• First Drive: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

    by  • June 18, 2014 • Car Reviews, First Drives

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    2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV exterior front right static

    Prices for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV start from €41,950

    First things first – it’s pronounced P-H-E-V (not fev) – and it’s an SUV with a difference.

    Yes, the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle has arrived in Ireland and the Japanese car company says it’s the first of its kind in the world.

    Mitsubishi is billing it as a ‘game changer’ and describes it as a four-wheel drive that ‘offers midsize space and luxury with lower level running costs normally associated with a compact size’.

    And the figures are impressive. With CO2 of 44g/km, the PHEV is an SUV which lands in the €170 annual road tax bracket (the second lowest).

    Combined fuel economy is 1.9l/100km (subject to driving conditions) and charging the battery can cost as little as €1.20.

    The PHEV has three drive modes – EV, which is totally electric, Series Hybrid – a combination of EV and generator, and Parallel Hybrid Mode, in which the car is essentially driven by the 2.0-litre petrol engine.

    The car automatically chooses the most efficient mode.

    It also benefits from regenerative braking, in which motion energy is used to charge the battery.

    The Outlander PHEV has an EV range of 52km (total combined range 824km) and can travel at speeds of up to 120kph in EV. Its top speed is 170kph, and it has an 11 second 0-100kph acceleration time.

    There are a number of charging options, including on-street, home, and driver activated charging via the engine and generator.

    The Outlander PHEV can get an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes at a public Quick Charging unit.

    2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV interior cockpit

    The cabin in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a more luxurious version of the regular model

    Home options include a full charge in three to five hours, depending on the charger.

    The battery can be topped up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes via driver activated charging and the driver can also choose to save the battery if, for instance, they want to keep EV power for the city leg of their journey.

    Essentially an eco-friendly Outlander, the PHEV is differentiated by a unique front grille and bumpers as well as 18” alloys.

    We got a chance to take it for a quick spin at its Irish launch in Kildare last week and except for its silent start, stubby automatic gear stick, and fancy hybrid dials, it feels pretty much like a regular, if more luxurious, Outlander.

    It has the same comfortable, spacious interior, large boot and commanding driving position.

    It drives well too and our first impressions are that it looks and feels good – strong and powerful.

    However, with the amount of new technology in this car, we’ll reserve judgement until we get a chance to explore it more during a proper test session.

    Two trim levels are available in the Outlander PHEV – Intense+ and Instyle+.

    2014 MItsubishi Outlander PHEV interior boot

    Boot space is not sacrificed in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

    Standard equipment includes dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth handsfree system, electric windows, leatherette/cloth upholstery, a six-speaker radio/CD infotainment unit with USB port, rear parking sensors and automatic wipers.

    A pedestrian alarm system which alerts walkers to the vehicle’s presence when it’s in silent EV mode is also standard.

    Move up to the Instyle+ trim and you also get heated front seats, leather upholstery, an excellent reversing camera, SatNav and an electric sunroof as well as a PHEV Eco information unit and a PHEV mobile phone remote control app.

    Prices for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Intense+ start from €41,950, with prices for the Instyle+ trim starting from €47,450.

    The price includes battery cost as well as the €5,000 SEAI grant and Government VRT relief for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles.

    Visit the Mitsubishi Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.