ergonomics.

The instrument panel still offers a sort of “potentiometer” where we can see at any moment how far we are pressing the accelerator. A colour screen with numerous indications is also present. It keeps elements that set it apart from its siblings in the range, such as a steering wheel -new design and now heated- with fixed paddles in silver tones, as well as a gear knob that looks more like a joystick. Imitation wood mouldings are introduced for the doors and dashboard.

The seats are still very comfortable, with a correct firmness. They are upholstered in a mix of leather and Alcantara that is even more attractive, and they hold you better thanks to the redesign. The front seats are heated. The entertainment system is now easier and more intuitive to use, showing information of all kinds. Some rather “special” translations that stand out remain.

The cabin still has more than enough space for four people, with a centre seat that is somewhat less usable but capable, thanks to a transmission tunnel that is not too bulky. The boot still offers the same capacity as before, 498 litres, and the impossibility of offering seven seats, as its diesel-engined sibling does.

Engineering and technology

The Outlander PHEV is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, that is, it is capable of receiving electrical energy through an external socket, in this case a Schuko plug (for the mains socket) and SAE J1772 (on the car). It is not the only option available, as the Outlander also has a CHAdeMO socket for fast charging.

The powertrain of this model consists of a 2.0 naturally aspirated petrol internal combustion engine producing 121 CV. This is joined by an electric motor on the front axle with 82 CV and 137 Nm, as well as another electric motor on the rear axle with 82 CV and 195 Nm. There is also a 70 kW generator and a lithium-ion battery with a voltage of 300 V and a capacity of 12 kWh.

Thanks to this layout, the Outlander PHEV is an all-wheel-drive vehicle, though without the need for a driveshaft sending power to the rear axle. The NX300h we tested a few weeks ago has all-wheel drive of the same type.
The homologated consumption figure is 1.8 litres/100 km, although in carefree driving we will be around 5 litres

Its battery, located in the centre of the chassis, under the second-row seats, offers up to 52 km of range, with a top speed of 130 km/h. It recharges in 5 hours from a conventional socket, in 3.5 hours at a Wallbox, and if a fast charger is found, it can reach 80% charge in 30 minutes. The homologated consumption figures point to 1.8 litres every 100 km, equivalent to emissions of 42 grams/km.

The Outlander PHEV has three operating modes. There is pure electric mode, where the electric motors are always used unless an extraordinary amount of power is suddenly demanded, or speeds exceed 130 km/h.

If we want to conserve charge, there are the CHARGE modes, which charge the traction battery by running the petrol engine, and the SAVE mode, which keeps the charge at its current level. The gearbox does not offer “gears” as such, since once D is engaged there is only one speed. However, we can use six engine-braking modes, ranging from B0 to B5, operated by the paddles on the steering column. The higher the number, the greater the braking.

Driving dynamics

Time to get going. As with any hybrid, the start is smooth and silent. All it takes is pressing a button, and you’re ready. With a slight push of the joystick, we engage D and gain speed. The Outlander PHEV offers an ECO mode that reduces accelerator sensitivity and cuts the power of both the engine and other systems, such as the climate control, for example.

This mode is very comfortable in town, since in normal mode the car’s accelerator feels very responsive, sometimes too much. You want to pull away from traffic lights smoothly, and just brushing the accelerator gives a rather abrupt surge. The braking system is sufficient, with a first part of the pedal where the electric regeneration acts, and a second half where the normal discs and pads take over.

If the battery runs out, the car will drive like any other hybrid. We won’t notice excessive noise or roughness as long as we are not heavy-footed with the accelerator. In normal driving conditions, we achieved consumption figures of around 4 litres -starting from a fully charged battery-, although it is normal for that figure to rise to 5 to 5.5 litres every 100 km.

On a 69 km route set by the organisers, and trying to consume as little as possible, the on-board computer recorded 3.2 litres every 100 km, which gives a good account of the car’s ecological potential, especially considering that we reached our destination with 10 km of electric range remaining.

The car’s behaviour is similar to that of any other equivalent SUV. It presents no difficulties for its driver, showing a comfortable, family-friendly character with soft damping and very light steering. When we increase -or try to increase- the pace, the Outlander defends itself as best it can, making it clear that this is not its territory.

Inertia makes itself felt, the brakes fade quickly, and the damping, previously described as “soft”, becomes “too soft”, causing uncomfortable body oscillations. The stability and traction control systems are calibrated very conservatively, cutting in at the first hint of danger, very early.

Equipment and prices

The Outlander PHEV MY2016 changes its range compared with the one previously available. The Motion trim disappears, with only the top-of-the-range variant on offer, called Kaiteki. The people at Mitsubishi have added a lot of extra equipment to the new Outlander, such as a new unintended acceleration mitigation system (UMS).

Other standout features include Full LED headlights, a 360º camera, the Mitsubishi Remote Control smartphone app and a heated steering wheel. All this at a price that not only does not rise compared with the 2015 version, but drops substantially, falling below the 40,000€ barrier to sit, with aid included, at an astonishing 35,020€, 2,000€ less than the seven-seat diesel variant.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso