The heavy and 4,70 meter long Outlander as a plug-in hybrid is enjoying a growing fan base. In the SUV with off-road qualities, it stands out from the purely conventional engines with a good third of all new registrations. The model maintenance measures primarily concerned increasing the electric range to up to 54 kilometers and the bidirectional use of the battery in everyday operation.
The Outlander has had some special features for years: It looks robust and powerful and can also have some off-road qualities. Compared to the smoothly ironed premium SUV, this makes it predestined for certain target groups who, in addition to a robust car, also regularly use the trailer. So it is hardly surprising that it is often used in trade or as a draft horse for horse trailers. The basic price for the plug-in hybrid is 39.990 euros. A downright unbeatable offer is available to buyers of a Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid Outlander until December 31, 2017, according to the manufacturer. Together with a promotional price advantage of € 8.500 offered by Mitsubishi Motors and the state (BAFA) environmental bonus of € 1.500, this results in a total price advantage of € 10.000. This enables an imputed entry-level price from 29.990 euros for models available from Mitsubishi dealers.
He also appears idiosyncratic with the concept with 3 motors for the drive. In addition to a 2-liter petrol engine with 121 PS (89 kW), two 82 PS electric motors (60 kW) are also working on the propulsion. The larger 12 kWh battery sits between the axles. The combustion engine drives the front axle, the two electric motors work on the front and rear axles according to requirements and driving conditions. A push button in the center console can be used to switch to permanent all-wheel drive. The off-road properties can then also be tested in this mode. Due to the relatively long wheelbase and the manageable ground clearance, the vehicle is primarily predestined for sandy stretches, the rain-washed surface or muddy paths. We chose the routes around the densely wooded Bissee with varied route profiles: from the soft forest routes to the furrowed dirt roads used by tractors.
Compared to the classic off-road vehicle, you have to make a few compromises, but the Outlander still traverses difficult terrain with the all-wheel drive switched on and can therefore also be used for forestry operations or rescue services under adverse conditions. If you are away from the tarred roads for the first time, the bidirectional battery use is also used. The highlight is in the rear of the vehicle. A 230-volt socket in the trunk at the height of the wheel arch supplies power of up to 1.500 watts. The practitioner can use a number of possible applications here. Recreational athletes or picnic fans can connect the electric grill, recharge an e-bike, use the cool box or connect LED lighting. The slightly increased capacity allows flexible use.
Off-road properties
But this is also where the crux lies: in heavy off-road use, the battery capacity can quickly run out. Therefore, the interaction of the three drive sources and the charging options of the battery must always be taken into account. Accordingly, you have to briefly familiarize yourself with the various modes. You can choose between “Charge” for charging the battery and “Save” for maintaining the battery capacity directly on the automatic selector lever. Purely electric propulsion can be selected for journeys in the environmental zones using the EV button. Then there is also an ECO mode for fuel-efficient driving. It is then driven to extremes with the automatic selector lever for the various recuperation levels, as each time you start your journey, you can reset between the driving modes and the recuperation modes.
The large consumption fluctuations then also move according to the driving style and the individual setting options described above. With a weight of over 2 tons, it is a leisurely draft horse with an acceleration of 11 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h. The maximum speeds are sealed off at 120 km / h in pure electric mode and a top speed of 170 km / h. The consumption values start between 5 and 6 liters when driving leisurely in ECO mode and quickly into the double-digit range with every higher load such as permanent all-wheel drive or trailer operation.
It looks a bit more limited in terms of payload. While there are hardly any restrictions in terms of loading volume, the permissible total weight of 2.340 kg already provides some guidelines for loading. The fact is that this drops from the basic equipment with 420 kg to the lavishly equipped "top" version with driver assistance package to a modest 358 kg. You have to calculate more precisely. After all, with the braked trailer load, up to 1.500 kg can be hooked as compensation.
Charging directly at the socket
You can safely charge it overnight at your home socket. The battery is fully charged within 5 hours. If a quick charging station is available, it can be charged to 25 percent of capacity within 80 minutes during a break in driving. In the long term, plug-in hybrid cars will be replaced by purely electric cars with more powerful batteries. Last year Renault-Nissan was the largest shareholder on board Mitsubishi and accordingly expectations of new all-electric cars at Mitsubishi have increased.
Conclusion
The Outlander as a plug-in hybrid is a classic crossover SUV with a variety of possible uses: from a five-seater to a two-seater with folded back seats and a flat loading area. The consumption values in the test were clearly above the 1,7 liters of premium gasoline specified in the brochure under heavy use. In the long-distance test, the selectable all-wheel drive has proven itself in trailer operation, especially on wet roads and in the off-road tests on various route profiles.
Addendum:
Field test Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV autumn 2017
More information and detailed details in the booklet.
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