This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Auto-biographies Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV


by Tim Barnes-Clay Motoring Writer at www.carwriteups.co.uk


The Mitsubishi PHEV may look like a normal Outlander, but hiding behind the mask is the most technologically advanced Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) on the car market. ‘PHEV’ stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It means the SUV can be fed by electricity from a domestic socket to power electric motors that are supported by a petrol engine.


Two electric motors drive the front and rear axle separately while batteries allow electricity-only driving at up to 75mph. Beyond that pace, or should the battery pack drain to less than 30 per cent of its charge, a 2.0-litre petrol engine kicks in to life. It acts as a generator to help the PHEV accomplish a total driving range of approximately 500 miles on a full tank.


The Outlander PHEV is also the most fuel effi cient four-wheel drive. That’s astounding for a family-size car that tips the scales at a bulky 1810kg, and seats fi ve.


As a global fi rst, the Outlander PHEV also has no direct adversary. The closest is the Lexus RX450h, though it can’t be recharged via a powerpoint and cannot run on electricity alone.


Befi tting its fi rst-class status in the Outlander range, the PHEV is very well stacked with kit. It has 18 inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing auto headlamps, touch-screen with satellite navigation and reversing camera, climate control, parking sensors and seven airbags. The fl agship GX4hs was driven for this review and the model comes with additional features such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. The latter squeals at you if it detects you’ve drifted across the road’s white dividing lines.


40


If you’re used to a standard car, it’s going to be a peculiar experience the fi rst time you gently push the gearstick over to the right into ‘D’ and drive off in silence. Even sharp jabs of the throttle produce the same amount of hush, though that has its rewards – the audio unit is only average, so at least there’s plenty of clarity in the quiet cabin.


The Outlander PHEV isn’t rapid from a standing start, but tremendous pulling power makes up for it once you get going. Initial acceleration suff ers simply because of the heavy jumble of battery and electric motors that the standard Outlander doesn’t possess.


When you need to recharge on the move, all you need to do is hit the ‘Charge’ switch behind the joystick, which fi res up the four- cylinder engine to replenish the battery. A single charge via a powerpoint takes fi ve hours, which could cost you next to nothing depending on the hours you choose to plug in to the grid.


Inside, it’s pretty much standard Outlander layout apart from the joystick-style gearstick and electric charging buttons. The tachometer has also been replaced by a power meter, which shows when you’re charging-up the battery, using the battery, or running the engine.


Behind the wheel, body control is good for an SUV of this weight as the Outlander PHEV profi ts from Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC). This is a system that ensures maximum stability when cornering.


Indeed, for its green, yet powerful talents, Mitsubishi’s PHEV is an SUV that many British families will take to their hearts.


To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e. the.wire@btinternet.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100