Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi is first out of the blocks in the UK with a frugal plug-in hybrid SUV

摘要

IF YOU WANT to buy an electrified car, there is a plentiful choice. If you want to buy an SUV EV, there's very little choice beyond mild hybrids such as the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover, with very limited electric-only range. Until April, that is, when the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV arrives to carve a niche out all for itself. The thinking is simple: the superficially near-conventional Outlander gains a floor-mounted battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. It can be plugged into the wall and charged, or the 2.0-litre petrol motor can be used as a generator. Full electric power is available for up to 32.5 miles, even at speeds beyond 70mph, and the ICE can also chip in to drive the wheels.